About Kincentric Social Justice
Kincentric Social Justice is a project offering a transformative journey for social justice advocates in various fields, exploring the link between social justice and kincentric ecology. At the core of this project lies the understanding of the inherent connection between our capacity to advocate for social justice, our relationship with the more-than-human world and individual well being - particularly for young adults navigating the complexities of modern times.
In today's interconnected challenges, known as "polycrises," - a term used to describe situations or contexts where multiple crises occur simultaneously or interrelatedly - the mental health crisis stands out as a critical component, reflecting the deep impact of multifaceted issues on individual well-being and collective resilience. We acknowledge the experience of being disconnected from the more-than-human world as both a cause and a consequence of these crises.
Kincentric Social Justice recognizes the intrinsic link between our capacity to meaningfully engage with social justice matters and our relationship with the more-than human world. A crucial element missing in mainstream social justice work is the experiential understanding of our interconnectedness with the more-than-human world who share the planet with us. While the links between capitalism, exploitative systems, socio-economic inequality, and climate justice are well-documented, mainstream society often lacks awareness of the interconnected nature of human and more-than-human life.
This missing component is essential for fruitful action. To build resilience in addressing the polycrises, we must cultivate a deep, felt connection to our more-than-human kin who dwell on this planet with us. Cultivating this connection not only builds resilience but also provides inspiration, compassion, and insights from the more-than-human world. These learnings can guide us in creating systems and social justice work that align more closely with the natural cycles of life and that are in relation and conversation with the earth, which is the very heart of Kincentric Social Justice. Without this experiential understanding and conversing with the more-than-human world, our efforts will remain missing a crucial component of who we are as human beings in the larger web of life.
A growing area of focus in social justice is the inner work that bridges the personal and the collective. This approach recognizes the importance of personal transformation in driving societal change. However, it often overlooks the critical inclusion of the more-than-human world, which is an integral part of life. Until we embrace this connection, and kincentric approaches to social justice, our solutions and efforts will remain incomplete. There is a need for cultivating capacities for nurturing communities of just relationships among humans and with our more-than human kin. Understanding this relationship is essential for developing holistic and effective strategies that truly address the complexities and injustices of our world.
Our vision is to offer an experience that will strengthen social justice workers in their contexts and inspire people around them to see, co-sense and recognize the connection between mental health, the more-than-human-world, and justice issues - and explore how we as advocates can translate insights into action in our particular context.
We see initiatives like this as a crucial component for empowering today's society to address the world's challenges. By exploring new justice and leadership paradigms and emphasizing the deep connection between justice, well-being and the more-than-human world, we contribute to a collective effort to support thriving life on earth.
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