[hr-education] Re: HRE and transformative learning

Dear Felisa and other list members,

Transformative learning is new for me and difficult to answer. What I
think is that one person's experience and knowledge cannot be simply
copied and applied in someone else's situation but what is very important
is that one's experience and knowledge can inspire others in making right
decisions, solutions and changes in other person's surrounding and life.  
In that sense it is meaningful and can be considered transformational.

 On:
> - What is the relationship between a transformed view at the personal
> level to a personal will to take action in changing one's personal life or
> community? As human rights educators, how much importance do we
> place on seeing perspective transformation illustrated in action?

My view is that every big change starts on the local level first i.e.
first it is a personal change, personal convictions, etc. Not everybody is
a revolutionary in the old-fashioned way. For me, living in a trouble
country, I have learned to appreciate every step, however small it looks
like. And, at the end, the action depends very much on the circumstances
and needs of a society.

On:
> - Assuming that this the link between "meaning making" and action is
> desirable, how can teaching/learning methodologies promote this chain of
> events? One source on transformative learning identifies methodologies
> such as truth telling, reflection, integration of heart and soul, and
> dreams for the future. Another source identifies phases such as a
> disorienting dilemma, self examination, exploration of new roles, planning
> a course of action, and reintegration of one's new perspective into one's
> life. What are the methodologies that human rights educators have used
> that lead to transformation? Do these methods vary by context and group?

I think that it depends completely on the cultural circumstances. There is
no universal recipe. Every culture has its own means of accepting and
understanding things and disseminating messages in a way that is
acceptable to people. Some cultures value most of all their personal
experiences, some take more as a priority some universal values ...

On:
> - Practically speaking, are there situations that lend themselves to a
> "transformational" approach to HRE? For example, does this approach apply
> especially well to oppressed groups or persons who have been traumatized
> through domestic violence and conflict? If so, why?

I am really not sure. In my culture (which is the area of South East
Europe), unfortunately, prevention does not work. People have to
experience something bad and then they are more open to learn, i.e. they
react much more when their own rights have been violated. But what I know
is that people generally accept messages from someone who has had similar
experiences in drastic circumstances or from the person they perceive of
as having a common background.

I tried my best at this late hour but it is in deed a difficult question.  
Of course, these are my own views, not that of my organisation.


Best regards,

Jelena Radojkovic

Programme Coordinator
Belgrade Centre for Human Rights




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