Having Indifference to the System

This area of work is a site of structural harm by systems that are oftentimes unable and unwilling to change, it is not a place for everyone. We have a responsibility to safeguard at this level, this will be a difficult process, and we must be prepared for nothing or no response from local authority and developers. However, whilst we build towards this we keep an indifference to the system, meaning: we build with what we have, and we make the most of the process. Discerning where to spend your energy, and to what audience is crucial for the long term sustainability of your campaign or advocacy journey. Focusing on ensuring that the process itself has the potential to be enriching, connecting and purposeful can keep your group going through difficult times. 

An HIA can be both a declaration of autonomous healing and a baselining of community health as well as a mechanism to challenge the system and disrupt a decision. The former propositional HIA may not be for the explicit use of the local authority and rather a tool to internally understand how the determinants of health are manifesting and impacting your community, doing this process is a tool against gaslighting. It can then be used as a way to onboard GP practices, schools, and other community groups to collectively organise and build alliances that stand independent of the system. 

We published a provocation on Health Reparations, which gives case studies of people building alternative systems alongside challenging or despite the challenges of the system. This approach means not waiting for the change from within to occur. Knowing where you are positioned in this approach and strategy will serve you. A CHIA can be created solely for your own means, baselining your community’s health, highlighting areas for organising and connecting to deepen your community’s readiness to respond to a changing climate (social, political, economic as well as environmental).