Sindhanai’s Post

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What makes a #socialmovement? Is it classified based on a checklist of black-and-white criteria, or does the term point to something deeper - perhaps an entirely different way of thinking? We define collectives as entities that may or may not be termed ‘social movements’, but use the “social movement approach” which is driven by a shared understanding of these problems, sustained by internal leadership emerging from within the affected communities, and marked by a mix of spontaneous and semi-planned actions. The change that these entities desire typically conflicts with, and is often resisted by the values and norms of mainstream society. This inherent conflict is precisely why social movements exist, and a social movement approach characterises the presence of a collective response by a group towards certain social injustices or systemic issues. Social movements often start with a shared ideology or a set of beliefs about a particular issue or injustice. "சிந்தனை" or #Sindhanai (Tamil word meaning critical reflection) encourages individuals to think critically about leading to the development of a shared vision for change and uncover the interconnectedness that exists among various forms of oppression. This mode of thinking has influenced several major development initiatives centred around #localisation, #collectivisation, #LeaveNoOneBehind, #communityled organising and engagement and more, expanding critical thinkers as followers. Thus the ‘social movement approach’ is ideologically intertwined with the tenet of சிந்தனை. Follow us to learn more about the social movement approach and what this means for the collectivisation ecosystem.

Humanity has achieved vast material and technological improvements — things are the best they’ve ever been in this realm. Likewise, we’ve made many social improvements in terms of freedoms, equality and justice in many parts of the world compared to even a century ago. Despite all this, it’s unclear if the individual has improved in any meaningful sense. While life for many has become materially abundant and more just, does any of this mean that the self has improved? Despite what the #selfimprovement movement sells, it’s not at all clear that the ‘self’ can actually be improved. In fact, many of modernity’s discontentments may be traced to just that— trying to improve that which we cannot improve. #personalgrowth #happiness https://lnkd.in/edZbwFm7

By un-ravelling the complexities of social class, we can gain insights into the mechanisms of power and privilege, fostering empathy, equity, and social change. https://lnkd.in/d7BSfVjc #socialclass #mechanisms #power #privilege #empathy #equity #socialchange #opinion #peoplesreflections

"To engage in social change at this moment in time requires consistent attention, deep reflection, and committed collective action." ~Deepa Iyer Too often we learn that there is one right - or one best - way create social change, and get stuck in a role that is hugely draining and doesn't use our gifts well. Nurturing social change over the long haul without burning out, or burning bridges, requires us to recognize all the different ways we can be part of creating social change. I have found Deepa Iyer's Social Change Ecosystem a powerful tool for helping me, and the people I work with, to see all the different roles we do, and can, play, and to value all of them -- when we ourselves are playing them, and when we encounter others who are. If you don't know Deepa Iyer's work yet, I encourage you to explore this thoughtful, creative, freeing framework. https://lnkd.in/gSf3i9Ev And I'd love to hear about your experience with using the Social Change Ecosystem, or about related frameworks you've found useful. #transformation #socialjustice #curiosity #belonging #inclusion #learninganddevelopment #workplacewellbeing #collaboration

The Wellbeing Economy Alliance is a proud partner of Te Tiriti-based Futures Anti-racism online conference 2024. Over 16-22 March, an incredible lineup of speakers and leaders will discuss institutional racism and anti-racism, decolonisation, building Te Tiriti-based futures and transforming our constitution online. This kōrero is so important at this time. WEAll’s vision is an Aotearoa New Zealand with a reshaped economy designed around the wellbeing of its people and nature. We see this transformation built upon Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Rather than treating economic growth as an end in and of itself and pursuing it at all costs, a Wellbeing Economy puts our human and planetary needs at the centre of its activities, ensuring that these needs are all equally met, by design. We are inspired by the leadership of Māori organisations and enterprises already putting koiora, whenua and wai at the heart of their economies. WEAll Aotearoa believes a Te Tiriti-led, broad-based, people-powered movement can transform the economic system to a Wellbeing Economy and we hope you can make these online sessions. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gHhUs685

 Fear and Hope cannot coexist… Nor can they together lead to anyone’s #liberation  As the new semester activities begin to wind down and higher ed institutions all around the country are getting to their business of student success, I have to activate my own hope and encourage you to do the same. I remember being at a recent convening with over 100 colleagues doing #racialequity work at their campuses and hearing their concern and uncertainty for the ways they operationalize their work to show its significance. Even in environments where they have support. Barbara Love provides a digestible model of liberatory consciousness that can help us equity workers ground ourselves when confronting injustice. And it is helpful to note that injustice will come and that confronting injustice is inevitable.   Barbara Love provides a framework of 4As 🤎We must have the AWARENESS that we live in oppressive systems. Living with awareness means to live “in an awake position” — to notice our language, behaviors, and thoughts, and observe what's happening in the world around us. When something happens that shouldn’t have, or something is said that shouldn’t have been, must be aware of it and how it may be contributing to systems of oppression. 🤎We must ANALYZE why something is happening. After becoming aware of a problem, the next step is to not just notice it, but thinking and theorizing about it. Developing our own explanations about what is happening, why it's happening, and what needs to be done better positions us to consider whether or not a situation seems consistent with our values and goals of a fair and equitable society. 🤎We must see that ACTION is taken. Beyond simply recognizing a problem, we must decide what needs to be done to ensure action is taken. That can look like taking initiative as an individual, encouraging others to take action, organizing and supporting others who feel empowered to do something. 🤎 We must have ACCOUNTABILITY/ALLY-ship that allows us to make progress together. We need to “understand and manage [the] opportunity and possibility for perspective sharing & ally-ship in liberation work.” Working in connection & collaboration with others permits us to make progress in ways that wouldn’t be if we were to operate in isolation or separation.   When we digest this framework, it will lead to actions that …. “update our practices to reflect the current reality and our aspirations; shaping them to be in service of liberation and thriving rather that holding up hegemonic and colonial relationships that belong in the past.”Gillian Marcelle, PhD “Institutions and systems respond to the initiatives of individuals and groups of individuals. Systems do not perpetuate themselves: they are perpetuated by the actions of people who act automatically on the basis of their socializations.” — Barbara J. Love .   #antiopressiona #racialequity #liberationforall 

Your voices matter. We're keen to understand what challenges or issues are impacting our community, particularly recognising that inequalities affect certain groups more than others. Your insights will help shape our efforts for positive change. Share your thoughts in the comments or if you prefer, drop us an email at [email protected] ... #CommunityEngagement #ShareYourVoice #ChangeAgents #Inequalities #YourVoiceMatters #SpeakUp #HereToHelp #Community #Change #Teakisi

This piece from Annie Neimand in the Stanford Social Innovation Review talks about how to tell real stories about impact. Change makers and Nga Kaikōkiri take note! "When stories like this are shared over and over again, we come to think about change in limited ways. Such stories do not reflect how change happens, and communities are narrowly defined by their relationship with an issue. Instead, we need to apply insights and best practices from social science and social movements to tell better stories about impact." #systemschange

Humanity has achieved vast material and technological improvements — things are the best they’ve ever been in this realm. Likewise, we’ve made many social improvements in terms of freedoms and equality in many parts of the world compared to even a century ago. Despite all this, it’s unclear if the individual has improved in any meaningful sense. While life for many has become materially abundant and more just, does any of this mean that 'the self' has improved? Despite what the #selfimprovement movement sells, it’s not at all clear that the ‘self’ can actually be improved. In fact, many of modernity’s discontentments may be traced to just that— trying to improve that which we cannot improve. #personalgrowth #happiness #lifecoaching