Published 08 September 2026 · By People's University Committee

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Our Objectives

The People’s University Project is an organization which aims to democratically intervene in the activities of the masses in the greater Vancouver area in order to raise their political and class consciousness, promote working class self-activity in the process of building revolutionary mass organizations, and produce ideological theory that responds to contemporary problems.

These interventions are based on scientific study of society and can take the form of:

• public position papers investigating, analyzing, and contributing to theoretical understanding of problems manifesting in local movement spaces and broader society,
• political and ideological education to support the development of organizers, workers and rank-and-file members engaged in building mass organizations,
• popular education and events to raise the political and class consciousness of the masses, and/or
• participation in organizations to nurture strengthen and build their political character and eventually their mass character and raise their revolutionary activity.

Why science?

We aim for our method to be a scientific one! But what is science? Well, we would give a definition which affirms that:

1. The object of a science is a form of matter in motion. 
2. The task of a science is to move from the appearance of its object (i.e., its observable features, quantitative and qualitative) to the essence of its object (i.e., its essential characteristics and relations, its laws of motion).
3. The method for producing a scientific theory is first to investigate in order to document the appearance of the object of study, i.e., to establish a set of empirical facts that describe it; and then, on the basis of this, to analyze in order to uncover the essence of the object of study, i.e., to develop rational arguments that describe its essential nature and laws of motion.
4. The procedure for scientific analysis is first one of deconstructive abstraction and its result is the simplest abstract conceptions that form the basis of a scientific theory; this is followed by a process of reconstructive concretization and its result is a complex, concrete conception of the object of study.
5. The correctness of a scientific theory is determined in social practice, i.e., peer-reviewed experiment, social production, and class struggle. A correct scientific theory constitutes scientific knowledge. 
6. The material form of scientific knowledge is information. The ideological content of scientific knowledge is the rigorous proof of the correctness of scientific theories.  
7. The progress of scientific knowledge is the result of a struggle between theories that are, in relative terms, correct and incorrect. This struggle unfolds and expresses itself in the process of the exposition and critique of scientific theories but, in the end, is determined in the crucible of social practice. 
8. Science is an ideological project borne of the struggle between society and nature and the attendant necessity of developing the society’s productive forces.

Investigation and analysis, then, are key components of the People’s University’s method. In particular, our object of study, society, requires that we conduct social investigation and class analysis (SICA) as well as economic investigation and politico-economic analysis. These forms of investigation and analysis are the most important aspect of the committee’s work. 

Furthermore, we aim for our method to be one that centers genuine dialogue and struggle. We understand that struggling against the capitalist class requires unity and that our internal unity is itself built by struggling with one another, by engaging in genuine dialogue. Therefore, in order to resolve the disagreements (or even social conflicts) that emerge within the cohort, we intend to approach them through the framework unity-struggle-unity. That is, we intend to approach disunity by returning to our already established principles of unity, by struggling over the question at hand (be it ideological, political, organizational, interpersonal, or otherwise), and uniting on a deeper level based on what we learn by struggling over things and facilitating dialogue. Moreover, one of the primary frameworks we intend to employ in navigating disagreement among members is that of constructive criticism and self-criticism. This means distinguishing between objective observations (i.e. descriptions of what people have said or done) and subjective feelings interpretations; it means identifying what people should say or do instead; and it means explaining the purpose for this recommendation.

Style of work

• In carrying out the work of the committee, we aim to be principled while also being non-sectarian. Humility and comradeliness are key ingredients here!
• The durability of our work requires a division that is equitable, a division that is based on the ability and capacity of the committee’s membership. Our division of work also bears on our ability to build democracy and centralism in the organization, key features of a durable unity. For these reasons, decisions about our division of work, especially those related to its expansion (quantitative) and evolution (qualitative), should be approached with care for the committee’s membership as well as a long-range, strategic awareness.
• Our work must stay grounded in a love for, faith in, and trust of the broad masses of exploited and oppressed people. They are the makers of history! This fact is the basis for any real hope in a better future for humanity, and this hope must be a discipline for leaders of the people. Our work should inspire hope for a better world!
• Interpersonal harm is an inevitable part of being in community, and we’re committed to responding to it in ways that promote real healing, accountability, and growth.
• The compass that guides our work is the interests and welfare of the broad masses of exploited and oppressed people, especially those in the city we share. Local working-class struggles are struggles of the working class the world over.

Membership

General members of the People’s University Project(PUP) are members that are interested in the work of PuP and want to support the project at a more casual level. General members:

1. Have a stated interest in making a scientific analysis of society. 

2. If a general member is interested in independently writing, publishing, or publicly studying things related to the Points of Unity of PUP, they are expected to setup a way to collaborate with the People’s University Committee (PUC) through:

   • Submitting the work to PUC for review and feedback
   • Collaborating with PUC in hosting events
3. Are interested in providing feedback on the materials produced by PUC. Prior to publishing materials or hosting events, PUC will host meetings to get feedback on slides & papers.

4. Interested in attending PUP events. Expected to attend 2-3 events of PUP per year OR one course hosted by PUP per year.

   • This can include the courses done by PUC, such as Organizer School, Code against the Machine & course Political Economy
5. Can make proposals to PUP
6. Can request to attend PUP meetings
7. Are encouraged to join working groups focused on position papers where they can contribute insights, offer critical feedback, or assume responsibility for scientific investigation and the drafting of specific sections.
8. Can access materials produced by PUC if requested.
9. Are encouraged to write and share reports about their experiences in political organizations and comment on the political, organizational, and ideological character of said experiences

Cinema and Struggle

Cinema & Struggle is a committee of the People’s University Project. It was established in Summer of 2026 to host popular movies and hold political discussions around these movies. We’re now opening up our membership to anyone that wants to join. If you’re someone who has a passion for cinema, and wants to facilitate political discussion around it, join us. Fill in this form to sign up.