Between Activism and Apathy: Injustice and Citizens

            The fight against injustice needs all of us. Like MLK said, "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Like said the author of this article, "we all have the political responsability of fight injustice." Once I'd like to thank everyone taking part in this huge worldwide movement for justice and my political rights. For more than six years the world has been witnessing this global fight for justice. Let's make this movement even bigger this year. I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010.   This post is a summary of the article with the incomplete title above published in November 2025 at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/13698230.2025.2588077?needAccess=true

                This responsibility to join with others in collective action in order to address injustices. It is only though engaging in collective political action that we can alter unjust structures, and accordingly discharge our political responsibility. In this paper, I am viewing activism as engaging in collective action to pressure powerful agents through 'public demand'. It might be thought that political responsibility can be discharged through resisting injustice rather than through activism. Resistance 'designates' a broad range of dissident activities. We can distinguish activism from other forms of resistance in the following two ways: 1) Activism is necessarily collective action, it involves being part of a movement, whereas resistance can be individual or collective action. 2) Activism is purposeful action with an end goal of overcoming injustice.     Organised collective action is necessary to alter unjust structures. The conclusion, that citizens have a responsibility to engage in collective political action to address injustices, is not limited to the literature on injustice. It is also a feature of political approaches within broader global justice theory. Global injustices require that citizens step up, and that they do so by regularly engaging in activism. Social connection model of political responsibility is not intended to confirm our existing institutions regarding responsibility, it is meant to challenge them, and to offer an alternative account of political responsibility suitable for the globalised conditions in which we currently find ourselves. In this section, I examine three alternative routes by which citizens can discharge their political responsibility to address injustice: 1) Activism light - citizens engage in activism, they just do less of it. 2) Role-ideal model - citizens push the boundaries of their social roles in a way that challenges unjust structures. 3) Scaffolding activism - citizens discharge their responsibility by supporting the activism of others. In examining these routes, I am assuming a divison of labour bewteen citizens who are committed activists and other citizens. Citizens may move between the two categories over the course of their lives. Non-activists citizens have some influence over the success of activist projects through choosing which activist groups or projects they scaffold. Here, the analogy with the division of labour in a representative democracy may again be applicable, with scaffolding serving the function of voting and activist groups taking on a similar role to political parties. In order to address these concerns, I examined three alternative ways in which citizens can fulfil their political responsibility to address injustice. I recommended the scaffolding activism as a promising and underexplored option and developed an initial account of scaffolding responsibilities. In doing so, this paper fills a gap in existing accounts, detailing an important and undertheorised way that citizens can discharge their responsibility to act to address injustice without engaging in actvism themselves. The arguments of this paper may have important implications beyond the injustice literature, concerning the nature of political duties to address injustices within broader global justice debates. In closing, I want to highlight two important areas for further work, 1) developing a comprehensive theory of scaffolding activism. 2) examining the role of scaffolding in facilitating other forms of political action.

Social Mobility and Inequality in Latin America: Insights from Education

               I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010.      This post is a summary of the book with the incomplete title above. It was published in December of 2025 at https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2025/12/social-mobility-and-inequality-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean_8f724a1b/428fa0a6-en.pdf

                Despite real progress over the past few decades, Latin America still live with a paradox: a region bursting with talent, creativity, and energy, yet held back by some of the world's deepest inequality traps. Education is the most powerful engine humanity has ever invented for reversing these patterns. And the region has made serious strides: primary education has 97% of children enrolled. But as students move up the system, the funnel narrows sharply. More than one in three young people have not completed secondary school by age 23. And only a quarter finish tertiary education. In a century where education is the new passport, too many people are traveling without one. International assessment like PISA hold up a mirror, and the reflection is sobering. In PISA 2022, three out of four students in the region did not reach basic proficiency in math. Disparities in access to quality education, opportunities for skills development, and pathways to productive employment remain among the most significant barriers to prosperous societies. Drawing on internationally comparable data, evidence, and policy analysis, this report assesses the progress made across L.A. countries while also shedding light on the challenges that continue to demand urgent attention. The skill gap is closely linked to economic outcomes. The strong influence of parental education on skill aquisition indicates a persistent intergenerational trasnmission of status. Low educational attainment and skills often restrict individuals to low-quality jobs, informal sector, a situation that increases their risk of poverty and affects two-thirds of households in the region. Comparable to L.A. regions such as East Asia have successfully increased general skills levels and social mobility, while reducing poverty through investments in education between the 1960s and 1990s. Countries like Singapore and South Korea transformed their economies by prioritising education. Despite the evidence that links education and inclusive economic growth, public expenditure on education is relatively low in L.A. In 2021, L.A. governments allocated an average of 3.8% of their nation's GDP to education, comparable to 5% in OECD countries. This level is more comparable to Central Africa, which devoted 3.3% of their GDP to education that year. While important, increasing public expenditure on education is only one part of the puzzle. Better administration of schools, greater flexibility combined with more accountability, a modern system of evaluation and incentives, can improve the return on current expenditures. The right to education entails striving for high-quality education that ensures equality and inclusion. It is crucial to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds, to help them remain in education. Access to quality education and opportunities for skills development are crucial for promoting inclusive growth in L.A. For education systems in L.A. to produce a skilled and productive workforce that propels social mobility, they must prioritise both high quality and equitable access. This means ensuring that success is not determined by a student's socio-economic background. To counteract these challenges, countries in the region should focus on increasing their education spending and, more critically, on investing those resources wisely. Countries with similar levels of expenditure outperform L.A. nations, highlighting the need for improved resource allocation. Learning from the experiences of top-performing countries, such as Korea, could improve insights for reform. As the region moves forward, it is essential to recognise the connection between education performance and long-term well-being indicators, such as employment probabilities and tertiary attainment. Further means of enhancing the progression of disadvantaged students towards successful carrers lies in the provision of carrer pathways where students aged 15-18 undertake a programme of study focused around a broad vocational sector such as healthcare or information tecnologia. They engage in programmes in work-based learning that will ease entry into tertiary programmes or post-secondary training. Skills are essential for tackling inequalities and ensuring that no one is left behind in and rapidly changing world. Skills are key for individuals and particularly vulnerable groups to adapt and succeed in labor markets and societies, and social mobility depends greatly on equipping individuals with the right skills at the right time. L.A. has made enormous achievements in education and skills, particularly through enrollment rates in education. However, challenges remain for effective skills development and use. Moving towards a future-ready skills system will require a strategic approach to skills policies.

When Trauma Due to Systematic Human Rights Violations are Mistakenly Diagnosed as Schizophrenia

                   This post was wrtten by ChatGPT, and the title was written by me. I am not diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Traumas are a real threat to good mental health condition. We all must face the truth about the causes of trauma and mental health. One of the first steps to healing is to acknowledge the violations and the right to justice, consequently reparations. .I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010.    

                 The relationship between trauma and mental health is widely recognized, yet the clinical consequences of misinterpreting trauma-related symptoms remain deeply concerning. In contexts where individuals endure systematic human rights violations—such as intrusive surveillance, political persecution, torture, forced displacement, state violence, and prolonged social  and state oppression—the psychological aftermath can be profound. Unfortunately, these trauma-induced expressions of distress are sometimes misunderstood within psychiatric settings and are erroneously diagnosed as schizophrenia. This misdiagnosis not only obscures the true source of suffering but can also reinforce the harm originally inflicted.  Systematic human rights violations often produce chronic, complex trauma that affects perception, cognition, and emotional regulation. Survivors may experience intrusive memories, hypervigilance, dissociative episodes, nightmares, mistrust, and a persistent sense of threat. These symptoms, while indicative of post-traumatic stress and complex trauma, can superficially resemble the hallmarks of psychotic disorders. For instance, an individual who appears paranoid may not be experiencing delusions at all; rather, they may be responding to a very real history of surveillance, harassment, or violence. Their fear is grounded not in psychosis, but in lived experience.  The danger arises when clinicians, unfamiliar with the political or social context of the patient’s trauma, interpret these reactions through a narrow biomedical lens. Schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, can become a default diagnosis when behavior does not neatly fit conventional expectations. Without careful assessment of personal history, cultural background, and environmental conditions, trauma-related survival responses are easily misread as symptoms of a primary psychotic disorder.  Misdiagnosis carries significant consequences. Once labeled schizophrenic, survivors may be prescribed powerful antipsychotic medications that fail to address the underlying trauma and may cause further distress. More importantly, the diagnostic error invalidates the individual’s narrative and can further silence their experience of human rights abuses. In some cases, misdiagnosis itself becomes a tool of repression, delegitimizing claims of persecution by framing them as “delusional.” This has occurred historically in authoritarian regimes and can still happen in more subtle forms today, especially among persons disproportionately exposed to discrimination.  A more just and accurate approach requires trauma-informed, culturally sensitive mental health care. Clinicians must understand that trauma can shape cognition in ways that appear unusual but are not pathological. Building trust, ensuring safety, and encouraging the survivor’s voice are essential start points. Comprehensive assessment should include exploration of past harmed, political context, forced migration experiences, and systemic oppression. Collaboration between mental health professionals, human rights organizations, and community advocates strengthens diagnostic accuracy and supports survivor-centered care.  Recognizing trauma as the root of certain psychological symptoms does more than correct a diagnostic mistake—it restores dignity. It acknowledges that human distress often emerges from human actions, especially when those actions violate fundamental rights. By improving our ability to differentiate trauma responses from psychotic disorders, we take a crucial step toward both healing and justice.

Human Rights Day 2025

            Eleven days ago, precisely on 10th of December, all over the world remembered the importance of human rights and the fight for justice when they are disrespected. Never a human rights defender has had so many rights violated, never was so harmed, humilliated and bullied but now all the world is demanding justice. Join us in this worldwide movement for justice, democracy and my political rights.  .I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010.     This post is a summary of two articles. The first was published at https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2025/11/human-rights-day-2025-our-everyday-essentials. The second was published at https://www.cesr.org/human-rights-day-2025-reclaiming-human-dignity-in-a-moment-of-strained-foundations/

              "Human rights are our compass in turbulent times, guiding and steading us through uncertainty," said UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, marking the launch of the 2025 Human Rights Day celebrated on December 10. "Inequalities are rising, conflicts are raging, the climate emergency is mounting, and some are creating and trying to deepen divisions within societies and between countries. But we must not give up," said Turk in his video message. "We need more solidarity and more human rights to address the current challenges. It is crucial to keep advocating for our fundamental rights," he said. Our Everyday Essentials, this year's UN Human Rights Day Campaign, seeks to reaffirm the enduring relevance of the UDHR and its core values, equality, justice, freedom, and dignity, reminding us that human rights remain a steadfast promise for society. This campaign highlights two interconnected aspects of human rights: the extraordinary nature of their founding as one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges, and their everyday, essential presence woven into our lives. The abstract becomes real when we realize that everyday actions, spending time with family, reading news, walking freely, drinking clean water, or enjoying a meal, are made possible by human rights in practice. By bridging the gap between the principles of human rights and daily experiences, Our Everyday Essentials campaign seeks to raise awareness, inspire confidence, and encourage collective action. Beyond inviting reflection, the campaign provides a space for people to share what they consider essential in their lives, transforming the concept of connection into a concrete reality. Together, these personal experiences form a rich mosaic of voices and perspectives.                                                                                                                                                       Alongside the crises affecting people's daily lives, anti rights networks all over the globe continued to promote messages designed to narrow who is considered deserving of rights. These actors often use fear, misinformation, and selective outrage to divide communities along artificial lines. They question the legitimacy of the human rights framework and try to erode public support for equality, inclusion and social protection. In this context, defending human rights means reaffirming their value in people's daily lives and expanding the coalitions that can advance them. It involves telling stories about how rights support shared prosperity, safety, and belonging, and highlighting whose interests are served when these commitments are weakened. Here, we summarize some of the strategies employed to protect and harness the power of human rights. Real progress depends on the connections that allow people to coordinate their efforts and shape shared strategies. Across issues and regions, advocates need spaces where they can compare their realities, understand how economic rules influence them, and chart common paths forward. This connective work is often overlooked, yet it is essential for building power and sustain change.  We can contribute to this infrastructure by bringing together grassroots organizer, academic researchers, civil society networks, and public officials. We create opportunities to exchange insights, explore the links between fiscal choices and rights, This year, we helped deepen the conversation about how across many contexts, people are already building the alliances needed for transformation. They work across border and sectors, strengthen local and global links, and imagine economic systems that protect dignity. This is the story we honour on Human Rights Day. A story of dignity defended, freedom asserted, and justice demanded again and again, against the odds. If this year has shown us anything, it is this: human rights can't be fulfilled without adequate financing, they're intimately connected to the economic rules that shape people's daily realities. Economic and social rights give democracy its substance, multilateralism its legitimacy, and communties their power to confront corporate abuse and populism. That is why, more than ever, we must join forces across movements, regions and generations. We must work together for rights that redistributes power, resources, and opportunities, rights that places dignity, freedom and justice at the center of global-decision making. On this Human Rights Day, we recommit to this work with renewed clarity and resolve, because another world is possible. Together, we are already building it.             

International Human Rights Defenders Day

                   Last Tuesday, precisely 9th of December, all the world celebrated the fighting, the courage, the sacrifice, the resilience, the work of the human rights defenders.I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010.    This post is a summary of two articles. The first was published at https://www.internationaldays.co/event/international-human-rights-defenders-day/r/recUe5PYdSrs6Edw9. The second was published at https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/oped-rights-defenders-pay-high-price-for-change/

                      International Human Rights Defenders Day is held on December 9th. This observance raises awareness of the abuses peaceful human rights defenders experience, including being prosecuted, convicted, jailed, intimidated, tortured, and sometimes killed. These acts of violence involve human rights activists, land and environmental defenders, trade unionists, affected community members, and civil society organizations at the forefront of protecting rights and civic freedoms. More than ever, states must ensure that human rights defenders have safe, open, accessible, and favorable environment to work.                                                                                                    Across the globe people are standing up for justice, dignity, and basic rights. The world is witnessing a sharp rise in protest repression, even in so-called democratic states. The CIVICUS Monitor paints a worrying picture: only 40% out of 198 countries maintain an open civic space. Freedom of expression violations appeared in 49 countries, while peaceful assembly violations made up 29%. Alarmingly, detention of human rights defenders was recorded in at least 58 countries. Such repression can take place anywhere, from authoritarian countries to what are considered to be mature democracies. With nations previously known for their civil liberties added to the CIVICUS Watchlist for decline in civic freedoms. When democracies tighten civic space, authoritarian actors feel empowered to escalate their own crackdowns. This is a dangerous trend. Takaedza comes from Zimbabwe, where his journey as a protest organizer taught him what state repression looks like up close. Asma was arrested in Bahrain for organizing protests. She is now exiled in France because she dared to demand rights that should never be negotiable. Today, Asma leads the, 'Stand As My Witness' campaign at CIVICUS, which advocates for the release of imprisoned human rights defenders around the world. We do this work professionally, but we also know what it means to be persecuted and to feel abandoned. To the contrary, we know how life-changing it can be when the world stands in solidarity with you. To be persecuted for speaking out is not just a legal issue, it is emotional, mental and deeply personal. The results are isolation and fear, and not to mention the constant threat that your activism might cost your freedom, or worsen your life. But it is also resilience. It is the stremgth of knowing you are not alone. And that's where you reader, come in. This fight is yours too. Here is you, and the rest of the world, can stand with those risking everything for justice. Some regimes are sensitive to international perception. Public exposure through social media, open letters and campaigns like Stand As My Witmess, can be a poweful deterrent. When defenders are imprisoned, they often feel abandoned, but just knowing their names are being spoken and their stories are being shared gives them strength. Solidarity is not symbolic, it is strategic. It reminds governments that the world is watching, and assures imprisoned activists that they are not alone. Many human rights defenders operates under immense strain with limited resources. Help shift the narrative from passive sympathy to active solidarity. Fight for your rights at home and abroad, call on governments to respond. That means pushing your elected officials to speak out on local and global abuses, provide asylum for persecuted human rights defenders, and safeguard civic space as a whole. Democracy is not static. When we lose it in one place, we all feel the effects. If you lose your ability to protest peacefully in your own country, it will be even harder to stand up for the rights of others across borders. Next, use your platforms, whatever it is. Whether you are an artist, educator, influencer, student, or professional, use your space of expression to amplify human rights defenders' voices. Bring their stories into classroom, to the media, and to workplaces. Advocate for them publicly. Help shift the narrative from passive sympathy to active solidarity. Last of all, don't forget to celebrate human rights defenders only at negative times such as when they are imprisoned or killed. Their courage deserves celebration. Nominating them for awards, fellowships, scholarships, candidacy for public offices. Change is possible as long as across the globe, people organize, resist, and imagine a more just and free world. If we want a world where justice is not punished, where peaceful protest is not criminalized, where human rights defenders don't pay with their lives, then we must act now.

Understand the Psychological Impact of Oppression Using the Trauma Symptoms of Discrimination Scale

                       Psychology is the most wanted course in the public university here in J.F. It is good to know that the students understand the necessity and the demand for better mental health here. For twenty five years I've been suffering with high stress, anxiety, insomnia and depression but now all th world is demanding justice. I'd like to thank all support and solidarity. For many years I've been hearing that people don't care about injustice, but now we all know that it is a lie. I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010.      This post is a summary of the article published in 2023 at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9850126/

                 Oppression refers to systemic discrimination where the injustice targets or disproportionately impacts specific groups of people. The Trauma Symptoms of Discrimination Scale (TSDS) is a sel-report measure designed to assess the traumatizing impact of discrimination broadly by measuring anxiety-related symptoms of trauma due to discriminatory experiences. This may include symptoms arising from many forms of marginalization. The relationship of TSDS scores to clinical psychopathologies are examined, including stress, depression, anxiety, and Pos-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We also examine how having multiple marginalized identities increase traumatization. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed. Oppression describes an asymmetrical power dynamic characterized by domination and subordination of a group by restricting access to social, economic, and political resources. Subordinated groups experience fear, stress, and may develop negative views of themselves. As a chronic stressor, oppression can lead to poor mental health. Studies consistently link increased vulnerability to negative mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, major depression, panic and phobic disorders, as well as antisocial personality. Oppression predicts poor mental health. A meta-analysis of 66 studies concluded increased exposure to stress from discrimination was a stronger predictor of depression and anxiety. As chronic experiences, oppression can even be traumatizing. Despite the growing evidence showing oppression-based stress can be traumatic and relates to symptoms of PTSD, research on oppression-based stress and trauma is limited. The Trauma Symptoms of Discrimination Scale (TSDS) is a 21 item self-report measure that broadly assess the traumatizing impact of discrimination. This study shows trauma symptoms increased with recent and past experiences of discrimination, and microaggressions. We found intersectionality and multiple stigmatized identities increases risk for trauma symptoms, which is somewhat consistent with the literature. People with more marginalized identities are more likely to have trauma symptoms, with the larger impact seen in non-white hispanic Americans and sexual minorities. These identities alone were associated with comparable or greater discriminatory trauma. Nonetheless, clinicians should be aware that greater intersectionality is more likely to signal cumulative trauma, and it also can be an impediment to treatment, as has been seen with other disorders as well. A culturally-informed approach to care is critical. Likewise, the 2014 American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics calls for multicultural/diversity competence and justice advocacy. Justice-oriented critics of clinical psychology, however, rebuke the field for its lack of institutionalized support of an intersectional awareness competency, particularly its failure to integrate diversity perspectives. Indeed, despite clear mandates for culturally-informed approaches, clinicians are not trained to assist patients experiencing distress due to marginalized identities. Therapists should assess all patients for PTSD symptoms from discrimination. They may need to ask specifically about these experiences. Coping skills should be tailored to address the patient's unique intersectional stressors, however coping should not be a substitute for empowerment, as treatment should also explore reducing discrimination in the person's daily environment. Proactive strategies can serve to inoculate against the effects of the cumulative buildup of betrayal traumas and systemic discrimination.

80th Anniversary of the United Nations Organisation - Part II

                       The U.N. should have more support of all nations around the world. We all have the duty to fight corruption, human rights violations, injustice, authoritarianism, lies, and everything that cause suffering to humans.  I have a YouTube channel, here is the link.   https://www.youtube.com/@lucianofietto4773/videos. Since the creation of this channel its visualization counter doesn't work, the same has been happening with the counter of this blog since its creation in 2010.      This post is a summary of two articles. The first was published at https://www.undp.org/saudi-arabia/press-releases/80-years-un-turning-global-ideals-local-impact.  The second was published at https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu-priorities-united-nations_en

                     Eighty years ago, in the aftermath of the most devastating conflict in human history, a new hope was born. The United Nations was created not only as an institution, but as an idea, one rooted in peace, human dignity, justice, and the shared responsibility to build a better world for all. But ideals can't live on paper alone. They must be nurtured, anchored in laws and institutions, and translated into development plans, national visions, and practical actions that reach communities everywhere. They require a collective effort to convene, coordinate, and connect all available energies in pursuit of something greater than ourselves. This is the mission carried every day by the U.N. system. And at the heart of that mission, turning aspiration into transformation stands the U.N. Development Programme. Across the globe, U.N.D.P. works hand in hand with governments and communities to eliminate poverty, reduce inequality, and support sustainable growth. As the U.N. marks its 80th anniversary, and U.N.D.P. marks its 60th anniversary, we celebrate not only the past but the future, a future built on cooperation, on shared purpose, and on the belief that real change is possible when we work together.                                                                                                                                                                                  The E.U. remains a predicable, reliable and credible partner, committed to deliver on global commitments, including through the implementation of the Pact for the Future. The E.U. stands ready to engage with partners in driving forward U.N. reform through the "UN80 Initiative" towards a more effective, cost-efficient and responsive UN. The following five priorities will guide E.U. action at the UN over the next coming year. 1) Support a multilateral system based on international law and the universality of human rights.  2) Advance comprehensive reforms to reinvigorate the UN system, and pursue effective partnerships.  3) Strengthen the UN peace and security architecture.  4) Advance sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda.  5) Address the triple planetary crisis. (climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution). As the UN approaches its 80th anniversary, the EU actively supports the UN80 initiative, launched by the UN Secretary-General to enhance efficiency, improve mandate delivery, and undertake strategic reform, as confirmed by EU leaders in March 2025. As the largest financial contributor to the UN, the EU plays a constructive role in supporting a stronger, more agile and resilient organisation. The EU views the UN80 initiative as a unique opportunity to advance structural efficiencies, refocus the UN on its core mandates, and rebuild global trust in multilateralism. The EU also supports broader reform efforts, including the Pact for the Future, and will continue to work with the UN and all partners to ensure a coherent, inclusive and forward-looking multilateral system fit for the 21st century.