In conversation with Marshall Ganz: “People, Power, Change: Organizing for Democratic Renewal”

"People, Power, Change: Organizing for Democratic Renewal"
A conversation between Marshall Ganz one of the world’s leading voices in the field of community and political organizing and democratic leadership, and Borja Santos, Vice dean of IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs.
👉 Don’t miss this unique opportunity to
Join Marshall Ganz—legendary community organizer, Harvard professor, and author of People, Power, Change—in conversation with Borja Santos, Vice Dean of SPEGA, for a powerful dialogue on how to reclaim democratic capacity in an era of fragmentation and disconnection. Rooted in decades of experience, Ganz presents a bold, actionable framework for collective action grounded in relationships, narrative, strategy, structure, and accountability. This conversation will explore how we can move from disillusionment to impact—and why organizing is more relevant than ever.
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Brief profile
Marshall Ganz is a renowned professor at Harvard University and one of the most influential voices in the field of community organizing and democratic leadership.
He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, where he teaches courses on leadership, organizing, and civil society. But his influence goes far beyond academia.
Why is he important?
In the 1960s, Ganz left Harvard as an undergraduate to join the civil rights movement in the U.S. South, working with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
He later became a key strategist with César Chávez and the United Farm Workers (UFW) in California, helping to lead one of the most impactful labor organizing efforts in U.S. history.
He also played a key role in training organizers for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, shaping its grassroots energy and strategy.
He returned to Harvard decades later to complete his degree and earned a PhD in sociology, combining real-world activism with academic rigor.
Signature Contribution:
Ganz developed the framework of “public narrative”, a tool for leadership and mobilization that emphasizes the power of storytelling:
Story of Self (why you are called to act)
Story of Us (shared values and experiences)
Story of Now (the urgent challenge requiring action)
Author of:
People, Power, Change (2024) – his major work summarizing decades of experience and providing a practical guide for organizing democratic action.
In short: Marshall Ganz is a bridge between movement and method, teaching not just why change is needed, but how to make it happen.

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