This is a section of an essay written as part of a boarder paper as part of my Master’s Program in 2019, Brighton – UK

Two years ago, I stepped down from leading a Civil Society Organization (CSO), burnt out and frustrated with the pace of change. This experience prompted me to reflect deeply on the political nature of social change, leading me to pursue a Master’s degree in Power, Participation and Social Change (MAP) at the Institute of Development Studies in the United Kingdom. Through my studies and interactions within Brighton’s vibrant social justice scene, I’ve gained new insights into the complexities of social change, which I aim to explore further through a Critical Enquiry into Practice (CEP) in the UK. This essay provides reflections on attempts to navigate this space.

The Complex Nature of Social Change

Social justice activism is more than just fighting for a cause; it’s about understanding and navigating the intricate web of power dynamics that shape our world. Change is inherently political, and those who seek to make a difference must first grasp the complexity of the systems they are trying to alter. Systems thinking and complexity theory offer valuable frameworks for appreciating this complexity, emphasizing the importance of understanding the interconnected elements within a system and recognizing that change often emerges in unpredictable ways.

Power Dynamics in Activism

A critical aspect of social justice activism is understanding power—how it operates, where it is located, and how it manifests in different forms. Shirlata Batliwala’s framework offers six guiding questions for change makers to analyze power: What is it? Where is it? What does it look like? What are its causes? How is it expressed? How does it work? These questions encourage activists to dig deeper into the root causes of injustice and to recognize the different expressions of power, from visible authority to hidden influences and internalized beliefs.

In my own work, I’ve seen how power dynamics can either enable or undermine efforts for social change. For example, the continued alarming increased rates of gender-based violence in PNG are symptomatic of deep-rooted cultural, institutional and political barriers that enable this evil to prevail. To address such systemic issues, change makers need to adopt a systemic approach, using tools like the Power Cube framework to analyze the spaces, places, and forms of power and their interrelationships.

Balancing Urgency with Strategic Action

One of the biggest challenges in social justice activism is balancing the urgency of action with the need for strategic, long-term thinking. Activism often arises from a sense of frustration and impatience with the slow pace of change, leading to powerful, spontaneous movements like the global #MeToo campaign or the protests in Hong Kong. These movements, fueled by what some scholars call “unruly politics,” draw their power from transgressing established social and political rules.

However, while such movements can be effective in raising awareness and challenging the status quo, they may struggle to achieve lasting systemic change without a clear, strategic approach. This tension between urgency and strategy is something I’ve grappled with in my own praxis. Sometimes, bold, immediate action is necessary to disrupt the system, but sustaining the momentum for long-term change requires patience, reflection, and a deep understanding of the complex dynamics at play.

So What?

Reflecting on these experiences and insights has helped me understand the vital balance between passion-driven activism and strategically grounded action. My personal journey of stepping down from the leadership of a Civil Society Organization, due to burnout and frustration, illuminated how emotional investment in social change can sometimes obscure the need for strategic clarity. The “so what” here is that without comprehending the complexities of power and the systems we seek to alter, social change efforts may falter or become unsustainable.

By studying the nuanced frameworks of power, I have come to see that change is not simply about raising awareness or confronting injustices head-on. It requires a deep understanding of how power operates in various forms—whether visible, hidden, or internalized—and how these forms intersect to either enable or suppress movements for justice. This realization has pushed me to reconsider how I approach my own praxis. Rather than reacting out of frustration with the pace of change, I am now more inclined to take a step back, analyze the systems at play, and choose interventions that are both timely and transformative.

The significance of these reflections is that they do not only shape my own practice but also offer lessons for others navigating the complexities of social justice. The balance between urgency and strategy, the need for systemic thinking, and the understanding of power dynamics are not just theoretical constructs—they are essential tools for anyone looking to engage in sustained, impactful change. The “so what” is that these insights allow me and others to refine our approaches, making us more effective in confronting the deeply entrenched systems of inequality.

Ultimately, my critical enquiry into practice in the UK aims to further unpack these lessons. It is not enough to act; we must act wisely, with a comprehensive grasp of the forces at play, if we are to achieve lasting and meaningful social transformation. This essay reflects my ongoing commitment to understanding and navigating the political nature of change, not just as an individual seeking to contribute to justice, but as part of a broader movement of change makers striving for a more equitable world.