Conversations 4 Citizenship

• Episode 04 | Art as Advocacy : Literature and Human Rights Education in the Philippines

  Professor Rommel Rodriguez, an academic, writer, and staunch human rights advocate from the University of the Philippines, provides a profound overview of the nation's struggle for social justice. He begins by outlining the deep-seated issues of poverty, neocolonialism, and environmental problems that fuel a culture of protest. He details the nation's robust history of protest, from the 1986 People Power Revolution to contemporary movements addressing systemic issues like poverty and corruption.A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the dark legacy of the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship and the current challenges of historical revisionism, particularly under the current government of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of the former dictator, which seeks to erase the dark parts of the country's past.To counter this, Rommel details his unique approach of using literature and art as tools for advocacy, sharing insights from his university course that teaches human rights through creative works. He argues this method builds empathy and allows for discussions on sensitive topics like political imprisonment. Furthermore, he emphasizes the importance of extending activism beyond the classroom, describing the vital role of student movements in supporting grassroots causes.Despite facing personal risks, including having his book banned, Professor Rodriguez finds hope in collective action. He underscores the power of solidarity among artists, academics, and the Filipino diaspora in creating a potent counter-narrative to official government rhetoric. The episode concludes with his firm belief that educating future generations is the most crucial step toward building a more just and humane Philippine society.This episode is hosted by Dr. Stella Cheong. Please subscribe to the podcast through Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music or Audible. You may also follow @c4cpodcast.bsky.social on Bluesky. We look forward to hearing your feedback. If you would like to explore participating in our podcast and submit your blog post to the C4C,  do not hesitate to reach out through the online participation form or email us at [email protected] If you would like to learn more about the hidden history-- democratization movement and the coup d’état-- in the Philippines, along with insights into the current human rights movement and Prof. Rodriguez’s banned books, please visit the links below.Rommel Rodriguez's CVAuthors unbowed after gov’t ‘purge’ of booksKWF memo banning ‘subversive’ books voidedShortsighted and arrogant moveHere are some of the short documentaries Prof. Rodriguez did about political prisoners in the PhilippinesTanikala at Talinhaga 1 (Chained Metaphors)Tanikala at Talinhaga 2Tanikala at Talinhaga 3 Also here are some documentaries about the social illnesses in the Philippines. *Note. Just some trigger warning because the video contains violent images:Sa Ngalan ng Tubo (In the Name of Profit/Sugarcane)Mendiola Massacre (during the first year of presidency of corazon aquino, 1987)  Contact Conversations4citizenshipTweet us @c4c_ed and @stellarcheongBluesky @c4cpodcast.bsky.social.Email us at [email protected] your work us at http://www.conversations4citizenship.comYou can now follow the Conversations4Citizenship on Bluesky @c4cpodcast.bsky.socialThanks for listening and keeping Conversations4Citizenship podcasting!

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• Episode 03 | The Virtuous Circle: A Conversation with Dr. Tara Bartlett on Youth Agency and School Participatory Budgeting

  In this episode, Dr. Tara Bartlett details School Participatory Budgeting (SPB) as a transformative democratic process where students decide how a portion of their school’s public budget is spent. Originating in the US in Arizona, this initiative provides students with tangible experience in civic decision-making, moving beyond theoretical education. The process is designed to be inclusive, intentionally engaging students who are not the “usual suspects” in leadership to build their agency and confidence. By taking part in needs assessments, proposal development, and voting, students develop critical 21st-century skills like budgeting, collaboration, and civil discourse. Dr. Bartlett emphasizes that SPB functions as a real-world application of democratic principles, demonstrating to young people that their participation can lead to meaningful improvements in their communities and foster a culture of active, engaged citizenship.The practical impact of School Participatory Budgeting extends far beyond the allocation of funds; it cultivates a deep sense of social justice and civic responsibility among students. Dr. Bartlett shares powerful examples, including elementary students advocating for ADA-accessible playground equipment and high school students successfully lobbying to remove a vendor using prison labor from the district’s approved list. The process also creates direct pathways to wider civic life by partnering with local agencies to register eligible students to vote during SPB election days. This connection between school-level action and formal democratic participation is key. By involving students, parents, and educators, SPB strengthens the entire school ecosystem, breaking down silos and proving that collective, democratic engagement can create more equitable and responsive institutions.This episode is hosted by Dr. Kamille Beye. Please subscribe to the podcast through Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music or Audible. You may also follow @c4cpodcast.bsky.social on Bluesky. We look forward to hearing your feedback. If you would like to explore participating in our podcast and submit your blog post to the C4C,  do not hesitate to reach out through the online participation form or email us at [email protected] If you are curious about School Participatory Budgeting (SPB), check out her new book, 'Educating for Democracy' and visit the Center for the Future of Arizona's website linked below.Schugurensky, D., & Bartlett, T. (Eds.). (2024). Educating for Democracy: The Case for Participatory Budgeting in Schools. Edward Elgar Publishing.The Center for the Future of Arizona  Contact Conversations4citizenshipTweet us @c4c_ed and @stellarcheongBluesky @c4cpodcast.bsky.social.Email us at [email protected] your work us at http://www.conversations4citizenship.comYou can now follow the Conversations4Citizenship on Bluesky @c4cpodcast.bsky.socialThanks for listening and keeping Conversations4Citizenship podcasting!

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• Episode 02 | Rethinking Knowledge: Vygotsky, AI Ethics, and the Call for Epistemic Pluralism with Dr. Shone Surendran

  Dr. Shone Surendran's unique intellectual path began with aerospace engineering, followed by six transformative years of monastic training in India. This blend of scientific rigor and deep spiritual immersion laid the groundwork for his current role as an academic philosopher. His thinking has been profoundly shaped by non-dualist interpretations of Vygotsky, influenced by German Idealism (via Jan Derry), and rich Indian philosophies like Advaita Vedanta. These diverse influences equipped him with a framework to understand knowledge beyond the confines of traditional Western dualistic perspectives, fostering a more interconnected view of mind, world, and ultimate reality.Working at Amrita University in Kerala, Dr. Surendran develops philosophy modules for cognitive science students, where he has observed firsthand how students from the Global South often feel their indigenous philosophical traditions are undervalued in Western-dominated academia. This phenomenon, which he terms 'epistemic exclusion,' is a central theme in his research. It extends into his work on AI ethics, particularly within NHS genomics projects, where he focuses on effectively communicating complex AI concepts to diverse patient groups and critically examining algorithmic biases, such as the 'colonial bias' embedded in large language models that can perpetuate historical inequalities.Ultimately, Dr. Surendran critiques the 'academic hegemony' of the Global North, passionately advocating for 'philosophical diversity' and 'epistemic pluralism.' His projects, such as autobiographical writing linking superhero narratives to decolonization, exemplify his commitment to bridging diverse domains. He calls on universities to foster genuine intercultural dialogue, acknowledge varied ways of knowing including spiritual traditions, and cultivate truly inclusive learning environments. His work champions a fundamental re-evaluation of knowledge, urging a shift towards a more holistic, equitable, and globally representative approach to education and technology.This episode is hosted by Dr. Adam Lang. Please subscribe to the podcast through Apple, Google, Spotify, or Amazon Music. You may also follow @c4c_ed on Twitter. We look forward to hearing your feedback. If you would like to explore participating in our podcast and submit your blog post to the C4C,  do not hesitate to reach out through the online participation form or email us at [email protected] Reading ListSurendran, S. (2023). Inferentialism and science education: Towards meaningful communication in primary science classrooms (Doctoral thesis, University College London). https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10172785/Surendran, S., George, S. A., & S, G. (2025). Personal tutoring in the face of philosophical diversity: Critical voices & international perspectives. Research Intelligence, (162), 28–29.Surendran, S. (2025). Superhero representations and philosophical perspectives: From fandom to Brandom. In Y. Chen & N. Robertson (Eds.), Autobiography, fan fiction, and education (pp. 27–49). Bloomsbury Academic publishing. *Note. Publication date is 13 Nov. 2025 (ISBN-13: 978-1666969474; Available to pre-order)Miller, Denise, Emma Towers, and Shone Surendran. (2022). Guest Editors. Decolonising the School Curriculum. London Review of Education. Editorial Doi: https://doi.org/10.14324/LRE.21.1.06. Official URL: https://journals.uclpress.co.uk/lre/collections/511/Miller, D., Surendran, S., & Meheux, M. (2024). Guest Editors. Intersectional Identities, Education, Psychology and Social Justice Part One. Educational and Child Psychology, 41(2), 5-6. Editorial:https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/48691/ Official URL: https://explore.bps.org.uk/content/bpsecp/41/2Surendran, S., Meheux, M. & Miller, D. (2025). Guest Editors. Intersectional Identities, Education, Psychology and Social Justice Part Two. Educational and Child Psychology, 42(1), 5-https://explore.bps.org.uk/content/bpsecp/42/1/2, Official URL: https://explore.bps.org.uk/content/bpsecp/42/1Bhambra, Gurminder K., Dalia Gebrial, and Kerem Nisancloglu, eds. (2018). Decolonising the University, 1st ed. Pluto Press.Garfield, J. L., & Van Norden, B. W. (2016, May 11). If philosophy won’t diversify, let’s call it what it really is. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/11/opinion/if-philosophy-wont-diversify-lets-call-it-what-it-really-is.htmlWong, S. H. M., Gishen, F., & Lokugamage, A. U. (2021). ‘Decolonising the Medical Curriculum’: Humanising medicine through epistemic pluralism, cultural safety and critical consciousness. London Review of Education, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.14324/lre.19.1.16Derry, J. (2013). Vygotsky: Philosophy and education. John Wiley & Sons.Dafermos, Manolis. 2018. Rethinking Cultural-historical Theory: A Dialectical Perspective to Vygotsky, vol. 4. Singapore: Springer.Dafermos, Manolis. 2018. “Relating Dialogue and Dialectics: a Philosophical Perspective.” Dialogic Pedagogy, 6: Online. https://doi .org /10 .5195 /dpj .2018 .189.Bakhurst, David. 2011. The Formation of Reason. Malden, MA: Wiley.Webb, S. (2023). Interpreting Kant for Education: Dissolving Dualisms and Embodying Mind: John Wiley & Sons.Brandom, R. (2009). Articulating reasons: An introduction to inferentialism. Harvard University Press.Bransen, J. (2002). Normativity as the key to objectivity: An exploration of Robert Brandom's articulating reasons. Inquiry, 45(3), 373-391.Guru, Nataraja. (1990). Life and Teachings of Narayana Guru. Varkala, Narayana Gurukula Foundation.Guru, Nataraja (2005). Unitive Philosophy. New Delhi: D.K. Printworld.Prasad, Muni Narayana. (2009). Narayana Guru: Complete Works. India: National Book Trust.Yati, N. C. (2013). That Alone: The Core of Wisdom. New Delhi: D.K. Printworld.**If you would like to learn more about Amrita University, feel free to click here.  Contact Conversations4citizenshipTweet us @c4c_ed and @stellarcheongBluesky @c4cpodcast.bsky.social.Email us at [email protected] your work us at http://www.conversations4citizenship.comYou can now follow the Conversations4Citizenship on Bluesky @c4cpodcast.bsky.socialThanks for listening and keeping Conversations4Citizenship podcasting!

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• Episode 01| Youth in Action : Democratic Resilience After Martial Law in South Korea

  *NOTE. This episode was recorded in January, 2025The first episode of Season 4 features three Korean university students—Yebin, Yoosun, and Junseo—who participated in protests following President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024.  Initially, the students were shocked by the unprecedented military presence, describing the scene as "chaotic" and "unrealistic." Throughout the conversation, they explain their backgrounds in activism, ranging from labor rights to feminism and LGBTQ+ advocacy. They attribute the current crisis not only to Yoon's "incapability as a leader" but also to fundamental flaws in South Korea's constitutional system, particularly the "five-year imperial presidency."Furthermore, they critically assess South Korea's education system, noting its failure to adequately teach civic engagement and democratic values. Despite this, they acknowledge how history lessons about past resistance movements have inspired current protests.Looking ahead, the students express concern about growing political polarization but remain cautiously optimistic. They emphasize the importance of constitutional reform, stronger civic education, and continued solidarity among diverse groups. Most importantly, they stress that democracy requires constant vigilance, noting that "suspending Yoon from his duty does not automatically restore democracy."To young people around the world facing the rise of far-right movements, Korean youth emphasize the importance of solidarity and coalition-building. As Junseo points out, "We need to have coalition and solidarity under the ideas that we think are important, like equality, peace or antiwar." Moreover, they stress that democracy requires constant vigilance, as Yoosun notes, "Citizens must maintain their views and keep watching." In essence, the democratic crisis is not someone else's problem—it requires collective action across generations and borders to protect and strengthen democratic values worldwide. Contact Conversations4citizenshipTweet us @c4c_ed and @stellarcheongBluesky @c4cpodcast.bsky.social.Email us at [email protected] your work us at http://www.conversations4citizenship.comYou can now follow the Conversations4Citizenship on Bluesky @c4cpodcast.bsky.socialThanks for listening and keeping Conversations4Citizenship podcasting!

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• Season 3 Reflections and 2024 Year in Review with Dr. Adam Lang and Dr. Stella Cheong

  The special 2024 review episode of the Conversations4Citizenship podcast takes a deep dive into a year marked by turbulence and inspiration, showcasing the resilience of global citizenship in the face of immense challenges. Hosted by Dr. Adam Peter Lang and Dr. Stella Micheong Cheong, the episode reflects on pivotal events such as elections in over half the world, revolutions in Bangladesh and Syria, ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, democratic protests in South Korea, and the evolving role of AI governance in peacebuilding. The hosts reaffirm the podcast’s mission to foster understanding and dialogue amidst an ever-changing geopolitical landscape.The episode revisits highlights from Season 3, which tackled pressing issues like misinformation, inequality, civic engagement, youth activism, and creative research methods. Notable discussions included "critical harmony" in education, technology’s potential for peacebuilding, and strategies for navigating democratic resistance. These conversations featured distinguished experts who brought fresh insights into the challenges of our time.Looking ahead to 2025, Season 4 promises an exciting shift in focus. The podcast will spotlight activists and practitioners working on the frontlines of social change, amplifying voices from diverse contexts. To enhance global dialogue, a new interactive website will also be launched, encouraging deeper engagement with listeners worldwide.As they close the episode, the hosts share a hopeful message for justice and harmony in the coming year. Now reaching listeners in 71 countries, Conversations4Citizenship Podcast has solidified its place as a leading platform for citizenship and human rights education—an essential resource for navigating today’s complex world. Contact Conversations4citizenshipTweet us @c4c_ed and @stellarcheongBluesky @c4cpodcast.bsky.social.Email us at [email protected] your work us at http://www.conversations4citizenship.comYou can now follow the Conversations4Citizenship on Bluesky @c4cpodcast.bsky.socialThanks for listening and keeping Conversations4Citizenship podcasting!

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