GLOBEMED’S GLOBAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CURRICULUM
globalhealthU HIGHLIGHTS
Track 4
Week 1: Our Role In Structural Violence
THIS TRACK TRACK 4 Goal: Explore about our roles in being advocates for global health and how we, as individuals, can best combat cycles of povertyhealth inequity.
THIS WEEK CASE STUDIES Goal: To better understand structural violence, our role in perpetuating it, and how it affects our partner communities.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND KEEP EVERYBODY INFORMED As you begin a new Track make sure your chapter members no what is going on and what the track is about.
CONTACT US Rachel Markon & Neal Emery, co-Directors of ghU globalhealthU@globemed.org
Overview In the first three Tracks of ghU we examined the nature of poverty and its relationship to health around the world, and more specifically in our partner communities. This week, we will explore some of the systems of structural violence that often cause difficulty abroad. Through brainstorming, an interactive video and a group discussion, we will try to better understand what structural violence is, how we perpetuate it, and what it means for our partner communities. By beginning to understand our role in this system, especially in regards to our partners, we hope to ignite our compassion and further our belief in global health equity.
Understanding the Term: Defining ‘Structural Violence’ Estimated time: 5 Minutes Structural Violence has become a ‘buzz-phrase’ in international development and human rights ideology, but despite its frequent use, there remains confusion and disagreement about its meaning. In this activity we will talk about our own conceptions of structural violence, and begin to consider everyday ways that we perpetuate it. Then, either read or display the definition provided by Dr. Paul Farmer (listed below) and have chapter members begin to think about how their conceptions compare. Possible Presentation Method ✦ Have each chapter member write down what they consider to be the definition of structural violence; additionally, list five things that they have either used or done that day to unintentionally spread structural violence. (For example, purchasing a T-shirt perpetuates social and economic structures that existed when it was made and distributed). Resources ✦ Dr. Paul Farmer’s Definition: Pathologies of Power “Structural violence is one way of describing social arrangements that put individuals and populations in harm’s way… The arrangements are structural because they are embedded in the political and economic organization of our social world; they are violent because they cause injury to people … neither culture nor pure individual will is at fault; rather, historically given (and often
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GLOBEMED’S GLOBAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CURRICULUM
globalhealthU economically driven) processes and forces conspire to constrain individual agency. Structural violence is visited upon all those whose social status denies them access to the fruits of scientific and social progress.”
Exploring the System: An Interactive Video Estimated time: 10 minutes In this video, Slovenian philosopher and cultural theorist Slavoj Zizek, explains some of the values that drive a global system of structural violence and the role that we each play in this system. It by no means espouses the beliefs of GlobeMed but it is definitely informative and thought-provoking. Resources ✦ RSA Animate Video (Slavoj Zizek): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpAMbpQ8J7g
Discussion Estimated Time: 15 Minutes By this point, we have hopefully started thinking about what structural violence is and how we play a part in it. Beyond continuing to explore the definitional component of structural violence, we also want to take time to investigate and discuss how structural violence affects our partner communities. Possible Discussion Questions ✦ What do you think of Paul Farmer’s definition of structural violence? How does it compare to your own conceptions? ✦ Where does structural violence fit in to the movement for global health equity? ✦ Should alleviating structural violence be a top priority of development? ✦ What are the potential steps to alleviate structural violence? ✦ How does structural violence affect our partner communities? ✦ What specific effects does it have on your partner community? ✦ Does your project address structural violence? How best can GlobeMed’s model and mission fight structural violence? ✦ Is it possible to live in a way that is free from structural violence?
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