Laura Fraile’s Post

Knowledgable panel with different perspectivs.

My article on Ricoeur, collective selfhood, and the normative foundations of civic integration is now published in Distinktion - Journal of Social Theory https://lnkd.in/duqq_gXu

Beyond the immediacy of restoring law and order the recent riots show a longer term task of building better connected communities as a bulwark against extremism. We have set out lots of policy ideas in this series of The British Academy essays on how we can strengthen social and cultural infrastructure for communities and digitally https://lnkd.in/dXRD3d-f

This week we share a project that is focussed on bringing education into conversation with art and activism. Seen and Heard: Young People’s Voices and Freedom of Expression is a European Union project that places youth at risk of marginalisation and exclusion in Malta, Germany and Poland, at the centre of political dialogue. A variety of learning experiences have been designed in collaboration with art practitioners like Sita Brahmachari, Charlie Cauchi, Uli Decker and even a guest appearance by Chris Riddell. The project includes co-creation of art – a book and a docuseries – with children playing a central role.   At a time when Europe is churning - with groups pushing political divisiveness and yet others resisting it – the project explores what it means to be a young citizen in Europe today; what it means to be a child and a grown-up in Europe; what being European in an age of mass-migration feels like.   While the project is based in Europe, learnings from it promise to be meaningful across different contexts. One of the big challenges of our contemporary world is fostering a sense of community and finding ways to connect with those who are different from oneself, reminding oneself of the things that connect us to a shared humanity. What better then, than a project that uses the arts with young people from migrant and local communities, to foster the courage to speak up about injustice, and makes place for them to be seen and heard.    SWIPE to see images from the ongoing work Find out more at <https://lnkd.in/gHDHPCEK> @seenandheardeu @giuliana_fenech @chuckcauchi #childrensvoice #childrensart #cocreation #seenandheard #citizenship #education

This week marks the first official meetings & presentations before French institutions and European & American partners of the European Foundation on Democracy and Culture. I would like to insist on 2 specific aspects as I see already that there is much confusion: 1. the EFDC is a French initiative, with a European and international dimension. The Foundation will be based in Paris, France and is exclusively French, not Greek - French. Greece, unfortunately (despite my personal efforts) will not be represented at the Administration Board. 2. This is a political - cultural initiative, not a human rights association. The Foundation will work, support and further elaborate the role of Culture in promoting or protecting Democracy. It will do it hand by hand with society, with partners, with people. It might give, at first the impression of another intellectual elite Initiative but I have included several personalities incl. grass roots activists and artists who will work together. Culture is an essential component of our society, of our Democracy. This is the main and only purpose of the Foundation. Art & Letters, Culture & Civilization as pillars of Democracy, as integral part of Humanity. The website of the Foundation is on LinkedIn! More announcements to follow! #New #Project #Initiative #European #Foundation #Democracy #Culture #EFDC #Art #Letters #Culture #Civilisation #Intellectuals #Democracy #Society #Humanity #Paris #France #Europe #Monde #activists #artists #authors #journalists #politicians #HRDs #Fondation #europeenne #Democratie #Culture #personnalites #nouvelle #action #collective #française #europeenne #internationale

Why would a government with powerful tools of exclusion expand access to socioeconomic citizenship rights? And when autocratic systems expand redistribution, whom do they choose to include? UC Irvine's Samantha Vortherms, our 2017-18 Shorenstein Postdoctoral Fellow on Contemporary Asia, explores these questions in her forthcoming book, "Manipulating Authoritarian Citizenship," which examines the case of China and uncovers how autocrats use institutions like the household registration system (hukou) to create particularistic membership in citizenship. This new title is the next installment in APARC's joint monograph series with Stanford University Press. Learn more and pre-order your copy > https://lnkd.in/gKHmsUyV

Great to see! Progress in the right direction.

🚨 NEW PUBLICATION | Strengthening Civic Cohesion in Europe This report, authored by EPC's Danielle Brady, Louisa Slavkova, and Denitza Vidolova Vidolova delves into the pressing issue of diminished democratic involvement in Europe, marked by the rise of 'civic deserts' and 'regional development traps.' The paper suggests considering civic cohesion as a core European value, essential to the European Union's initiatives and policies, particularly its Cohesion Policy. Read the entire paper here 👇

Friends and Colleagues, There is no environment (work or social) that is free of the values and beliefs that shape how we show up with and for one another. The boardroom, the lunchroom, and the holiday dinner table are all laden with and shaped by the histories each of us brings. As we witness organizations and institutions backpedaling into corners suggesting that the best way to respect one another in this "political moment" is to avoid "talking" partisan politics, we take our nation further away from the ideals of democracy. We should be building the muscles we need to actively engage in learning from one another and across differences. As a classroom teacher early in my career, I was always impressed by students who lead with curiosity. Now, one of those standout students, Eric Lee (https://lnkd.in/gv6Mx4zA), is leading with his values and his belief that we are a stronger nation and society because we welcome, grow with, and learn from immigrants. I taught Eric as a 7th grader, and even then, as he stood on a desk and argued a case to me on behalf of the class (no, I did not suggest he do that, but he really wanted to play this world history game, and I had postponed it indefinitely), I knew his future was bright. And now, our collective future relies on all of us supporting experts with his passion, compassion, and commitment to the ideals of "equality and justice for all." He’s incredible and the real deal; one of his most recent arguments was in front of the Supreme Court.  https://lnkd.in/gd_zbhkP. As you think about causes to support, ensuring that our collective future remains one that centers human rights, dignity, and access, you may want to consider this one!

The notion that the universal human rights project is a form of cultural imperialism is articulated by scholars like Mutua and Mégret. They argue that the promotion of human rights often aligns with the advancement of Western political and economic interests, particularly liberal democracy and capitalism. This perspective suggests that the imposition of these rights can undermine local cultures and values, framing Western standards as superior and necessary for the enjoyment of human rights. This viewpoint emphasizes that the adoption of capitalism and Western-style governance is often presented as a prerequisite for achieving human rights, which can be seen as a form of neocolonialism