Reflections on activism, the academy and the Non-Profit Industrial Complex in Colombia: What a revolutionary ethos might look like

Catalina Correa-Salazar*, Laura Martínez, Daniela Maldonado Salamanca, Yoko Ruiz, Rocío Guarín, Luna Alejandra Hernández Guarín, Amy E. Ritterbusch

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

This essay brings together different voices to reflect on several participatory research projects carried out in Colombia, based on human rights, ‘empowerment’, harm reduction, (im)mobility and forced migration, gendered and political violence, armed conflict, and the right to health of people in the social margins. We look back on nine years of activism to explore the foundations of what our friendships and relationships have come to know as a revolutionary ethos. We critically re-visit and reflect on the concept of ‘the activist’ in the realms of the human rights apparatus in Colombia, the academy and the Non-Profit Industrial Complex (NPIC). We look back on what was forged and what was lost to propose the critical concept of ‘radical honesty and self-care’ as the basis for a revolution that supports processes of healing and social justice. Finally, we imagine what ‘healing’ can look like, as committed activists despite our differences and positionalities. We engage with and problematise the different forms of activism that emerge in social struggles and we address self-criticisms, constant reflection, radical honesty and uncomfortableness as powerful tools in joining forces to continue social justice work and caring.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-16
Number of pages16
JournalGlobal public health
Volume17
Issue number10
Early online date23 Mar 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

  • academy
  • Activism
  • Colombia
  • Non-Profit Industrial Complex
  • social movements

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