Healing the World, Healing Ourselves: The Future of Human Rights Practice
In spring term 2024, Visiting Fulbright Scholar Dr. Ivana Radačić taught a course entitled "Self- and collective- care, well-being and spirituality: A holistic human rights framework." In this blogpost, Human Rights Practice students Donaven Smith provides insights inspired by the course. You can also read Ivana's reflections on the course, the policy proposals, and the issues that they raise for human rights practice and education. Other blogposts have been published presenting well-being policy proposals by groups of Human Rights Practice students (see links at the end of this article).
Healing the World, Healing Ourselves: The Future of Human Rights Practice
By Donaven Blake Smith
In our relentless quest for justice in a world rife with systemic injustices, Dr. Ivana Radačić’s course, “Self- and Collective-care, Well-being and Spirituality: A Holistic Human Rights Framework,” offered me a beacon of hope and transformation.
This course intricately wove the fabric of spirituality, self-care, collective wellness, and the wisdom of Indigenous and feminist teachings into the tapestry of human rights, enriching my academic and personal growth. We engaged with the topics of spirituality and human rights; the mental health implications of human rights work; well-being of human rights defenders; practices of self- and collective care; the role of erotics, joy and pleasure in human rights; and the indigenous worldview. In addition to intellectual inquiry, we also engaged in self-reflection and experiential practices.
Our weekly gatherings included meditation, dancing, and collective breathing, where we created space for each other as colleagues and humans. As part of our final assignment, we shared our practices of care with one another. This integrated approach not only challenges existing human rights paradigms but also illuminates a path toward a more interconnected, holistic practice of activism.
My personal evolution, marked by a painful transition from evangelical Christianity to embracing a Universe of mystery and interconnectedness, has been nothing short of revolutionary. It is something I am very grateful for. This transformation has redefined my advocacy, fusing my identity as a changemaker with spiritual growth and the collective good. The awe-inspiring nature of our existence–highlighted by course reasing by the Dustin Sharp (2021) course reading–and the teachings on the nature of one’s soul from Advaita Vedanta, have made spirituality a cornerstone of my activism. This concept of “spiritual activism,” advocated by Dr Radačić, aligns with the themes explored by our program’s Director, Dr. Willism Simmons, in Joyful Human Rights, where we pursue justice with joy, compassion, and a recognition of our shared humanity.
Yet, as was discussed in the class, our current human rights framework prioritizes individual rights at the expense of collective wellness and sidelines Indigenous wisdom for legalistic solutions. This approach risks further entrenching divisions, perpetuating activist burnout, and overlooking the potential for restorative justice, deep healing, and sustainable change. As a QBIPOC recovering from trauma and addiction, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of mindfulness, communal support, and connecting with nature in nurturing resilience and hope, and my classmates shared similar stories. This personal healing journey exemplifies the importance of integrating self-care, as both a radical act of resistance and a political strategy, into the fabric of human rights practice to sustain our fight for justice. I envision a world where the need to “fight” is replaced by space to love and care for one another.
The insights from feminist theory, emphasizing collective action, solidarity, and self-care, with which we engaged in the course, resonate deeply with its themes of interconnectedness and mutual support. The feminist commitment to challenging inequality enriches our collective pursuit of a holistic human rights practice, highlighting the intricate interplay of various forms of oppression and the power of united resistance. I am not free until we all are free. This truth, rooted in feminist tenacity and the resilience of my African ancestors, fortifies our endeavors to cultivate a liberated world.
Moreover, Indigenous perspectives also offer profound lessons in our work as human rights defenders, as suggested by Dr Radačić. Integrating the Indigenous Worldview guides our activism toward a human rights practice that honors the dignity and rights of all beings. It stresses our sacredness and shared responsibilities to each other and the Earth. We are not separate from this Earth. We came up from it, we are it. By not intentionally fusing Indigenous perspectives with our human rights frameworks, we are dismissing centuries of wisdom on how to live out spirit-based change, exist in harmony, and successfully resolve conflict. We miss out on the art of Being. Such integration challenges us to confront modern, wicked problems like climate change, poverty, and systemic, structural violence with wisdom that bridges spirit and action.
Envisioning a future human rights practice demands transcending dominant worldviews in favor of compassion, collaboration, and the understanding that our shared Divinity makes us intertwined. There is no separating me from you. This approach encourages us to move beyond punitive practices and shame-based narratives, and to expand our view of humanity's role in fostering healing. Integrating these diverse perspectives into human rights work demands not only a shift in policies and educational curricula but also a commitment from each of us to embody these principles in our daily lives and activism.
Take this as a call to action for a human rights practice that nourishes the soul as much as it confronts injustice. Learning what this looks like in practice is something I am committed to learning with all of you, together. My experience in Dr. Radačić’s course has instilled a firm, core belief in an integrated approach to human rights work, one that mirrors the inherent worth and interdependency of all life. As we strive for a more just, compassionate, and whole world, let us carry these lessons forward, challenging the status quo and inspiring change through our collective efforts. We must, and indeed can, do better in the struggle for collective liberation.
Policy proposals written by Human Rights Practice students:
A Wellness Policy Built by Employees for Employees
Prioritizing People Over Productivity
Soulful Advocacy -- The Heartbeat of a Human Rights Collective
