Network of Human Rights and Psychology Groups

Date: Thursday 7th November 2024

Meeting Minutes

Date: Thursday 7th November 2024

Participants:

•Tony Wainwright: Resides in Cornwall, UK. Holds an honorary contract with the University of Exeter and works with the British Psychological Society. On the steering group of the Global Network of Psychologists for Human Rights.

•Nora Sveaass: Professor Emeritus at the University of Oslo, Norway, with extensive experience in human rights work. Passionate about continuing human rights efforts despite retirement.

•Polli Hagenaars: Based in Amsterdam, engaged in psychology and human rights, with a focus on non-discrimination and inclusion. Founder member of the Global Network  Human Rights in Psychology.

•Debora Di Scala: Based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, originally from Italy. Recently graduated in Clinical Psychology and involved in the Netherlands’ psychology and human rights network.

•Shakiba Moghadam: Lecturer in Psychology at Southampton Solent University, UK. Engages in community psychology, focusing on refugees, asylum seekers, and human rights. Former refugee from Iran, which fuels her passion for human rights. Celebrating her birthday on the meeting day. Chair of the BPS human rights and psychology committee.

•George Drazenovich: From Thunder Bay, Canada, involved in decolonizing work and teaching at Northern Ontario School of Medicine University. Experienced in human rights, psychology, and education.

•Derek Indoe: Clinical and forensic psychologist specialising in trauma. Experienced in international human rights work, especially in the Middle East and Brazil.

•Dandrea Reeder: Originally from the United States, studying conflict studies and human rights in Utrecht, Netherlands. Looking forward to merging human rights and psychology in her studies and career.

•Demetra Korogiannou: Based in the Netherlands but originally from Greece, engaged in the Netherlands Institute’s human rights and psychology network.

•Elaine Rogers: Clinical psychologist from Ireland, with a background in disability and human rights. Actively involved in human rights and psychology within the Psychological Society of Ireland

•Carlotta Raby: Background in international politics and human rights, clinical psychologist. Works as a clinical lead for Trauma Treatment International.

Brief reports on work of psychology associations.

British Psychological Society (BPS):
Tony Wainwright, Shakiba Moghadam and Lotta Raby highlighted the ongoing efforts within the BPS Human Rights Group, including its work on promoting human rights-focused initiatives within the organisation.

It was noted that there is scope to expand these initiatives further and strengthen their impact through collaborative efforts.

Netherlands Institute of Psychologists (NIP):
Several attendees, including Debora Di Scala, Demetra Korogiannou, and Polli Hagenaars, discussed their involvement in the Netherlands’ Human Rights and Psychology Network.

They emphasised the importance of integrating human rights into psychology practices and the need for more active engagement in the network.

Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI):
Elaine Rogers shared updates on the Irish Psychological Association’s Human Rights Group, which she helped establish.

 

Work with Refugees and Trauma

Shakiba Moghadam shared her experiences working with refugees and asylum seekers, particularly in the UK. Her work emphasises mental health challenges faced by displaced individuals and how community psychology can address these issues.

Discussed her perspective on how psychology can play a role in sports settings, particularly in raising awareness of human rights violations linked to major international events like the Olympics.

Derek Indoe highlighted his work with trauma survivors in the Middle East, particularly focusing on Palestinian and Brazilian communities. Derek inquired about Australia’s policies regarding visa allocation for refugees in Jordan, reflecting on the challenges faced by displaced populations when seeking asylum.

 

Decolonisation and Indigenous Rights

George Drazenovich spoke about his work in Canada, integrating decolonisation frameworks into psychological practice and teaching emphasised the importance of addressing historical injustices and creating spaces for Indigenous voices in psychology and human rights discussions.

 

Student Engagement and Education

Dandrea Reeder Shared her perspective as a student in conflict studies and human rights, based in Utrecht. She expressed excitement about integrating human rights principles into psychology and contributing to the global network.

She explained the need for greater opportunities for students to participate in human rights work and learn from experienced professionals.

Task Allocation and Planning

Website Updates

Shakiba and Tony  would meet with Merry Bullock to work on updating the group’s section of the Global Network website and enhancing its usability for outreach.

Bulletin Contributions: It had been suggested by Nora Sveaass that there could be a regular section of the GN bulletin devoted to the work of a particular psychology association. These sections could be posted on our section of the website. (since the meeting Gabe Twose from the American Psychological Association has kindly agreed to do the first one in the December bulletin.

Networking and Collaboration:

There was discussion about how we might reach out to psychology associations that currently lack human rights groups, offering support and mentorship and others that already have them. Agreed that we would ask each member of the group to take on a small number of Associations to follow up.

Actions:

To provide a monthly bulletin section on human rights from a psychology association. Volunteers needed.

To link up with psychology associations.

Next Steps:

Next Meeting: to be agreed when we have identified the next association and speaker so it fits with their time zone.

Bulletin and Website Updates: Shakiba and Tony to work on bulletin contributions.

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.