„Indo-European in Basis and Origin“. Das altirische Recht zwischen insularem Archaismus und europäischer Verflechtung

INTRODUCTION The historical roots of early Irish law stretch back into antiquity and were passed on in the rich oral history, poetry, sagas, law and wisdom-texts, that have come down to us. The body of law is frequently referred to as Brehon Law, so-called as it was applied by judges named breitheamhuin or brehons, in the Irish language. The more appropriate term is fenechas defined as ‘law of the Feni [freemen], customary or traditional law, [or] native law’. Promulgated or written law, much of it developed by the church, was known as Cain law. The primary old Irish law-text is the Senchas Mar (great tradition). This grounding document constitutes a third of all surviving law-texts. Reputedly originally assembled at the insistence of St. Patrick in the fifth century of the common era (CE), the Senchas Mar as we now know it was compiled in the seventh century CE and brings together a number of distinct texts, addressing a range of civil and political as well as economic and social matters. An understanding of old Irish law also requires recourse to a wide range of other law-texts, as well as oral tradition captured in the sagas, poems and wisdom-texts. Law-texts on issues as diverse as the law of bee-keeping, the status of poets (who were key to the learning and transmission of the law), the principal remedies for civil and criminal harm, and canon law demonstrate the breadth and depth of old Irish law. Although law in Ireland was not primarily legislative or king-made there was long tradition of national and local assemblies, such as the Feis of Tara, which may have served to ‘preserve [customary] laws and rules’. While kings could issue ordinances in times of emergency, law was primarily derived from custom and was found and interpreted by the legal class (poets and brehons) with strong clerical influences — an influence probably exercised by druids in earlier times. Though justice was primarily adjudicated by brehons, kings were linked to the process and may have adjudicated certain cases and/or played a role in approving the decision of a brehon. The Senchas Mar shows the significant influence of the church in revision of the law and may be seen as the end result of a collaborative process to reconcile ‘native oral custom with written Christian doctrine’.

Migracijski val od 2014. do 2016. u kojem je velik broj djece i majki iz država Sjevernog trokuta na putu prema krajnjem odredištu SAD-u bio u tranzitu Meksikom okarakteriziran je krizom. Kriza je podrazumijevala postojanje prijetnje koja opravdava provođenje izvanrednih mjera. Teza rada je da pod utjecajem SAD-a Meksiko migrante u tranzitu smatra prijetnjom sigurnosti građanima Meksika, a ne ugroženim pripadnicima istoga kulturnoga kruga koje treba zaštititi. Stoga se prema njima ne odnosi u skladu s ciljem ljudske sigurnosti, već primjenjuje silu. Rad predstavlja studiju slučaja. U prvom odjeljku dani su prikaz vrsta migracija i poimanje migracija u kontekstu ljudske i građanske sigurnosti, dok su u drugom analizirani potisni i privlačni faktori migracija iz država Sjevernog trokuta. U trećem odjeljku prikazana je politika tranzitne države Meksika prema ilegalnim migrantima. U radu je izložen sud o migracijskoj politici Meksika prema migrantima u tranzitu. Zaključeno je da je iz perspektive ljudske sigurnosti politika bila »loša« jer je bila diskriminirajuća i u neskladu s kulturno-političkim kontekstom te moralnim i zakonskim normama. No gledano iz perspektive nacionalne sigurnosti politika je bila »dobra« jer je bila ostvariva, postigla je rezultate uz prihvatljiv trošak ljudi i sredstva i njome su obranjeni državni interesi Meksika – dobri odnosi sa SAD-om.

Reviews 127 The glosses and commentary added to legal tracts over time are of great intrinsic interest. They have long been under-appreciated by students of Old Irish law, whose primary interest was in the ancient and archaic elements of the oldest texts. It is a welcome sign that they receive the attention that they deserve here. But perhaps the difference between the original text and the later commentary could have been emphasized a little more. On the whole, however, A raven’s battle-cry is a carefully researched and well-written book, a welcome addition to the list of modern editions and translations of Old Irish laws. Eska has made available, for the first time, a text that will be of interest to linguists and historians for years to come. She has also illuminated many of the opaque passages and the legal culture that they document. Darren McGettigan, Richard ii and the Irish kings. Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2016. ISBN: 978–1–84682–602–3. 232 pages. $29.95 (paper). Gregory J. Darling Hostos Community College & Fordham University In Richard ii and the Irish kings, Darren McGettigan has illumined one aspect of the tragedy that encompasses the life and death of Richard ii: his two expeditions to Ireland in 1394–1395 and in 1399. The second expedition was disastrous for the ill-fated king, for, in his absence from England, his cousin Henry Bolingbroke returned from exile to organize his forces for the eventual deposition of Richard ii. In his book, McGettigan details the violent context of the struggle between Irish kings and English lords, while shedding light on three talented Irish kings with whom Richard ii had to contend: Art MacMurchadha Caomhánach of Leinster (1375–1416/1417); and Neill Mór and Neill Óg Ó Néill of Tyrone, high kings of Ulster (1364–1397 and 1397–1403, respectively). McGettigan notes in his Introduction that ‘these three men were successful, ambitious and capable kings, who achieved a great deal of real substance’ (15). McGettigan indicates the various sources that provide information about the expedition of Richard ii to Ireland: a chronicle by Froissart (who interviewed the squire Henry Cristall, a captive in Ireland during his youth), a travel account by Viscount Ramon de Perillos of Aragon, an account by Jean Creton—who wrote ‘La prinse et mort du roy Richart’, Irish primary sources (including bardic poems and annals), English annals composed in Latin, 39 instruments and 36 letters in Latin (associated Richard ii’s first expedition to Ireland), seven letters in French, the Calendar of Irish Chancery Letters (composed ca. 1244–1504 and given the acronym CIRCLE), and primary-source documents in English archives. McGettigan sets Gregory J. Darling [gregorydarling@msn.com] obtained his Ph.D. from the Department of English at the CUNY Graduate Center in 2003. His dissertation was based on a medieval Irish manuscript. He currently teaches in New York City at Hostos Community College and Monroe College. 128 North American journal of Celtic studies forth his discussion of Richard ii’s Irish expedition in six chapters. Included in the book are illustrations of documents, artifacts, fortifications, and people connected with the expeditions, as well as an extensive bibliography, index, and maps. In Chapter 1, ‘Richard ii and his western island’, McGettigan describes for the reader the context of Richard ii’s expedition by providing a description of Richard ii himself as king and by presenting the political situation of Ireland on the eve of the expedition. Richard ii, capable of vindictiveness and compassion during his time as king, ‘was the first reigning English monarch to visit the lordship of Ireland since King John in 1210’ (34). Richard ii, according to McGettigan, was inclined toward an ‘imperial concept in the organization of his territory’ (34). McGettigan observes that ‘Richard’s interest in Ireland may have been about the logical development of his pre-existing involvement with some of the western areas of his English kingdom, such as the Chester region and Wales’ (34). About the political situation in Ireland in 1394, at the outset of Richard ii’s first expedition, McGettigan states that there were two Irelands: the ‘lordship of Ireland’ and Gaelic Ireland, ‘a...

Political realism and the quest for political progress

Although the surviving written texts must be our evidence, they are not identical with the subject to be investigated. The great bulk of legal activity was oral, and on this the written sources often shed only an indirect light. In spite of this difficulty, however, we must be concerned with the totality, both written and unwritten, since otherwise explanation will be impossible. It will also be necessary to examine the principal Irish text of canon law, the ‘Collectio canonum Hibernensis’. I shall refer to the vernacular texts as native Irish law or as secular Irish law.

Promote research, education and training in the environmental sciences. romote the systematic application of all relevant scientific disciplines to the evaluation of chemical hazards. articipate in the scientific interpretation of issues concerned with hazard assessment and risk analysis. upport forums (meetings and publications) for communication among professionals in government, business, and academia and other segments of society involved in the use, protection, and management of our environment. SETAC's success reflects not only the foresight and soundness of the original concept, but also the priorities and changes in society at large during the last several decades. Society's awareness of environmental problems and issues grew tremendously from the mid-1970s through the 1990s. A more informed public demanded that environmental hazards be addressed and that corporations accept responsibility for environmental impacts caused by action or negligence. As government and industry responded to the public's demand for prevention and better environmental solutions, SETAC was uniquely positioned to contribute. The Society provided a venue for presenting data, discussing scientific questions, and working on practical solutions to complex problems, with participants able to transcend affiliations with industry, government, or academia. As the science and technology for addressing and solving environmental problems grew more sophisticated, so did SETAC, and this was reflected in its journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, at annual meetings, and by the increasing number and complexity of problems considered at workshops. As developments in information technology and global travel occurred, the Society kept pace, increasing the number, quality, and frequency of publications; communicating more rapidly and effectively to more individuals, institutions, and organizations; and improving member services overall. As SETAC matures, the focus, aspect, and breadth of vision of the Society continue to evolve. SETAC's membership is increasingly international. Much of the international growth of SETAC reflects the response of scientists worldwide to a winning model for furthering environmental science and solving environmental problems. Members have different priorities, needs, and contributions, largely dependent on their cultural, economic, geographical, and political context. Additionally, the scale and pace of environmental issues are changing worldwide. Many environmental management decisions must be made on a spatially large scale or a temporally significant one. Research is needed at all levels of complexity, from the subcellular level to that of the global ecosystem, to support these decision needs. Although the spatial scale creates difficulties in problem formulation, data collection, and interpretation, it increases the likelihood that studies are designed and data collected to answer the large-scale and/or long-term questions key to protecting and managing ecological and natural resources. The internationalization of SETAC and the need to address environmental problems on a large-scale, prospective basis present the Society with challenges and exciting opportunities as it enters its 20th year. The challenges and opportunities involve growing in a manner that continues to further environmental science and contributes to informed environmental management—and is also satisfying to individual members during the journey. onducting efficiently the Society's business around the world and equitably allocating costs. nsuring that the Society speaks with a consistent voice in keeping with its mission, when so many different cultural, political, geographical, and technical backgrounds represent it. ransferring the SETAC culture of balanced representation across disciplines and sectors in membership, scientific events, and leadership. aintaining the continental/regional autonomies that have worked so well while growing as a united, single Society with worldwide membership. etaining the quality and relevance of our publications while responding to the needs of members in countries at various stages of economic development. eeting the demand to review and publish original, fast-breaking science promptly, given the increasing volume and changing breadth of environmental science. Based on these considerations and many others, changes in how the Society is managed and administrated may occur. Decisions for specific changes will require affirmative responses to the following: Does the change better serve members? Is this the best way to achieve the Society's long-term goals of furthering science and promoting informed environmental management? Under most definitions, sustainable development provides an umbrella under which many of the difficult environmental, economic, and social issues that must be faced by society in the coming years can be addressed. The world population is expected to double by 2050, with 90% of the increase in developing countries. To simply maintain the current standard of living in those countries will require economic growth. The challenge will be to deliver an acceptable standard of living for many more people while ensuring that the ecological foundations upon which society depends are protected and are themselves sustainable. Successfully integrating economic growth, social enhancement, and environmental improvement on a local scale while understanding the broader consequences of decisions on a national or regional scale will be required. The most exciting opportunities for the foreseeable future of the Society stem from participating and contributing to progress toward sustainable development. The priorities for SETAC involvement and action identified by the long-range planning activities of the SETAC Board and Long-Range Planning Committee during 1997 and 1998 are directly related or relevant to this topic. Sustainable development encompasses much more than the science or technologies that are the traditional purview of SETAC and that fit the expertise of most SETAC members. It involves integration of social, ethical, political, economic, and environmental issues. Environmental toxicology and chemistry are relevant for only a subset of sustainable development discussions. They are, however, relevant to the environmental component of sustainability. The culture, history, and scientific focus of SETAC position it to contribute meaningfully. A larger international membership and more global perspective bring additional value to the Society's traditional strengths. Solving the most complex (and often most important) environmental problems facing society and the planet today demand the multi-and interdisciplinary and multisectoral approaches that are the strength of SETAC. The scale and linkages required will stretch even SETAC. Two areas of SETAC's strength with particular relevance for contributing to sustainability are the experience of working effectively across boundaries of expertise and affiliation to solve environmental problems and the development and use of science-based methodologies to aid decision makers. SETAC has been crossing boundaries and building bridges since its inception. The scientific questions and management decisions required for sustainable development are ones that will require multidisciplinary, multistakeholder input. Boundaries between scientific disciplines, between scientists and managers, between scientists and policy makers, and between people (specifically scientists) of different languages and cultures need to be crossed to achieve sustainability. Partnerships between ecologists versed in the complex questions of how ecological communities function, as well as closer partnerships with soil scientists, microbiologists, biochemists, and geochemists, need to be cultivated with SETAC's toxicologists and chemists. Issues to be addressed include ecosystem management, ecosystem restoration and rehabilitation, resource valuation and management, assimilation capacity, and biodiversity. In ecosystems on every continent, species exist that have not yet been discovered, much less studied to understand their functions within their ecological community or potential values to humans. There are gaps in knowledge with regard to understanding the sources, mechanisms of action, and means for mitigating the effects of ecosystem stressors (biological, chemical, and physical). The toxicological effects of the chemical synergy or antagonism are not well defined for many combinations of chemicals in the laboratory, and much less well defined in the environment, where, to name a few, the influences of temperature, moisture, soil type, shelter, and species interactions are present. Significant challenges exist in elucidating the spatial and temporal extent of environmental contamination on a large scale. Physical alterations, such as loss of habitat, can be more important to species survival and ecosystem sustainability than chemical contamination and yet are rarely considered when assessing ecological risk. It must be acknowledged that human beings are part of, not separate from, the environment. The assumption of interconnections between human health and ecosystem function is a given; it is intuitive and significant [1]. While this may be so, recognition by many SETAC members that our Society has a role to play in the assessment of risk to human health has been slow. Equally slow has been recognition by mammalian toxicologists and human/public health experts that surrounding (natural) environments must be considered when assessing risk to people. Bridges are already being built in this area, with SETAC members actively engaged in making scientific contributions in both toxicology and ecotoxicology as well as to ecological and human risk assessments. SETAC has formally begun enhancing its relationships with professional societies on both sides of our traditional boundaries, including the Ecological Society of America and the Society of Toxicology. The theme of the 1998 annual meeting, The Natural Connection: Environmental Integrity and Human Health, clearly demonstrates the commitment to expanding activities and collaborations in this area. In addition to communication and cross-fertilization between scientific communities, more interaction and mutual learning experiences are needed between environmental specialists and environmental managers in both business and government. Better and deeper understanding of science needs to be inserted into environmental management and decision making. Every day people in governments and multinational corporations use readily available knowledge and experience acquired over the years to make decisions that have long-lasting, and in some cases permanent, impacts on the environment. Not only does basic science need to be conducted, results and interpretations must also be communicated in a meaningful way to policymakers, regulatory experts, and business leaders to ensure that state-of-the-art science plays an appropriate role in decision making. Transcending boundaries, even those between scientific disciplines, has not been without controversy within SETAC. Even more controversial is moving into the realm of policy. Out of the comfort zone of our laboratories, study sites, and offices, we are in a world that in large part lacks environmental literacy [2]. SETAC has already moved in the last five years toward being much more engaged in communicating “good or sound” science and crossing the boundary between scientists and policymakers. Examples include the Science Fellow Program and Technical Issue Papers. Another recent initiative is the Peer Review Program, where SETAC will facilitate balanced, objective peer reviews of environmental programs or documents for governmental or other organizations. In all cases thus far, when SETAC has moved towards bridging gaps, the results have been beneficial for the Society and the issues have been better served by the diversity of environmental expertise and outlook. SETAC members have been instrumental in developing and bringing into common usage methodologies for evaluating different aspects of human-initiated impacts on the environment: ecological risk and life-cycle assessment (LCA). Ecological risk assessment provides a systematic method for estimating the nature and likelihood of adverse effects on the environment. It provides a structure for interaction and cooperation and makes it more likely that management decisions will be science-based, transparent, objective, and ecologically relevant. Although many criticisms can be made of ecological risk assessment, it is the best tool available now. Improvements continue to sharpen the inputs for both exposure and effects. LCA is a tool for evaluating the potential impacts resulting from the use of resources and the potential environmental impacts associated with a product or process. Practitioners of LCA recognize its limitations (implementation and interpretation of results can be difficult), but it is a structured methodology already accepted as a tool for furthering sustainable development. Life-cycle considerations are included in the basic principles of a framework for eco-efficiency indicators [3] and are being used in some industries to evaluate process inefficiencies and in others to provide information for product design and specification. These tools will continue to be refined to provide better (more precise, more accurate, more relevant) answers for environmental management questions. Additional tools are needed to be able to evaluate and compare global environmental performance by measuring appropriate environmental indicators within and across industries. Better tools are needed for translating ecological knowledge to models that will give reliable predictions of the consequences and potential for recovery to environmental changes. Despite the sophistication that exists, better models for predicting the fate and transport of chemicals through and across media, across geopolitical boundaries, and on a long-term temporal scale are needed. Tools are also needed to help understand and manage some of the broadest and most complex environmental issues facing society today. These issues, including climate change, drought, famine, ozone layer depletion, uncontrolled population growth, transboundary pollution, natural resource exploitation, water quality and availability, and waste transport and disposal transcend the boundaries of any scientific discipline, professional organization, or governmental body. Although we are continuing to support and nurture the science that is the foundation of the Society, we are now poised to contribute more directly to the creation of environmental policy used in environmental management. Every opportunity for participation will require serious and cautious evaluation to ensure that we never compromise the integrity of our science or the reputation of the Society. The need for engagement is real and in some cases, the time frame for intervention is short. Although very few management or policy decisions are based on science alone, science should inflluence the decision, and to do that its representatives must be present at the table. This is equally true whether the debates are within industries or governments or between them. Many of these decisions will affect the long-term viability of the natural environment (managed or pristine) and should not be based solely on political expediency, economic priorities, or emotional responses to perceptions of risk. Many specific examples can be given of large-scale or complex environmental problems that will need considerable technical and political skill to resolve. Although many of these problems appear to fall outside of the traditional purview of SETAC, many are squarely in our court. There are others to which we can make considerable contributions, in conjunction with scientists of different expertise. While few simple solutions exist, the paths forward are discernible. The leadership of SETAC over the next several years will make decisions regarding the commitments of the Society toward many of these issues. I hope we continue moving toward policies of engagement and education, taking advantage of opportunities to advance environmental science and the informed management of our environment.

This article reads Max Halbe's late Naturalist play Mutter Erde (1897), a key work in his œuvre, in relation to German Naturalist drama and the political context in which it was written and set, namely the passage of the Burgerliches Gesetzbuch fur das Deutsche Reich through the Reichstag in 1896. Recovering the specific literary, political and legal context allows the ideological fault lines of the play to be laid bare and provides a corrective to the recent tendency to view Halbe's works in general, and Mutter Erde in particular, as straightforwardly pre-fascist. Detailed examination of the unpublished manuscript material relating to the play, including a revised ending from 1941, shows how Halbe changed his original plans, and the difficulties that he had with the characterization of the three central characters and the ending of the play. Ultimately Mutter Erde rejects both poles which are such a feature of Naturalist drama, being equally pessimistic about tradition and modernity, ‘Heimat’ and the city

Abstract: The political context and the comments about Jews found in Latin literature indicate that no discrimination against them is attested to in Rome in the period between the second century BCE and the second century CE. The expulsions from the city applied also to other foreign groups, and the occasional negative comments made by Roman politicians, historians, and poets are not intrinsically different from those regarding other foreign population groups. Although Jewish separatism and cases of alleged attraction to Judaism aroused some hostility, this hostility never led to open conflict of the kind that transpired in other centers of the Mediterranean. However, some disparaging comments about the Jews did not disappear with time, as with other peoples slandered by the Romans, and were later redeployed forming the basis upon which anti-Judaism and antisemitism developed.

Abstract: The political context and the comments about Jews found in Latin literature indicate that no discrimination against them is attested to in Rome in the period between the second century BCE and the second century CE. The expulsions from the city applied also to other foreign groups, and the occasional negative comments made by Roman politicians, historians, and poets are not intrinsically different from those regarding other foreign population groups. Although Jewish separatism and cases of alleged attraction to Judaism aroused some hostility, this hostility never led to open conflict of the kind that transpired in other centers of the Mediterranean. However, some disparaging comments about the Jews did not disappear with time, as with other peoples slandered by the Romans, and were later redeployed forming the basis upon which anti-Judaism and antisemitism developed.

The aim here is to highlight the reasons for expulsion of the Jewish/Egyptian communities and astrologers, in Latin literature. Our intention, quite frankly, is to show that the grounds for evictions from these communities are only misleading evidence that because of the targeted communities we are at first glance leaning toward religious grounds. We therefore propose a careful re-reading of the sources, and to focus on the events that lead to the issuing of the decrees of expulsions and to a lesser extent on the political context because, in our opinion, the only way to highlight the real reasons for expulsions

In recent years, social media are said to have an impact on the public discourse and communication in the society. In particular, social media are increasingly used in political context. More recently, microblogging services (e.g., Twitter) and social network sites (e.g., Facebook) are believed to have the potential for increasing political participation. While Twitter is an ideal platform for users to spread not only information in general but also political opinions publicly through their networks, political institutions (e.g., politicians, political parties, political foundations, etc.) have also begun to use Facebook pages or groups for the purpose of entering into direct dialogs with citizens and encouraging more political discussions. Previous studies have shown that from the perspective of political institutions, there is an emerging need to continuously collect, monitor, analyze, summarize, and visualize politically relevant information from social media. These activities, which are subsumed under “social media analytics,” are considered difficult tasks due to a large numbers of different social media platforms as well as the large amount and complexity of information and data. Systematic tracking and analysis approaches along with appropriate scientific methods and techniques in political domain are still lacking. In this paper, we propose a methodological framework for social media analytics in political context. More specifically, our framework summarizes most important politically relevant issues from the perspective of political institutions and corresponding methodologies from different scientific disciplines.

This chapter gives an overview of recent developments in the protection of judicial independence at EU level and its impact on national judiciaries. The emerging EU standard of judicial independence developed by the CJEU raises new challenges in the assessment of Member State compliance—a question that can lead to nuanced responses. Non-compliance must be evaluated in a manner going beyond a theoretical approach. A legal framework governing the functioning of the judiciary can be sufficient to guarantee judicial independence in a certain legal and political context, whereas other contexts can lead to politicisation. The approach of the CJEU of taking into account all factors, including the circumstances in which certain choices have been made, instead of limiting its assessment to abstract rules, creates an opportunity to protect judicial independence not only on paper, but also through action. In the light of these developments, the second part of this chapter focuses on an analysis of the judiciary’s functioning in Lithuania in order to assess its compliance with the emerging EU standard of judicial independence. As a transparent mechanism for judicial appointments is one of the essential requirements for their independence, the example of their appointment in Lithuania is used to illustrate the complexity and combination of various factors, ultimately leading to the conclusion of the necessity of some additional safeguards in this process.

The ubiquity of ICT and the increase in cyber threats have pushed countries to view cybersecurity from a national perspective and draft appropriate national strategies on the topic. While containing similar terminology, these strategies are tailored to the national contexts and hence, differ across regions, cultures, and political contexts. Previous research of these documents has been focused on comparative analysis of countries that can either be considered well developed on this topic or for specific subtopics of cybersecurity. However, some of the subtopics have not been addressed, only now having become more prevalent due to current international conflicts and national / regional socio-political scuffles that have spilled into cyberspace. In our paper, we investigate all countries that have published a National Cyber Security Strategy - NCSS - (or any similar document under a different nomenclature, e.g., policy, decree, etc.), specifically in reference to their position on war, neutrality, and international cooperation. Countries maintaining an NCSS will first be identified using international databases, upon which further study of the aforementioned topics in the NCSSs will occur. We hypothesize, that while international cooperation will be present in most, if not all NCSSs, armed conflicts and neutrality will not be addressed at all nor in depth, in those that contain any reference to them. The resulting paper will present a near-global case study of these topics, which can then signify potential areas of improvement, capacity building, and strengthening of democratic coalitions, globally.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of psychologists working with a community mental health center in the Gaza Strip, using Freirean pedagogical and Fanonian post-colonial theories as a framework. The study aims to highlight how political injustice contributes significantly to psychological distress in the region. It emphasizes the importance of collective well-being, liberatory practices and agency in therapeutic work. This research seeks to demonstrate that psychology and science cannot remain politically neutral, as they are inherently imbued with values that can either uphold oppressive systems or promote resistance and advocacy for change. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a theoretical and qualitative approach, drawing from Freirean pedagogical and Fanonian post-colonial frameworks. It involves reflective analysis of the authors’ experiences as psychologists from Italy and South Africa working with a community mental health center in Gaza. The research includes a critical examination of political and social contexts that affect mental health in the region. Through the roles of trainers, clinical supervisors and researchers, the authors integrate liberatory psychological practices and emphasize solidarity with the people of Gaza, providing insights into the interplay between political contexts and psychological well-being. Findings The findings indicate that political injustice is a primary cause of psychological distress in Gaza. The research underscores the dual role of mental health professionals: while they might inadvertently promote adjustment to oppressive systems, they also have the potential to enhance resistance, advocacy and activism. The study reveals that liberatory psychological practices can empower individuals and communities, fostering agency and collective well-being. Furthermore, the mental health needs of the population, alongside humanitarian aid and physical safety, are critical for the current crisis and future rebuilding efforts in Gaza. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited by its qualitative nature and the specific context of the Gaza Strip, which may not be generalizable to other settings. However, it provides valuable insights into the role of psychology in politically charged environments. The implications for further research include the need to explore liberatory practices in other conflict-affected areas and to examine the impact of psychologists’ roles as advocates for change. The study highlights the importance of integrating political awareness into psychological practice and research, encouraging professionals to engage actively in addressing systemic injustices. Practical implications The practical implications of this work emphasize the need for mental health professionals to incorporate political awareness and advocacy into their practice. By doing so, they can support communities in resisting oppressive systems and promote collective well-being. The research suggests training programs for psychologists that focus on liberatory practices and agency, equipping them to work effectively in conflict zones. Additionally, the study advocates for strengthening psychological services in Gaza, both during and after crises, to address the population’s mental health needs and support rebuilding efforts. Social implications The social implications of this paper highlight the critical role of psychology in addressing the political and social determinants of mental health. By aligning psychological practice with liberatory principles, mental health professionals can contribute to social justice and empower communities to resist oppression. The study advocates for a shift in the perception of psychology as a politically neutral discipline, urging professionals to engage actively in social change. It underscores the importance of solidarity with marginalized populations and the need for mental health support that is responsive to the broader socio-political context. Originality/value This essay offers original insights into the application of Freirean and Fanonian theories in the context of mental health work in Gaza. It provides a unique perspective on the role of psychologists as agents of change and solidarity in politically oppressive environments. The research contributes to the growing body of literature on the intersection of psychology and social justice, highlighting the potential of liberatory practices to empower communities. By challenging the notion of political neutrality in psychology, this study adds value to the discourse on the ethical responsibilities of mental health professionals.

Feminism has grown considerably as a transdisciplinary voice in support of change, as well as a discipline of science and philosophy, during the last 40 years. Advocacy and philosophy seem to have dominated the development of theory. Proposals are made to further feminist thinking. This book presents a feminist public relations theory, as well as an explanation and agenda for changing bias towards female public relations practitioners. This research emphasizes the importance of the social, historical, and political context from the viewpoint of women's empowerment theory as a cyclical rather than a linear process in components of women's empowerment. It proposes that empowerment-driven feminist social work practice be guided by an awareness of positionalities, conscientization, and social changes, integrating key concepts in feminist thought and empowerment theory. In this study, the key characteristics of women's equality in general and in the workplace are addressed. Feminist and empowerment philosophy has a lot in common with the development and identification of professional identity and social work in general. Individual and collective identity formation are both emphasized in social and gender inequality and prejudice. Empowerment is a big part of feminist social work's theory and practice, particularly when it comes to dominance and subordination.