The second series of our community building program 'Collective Practice' will explore questions around urban animal welfare in the UAE and the urban liminality and challenges experienced by their caregivers. Through a selection of readings and roundtable discussions with scholars, activists and residents we will gather to discuss potential pathways towards seeding responsibility, cultural shifts and collective action towards urban animal and community welfare giving. Discussions will be facilitated to engage scholars, community volunteers and rescuers, and organizations respectively to share perspectives on the complexities of urban animal welfare in the UAE.

The program has limited seats for participants to facilitate focused discussions over the course of two months and produce a shared and developed outcome. Each session will integrate selected readings to inform its dialogue and discussion. We encourage applications from individuals who are currently engaged in various forms of urban animal care and rescue, community organizing and urban design interventionism.

'Collective practice' is aimed to hold space for exercising alternative actions and approaches to research. By sharing literature, knowledge and experiences we hope to challenge the silos of socio-urban discourse and relate to others through connection and active understanding.

This series is part of a longer term initiative to foster a balanced civic forum to stimulate dialogue and collaboration. It is intended to create a space for exchange across communities with common interests improving towards urban conditions and critically examining urban policies.