care Care is a structural practice in the logic of the commons. It expresses itself through kindness in the relationship between peers, in the shared responsibility towards collective spaces, and in the sensible perception of each person’s mood and pace.
“THERE IS NO COMMONS WITHOUT COMMONING. THERE IS NO COMMONS WITHOUT CARE.” That’s why, at Colaboradora - Enterprises for Change, we placed care as one of the pillars of the educational process. People who have been historically underrepresented, such as youth, LGBTQIA+, black, peripheral, and indigenous people usually suffer from the cruel effects of a system that repeatedly excludes them and induces situations of subordination and violence. This often leads them to question their own abilities. When choosing to prioritize these communities in the composition of the group of participants at Colaboradora, we considered the importance of working on psychosocial aspects that often hinder their full performance as leaders and entrepreneurs.
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The topic of emotional balance was developed through exercises and reflections that touched on issues such as nonviolent communication, self-esteem, recognition and expression of emotions, anti-racism, and well-being. The colabs reviewed the meaning of their practices and behaviors through critical self-reflection, mutual support, and the understanding of oppression as a systemic, nonindividual phenomenon.
tip: Many of the factors that lead to suffering are the result of a harmful social order which we can’t fully control. Under these conditions, placing care at the center of our work means being able to at least strengthen people to face this situation, allowing them to develop selfknowledge and emotional resources that can be decisive for their success.
Colaboradora - ENTERPRISES FOR CHANGE
