Upcoming courses and events

August 25, 2025

60 Lowther St, Toronto

It has been 26 years since Hugo Chávez first assumed the presidency of Venezuela in 1999. Since then, Venezuela has gone through enormous ups and downs, and mostly downs since Nicolas Maduro took over from Chavez following his death in 2013. Given Venezuela’s current challenging situation, what lessons can be drawn from the Bolivarian Revolution for future revolutionary projects? And what is the meaning of the Bolivarian project in the larger context of Latin American politics in the 21st century more generally? What do these lessons mean for socialist organizing and activism today?

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is honoured to be hosting Gregory Wilpert, author and longtime journalist covering Venezuela, for a special talk and discussion to explore these questions and more. 

Please stick around after Gregory’s talk for complimentary refreshments and to continue the discussion! 

Gregory Wilpert is a German-American sociologist and journalist who has covered Latin America extensively for a wide variety of publications. He holds a Ph.D. in sociology (Brandeis University, 1994) and is the author of the book Changing Venezuela by Taking Power: The History and Policies of the Chávez Government (Verso Books, 2007). He is co-founder of the website Venezuelanalysis.com, was director of the teleSUR English website, and was host and managing editor for The Real News Network for five years (2016-2020). His forthcoming book project (in 2026, with Bloomsbury) is titled “Consciousness for the Post-Capitalist Commons”.


This event is being organized by the Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education and the Socialist Project.


Accessibility

Friends House is accessible to wheelchairs via the automatic door at the back, north east entrance off of the parking lot, and via the automatic door at the Meeting Room entrance at the front on the west side of the house, from Lowther Ave. We kindly ask all participants to refrain from wearing scents or perfumes. Further venue accessibility information can be found here.

Any questions regarding accessibility, participation, or programming can be directed to info@leopanitchschool.ca.

August 13, 2025

Toronto, ON

A Ten Week Course for Union and Community Activists Facilitated by John Clarke, Former Organizer with the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP).

Unions and social movements today are operating in a very challenging situation. There is great economic uncertainty, the worsening impact of climate change and a global situation marked by the growing threat of conflict and war. When workers strike or communities under attack take to the streets, it seems that victories are much much harder to win and past gains more difficult to defend.

This course will grapple with these questions by looking at the forms of exploitation and oppression that exist in society and the means by which the power structure acts to limit and contain our struggles. The course will move towards a discussion of how our movements can overcome the factors that hold them back and to fight to win!

This is not a ‘how to organize’ course, as important as these are. It is intended for activists who realize that the methods of struggle that were developed at an earlier time need to give way to more powerful and effective forms of social resistance.
Instead of lengthy lectures, each session will involve in-depth and participatory group discussions of the issues under consideration. The knowledge and lived experiences of those participating will be a vital part of the course. This will be true both for longtime organizers and for those just now dipping their toes in the world of activism

All are welcome to apply to participate! If the applications reach capacity, participants will be selected to ensure a diversity of backgrounds and activist experience. There will be some optional readings and other sources but this is not an academic course and as such readings will not be mandatory.

When: Mondays 6pm-8pm beginning September 8 (See course outline for full schedule)
Where: Bloor-Yonge area of Toronto – Location to be shared upon registration

This course is being offered primarily as an in-person course. Participation options for those who may have to miss sessions of the course will be made available. The venue for the course has a scent-free policy and is wheelchair accessible.
To allow for broader participation, the course is being offered free of charge for all participants. However, donations from those with the means will be gratefully accepted. Contributions can be made by getting in touch with us or visiting
leopanitchschool.ca/donate .

Fighting to Win is presented by the Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education. Operating since 2023, the school strives to provide radical, accessible, and practical educational programming for those seeking to better understand and address the crisis of our current times.

August 28, 2025

Eyesore Cinema, Toronto

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is very pleased to present L’Argent (1983) as the first installment in our special series of film screenings on the topic of money. 

A forged 500-franc note is cynically passed from person to person and shop to shop, until it falls into the hands of a genuine innocent who doesn’t see it for what it is – which will have devastating consequences on his life, causing him to turn to crime and murder…  

Partially inspired by the writings of Leo Tolstoy, L’Argent represents the last film made by acclaimed French director Robert Bresson. Often considered a masterpiece, the film is a sweeping exploration of the destructive power of money. The film will be presented in French with English subtitles. 

FilmSocial screenings are always presented free-of-charge. This is only made possible through contributions from our participants and supporters. We are grateful for any cash donations made at the event. Likewise, we encourage those who are able to consider becoming a monthly donor via leopanitchschool.ca/donate. 

Accessibility Information
Eyesore Cinema’s screening room is on the main floor of a storefront. While there is stair-free access, the floor is uneven and may not be suitable for mobility devices. Washrooms are located in the basement of the store and are not wheelchair accessible.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@leopanitchschool.ca with any questions or concerns regarding accessibility at this event.

September 29, 2025

Eyesore Cinema, Toronto

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is proud to present Force of Evil (1948) as the second installment in our special series of film screenings on the topic of money. 

Lawyer Joe Morse wants to consolidate all the small-time numbers-racket operators into one big powerful operation. But his elder brother Leo is one of these small-time operators who wants to stay that way, preferring not to deal with the gangsters who dominate the big time. He wants nothing to do with his little brother’s scheme and nothing to do with gangsters. But Joe won’t give him a choice. Joe has a strong will–strong enough to make the sweet and innocent Doris fall in love with him. But he’s still too weak to turn straight and save himself, and everyone connected to him, from disaster. 

Featuring powerhouse performances from Beatrice Pearson and John Garfield, Force of Evil is a masterpiece of American film and is often considered the high point of the film-noir genre. The film was the last contribution from director Abraham Polonsky before he was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee and subsequently blacklisted by the industry for his refusal to divulge the names of fellow Communist Party members. 

A highly influential film even to this day, Force of Evil serves as a highly entertaining example of the ‘Red’ films of the 1940’s, as well as a window into the history of modern cinema. 
The film will be presented in English with subtitles. 

FilmSocial screenings are always presented free-of-charge. This is only made possible through contributions from our participants and supporters. We are grateful for any cash donations made at the event. Likewise, we encourage those who are able to consider becoming a monthly donor via leopanitchschool.ca/donate. 

Accessibility Information
Eyesore Cinema’s screening room is on the main floor of a storefront. While there is stair-free access, the floor is uneven and may not be suitable for mobility devices. Washrooms are located in the basement of the store and are not wheelchair accessible.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@leopanitchschool.ca with any questions or concerns regarding accessibility at this event.

October 29, 2025

Eyesore Cinema, Toronto

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is excited to present Wall Street (1987) as the final installment in our special series of film screenings on the topic of money. 

“Greed, for lack of a better word, is Good” 

On the Wall Street of the 1980s, Bud Fox is a stockbroker full of ambition, doing whatever he can to make his way to the top. Admiring the power of unsparing corporate raider Gordon Gekko, Fox entices Gekko into mentoring him by providing insider trading. As Fox becomes embroiled in greed and underhanded schemes, his decisions eventually threaten the livelihood of his scrupulous father. Faced with this dilemma, Fox questions his loyalties. 

Directed and co-written by Oliver Stone, Wall Street is a classic portrayal of capitalist excess, power, and the desire for wealth above all else. A radical viewing of the film provides not just a critique of stocktraders who take their ruthlessness too far, but an indictment of the system that allows – and rewards – their greed in the first place. 

The film will be presented in English with subtitles. 

FilmSocial screenings are always presented free-of-charge. This is only made possible through contributions from our participants and supporters. We are grateful for any cash donations made at the event. Likewise, we encourage those who are able to consider becoming a monthly donor via leopanitchschool.ca/donate. 

Accessibility Information
Eyesore Cinema’s screening room is on the main floor of a storefront. While there is stair-free access, the floor is uneven and may not be suitable for mobility devices. Washrooms are located in the basement of the store and are not wheelchair accessible.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@leopanitchschool.ca with any questions or concerns regarding accessibility at this event.