Featured Organization
Defenders in Dordrecht
The Netherlands
Whether it comes in the form of physical or mental exhaustion, activism often takes an intense toll on those involved. While activists and leaders of social movements may feel as though taking time to rest seems impossible when crises await at every turn, rest and relaxation can actually help prevent burnout. Taking space and removing oneself from situations of extreme stress are crucial steps to preserving the mental health and wellbeing of any artist, writer, or individual involved in sustainable activism work.
Defenders in Dordrecht combats activism burnout by helping human and cultural rights defenders manage some of the stress they face. For up to two months, activists who can provide a referral by a known civil society organization are welcomed for a short stay in the small town of Dordrecht in the Netherlands. Along the winding canals of the quiet city, visitors at the DiD guest house are able to enjoy “rest, reflection, and recharging.”
DiD was founded in 2016 by four like-minded citizens of Dordrecht and is run by a group of around 20 volunteers, in parallel with their own professional lives. Being completely staffed by volunteers, the organization operates on a small-scale and hosts only one guest (plus dependents, if so required) at a time. During their stay, the DiD guest is able to benefit from the full attention of the staff, who ensure a smooth transition into life in Dordrecht.
In 2016, DiD welcomed their very first guest, Thai environmental rights defender Lertsak Kumkongsak. At the time acting as coordinator of the Campaign for Public Policy on Mineral Resources (PPM) in Bangkok, Kumkongsak was experiencing harassment for defending the rights of mining communities. The context in which Kumkongsak and other activists in Thailand work is one of extreme stress and risk, as many Thai environmental activists have been threatened or even killed in the last 20 years. The kind of threats Kumkongsak was and continues to receive for his work have a significant negative impact on mental health and of course present a real physical risk. The safety and quiet that DiD offers is critical for individuals such as Kumkongsak, who often struggle to engage during times of high stress. During his time in Dordrecht, Kumkongsak was able to take much-needed time and space to recover, read, and write. In addition to working on various publications about mining during his stay, he was also able to maintain the balance between work and relaxation that DiD wishes for all their guests.
Since their founding, DiD has hosted various guests from around the world, providing them with a safe place to rest, work, and expand their networks with other organizations in Dordrecht and in Europe. In addition to providing their guests with a stipend, health insurance, and lodging, the staff at DiD endeavour to tailor their guests’ stay with experiences that fit their needs and interests. These can include activities such as learning a new language, working to mitigate digital risk, or touring the city of Dordrecht. DiD also supports their guests in organizing events in collaboration with other human rights or cultural institutions in the city. In the past, DiD has put on concerts, gallery shows, and film screenings aimed at increasing public awareness about the work of their guests.
While hosting Pulitzer Prize winning Afghan photographer Massoud Hossain in 2019, DiD, in collaboration with the Afghanistan Photographers' Association and SBK gallery in Dordrecht, hosted an photo exhibition showcasing Hossain’s work in a series entitled “Afghanistan: Life Beyond the Front Pages.” At the event, Hossaini was able to speak about his work and his life and reach a unique audience from Dordrecht and well beyond, who were also treated to a piano recital and Afghan wine. These kinds of collaborative events allow DiD guests to both continue their work from a place of relative safety and make connections with individuals and institutions abroad.
As with all aspects of life, the COVID-19 pandemic has also affected the day-to- day activities of relocation programs such as DiD. Fortunately, DiD has managed to continue to open its doors to guests in need of rest and refuge, categorizing the relocation needs of those fighting for human rights as “essential travel.”
While remaining a small and closely-knight organization, DiD’s network has expanded a great deal since its founding. The organization has ties with a variety of international human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Protection International, as well as with local movie theaters, gallerys, and other cultural institutions in Dordrecht. DiD has been very successful in its mission of providing a safe and comfortable place for activists to continue their work abroad. Recovery from burn out and periods of immense stress are crucial to sustaining one's mental health. Guests at the DiD house notice a marked difference in their work when they are able to balance activism and rest. After just a few weeks in Dordrecht DiD’s first guest, Lertsak Kumkongsak, happily remarked: “My ideas start to sparkle again.”
Volunteers from Amnesty International Dordrecht and Defenders in Dordrecht together with local politicians Mary Ruisch and Kitty Kruger and human rights defender from Pakistan, Rehana Hashmi (from Amnesty international Dordrecht FB)
Since 2017, DiD has worked to ensure that cultural and human rights defenders are able to access the rest and safety they need to continue their fight for social justice.
By Auriane Benabou, February 2022. Benabou is a recent graduate of Brown University, where she received a MA in Slavic Studies.