Dr. Feliece I. Yeban is a human rights educator, scholar, and advocate whose work spans more than three decades across community organizations, universities, and state institutions in the Philippines. Grounded in the writings of Paolo Freire and Antonio Gramsci, her scholarship centers on decolonial pedagogy, community-based human rights work, and the uplift of Indigenous Filipino knowledge systems. Feliece has taught widely in both the private and public sectors, including work with law enforcement institutions, and has contributed extensively to the development of human rights cultures across Asia.
Episode 68
In this episode of Human Rights Education Now!, hosts Bill Fernekes speak with Feliece Yeban and Ava Kreutziger about the origins of her human rights education work. She reflects on teaching during the 1980s and 1990s, the aftermath of the Marcos dictatorship, and the transformative role of the People Power Revolution. Feliece discusses the influence of Freire and Gramsci, the challenges facing HRE in both private and public institutions, and the ongoing impact of U.S. support for authoritarian practices in the Philippines.
She highlights the importance of understanding both international human rights frameworks and community-rooted approaches, emphasizing that effective HRE requires careful attention to context and audience. Feliece also speaks about confronting discomfort, navigating trauma, and engaging directly with those impacted by rights violations.
Topics discussed:
- Historical context of HRE during and after the Marcos era
- Freire, Gramsci, and critical pedagogy in the Philippines
- U.S. influence on authoritarian policies
- Barriers to HRE across public and private institutions
- Community-based approaches vs. formal frameworks
- Educational inequities and elite influence
- Delivering HRE to police and state actors
- “Civilianizing” law enforcement through rights-based training
Full topic listing available for PDF download HERE.
Listen on our Buzzsprout podcast website HERE.
Episode 69
In part two of the conversation, Ava Kreutziger and Bill Fernekes continue their dialogue with Feliece, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches, Indigenous rights, and the ongoing challenge of colonial legacies. Feliece discusses her research with Indigenous Filipino communities and the need to challenge collective amnesia surrounding Indigenous knowledge and histories. She explores how systems produce both victims and violators, reframing human rights as a universal grounding for dignity and humanity.
Feliece also analyzes the current landscape of HRE in Asia, including the effects of polarization and authoritarianism under leaders like Rodrigo Duterte. She speaks about the role of digital misinformation, media accountability, and the need for institutions to embed human rights across all aspects of their work.
Topics discussed:
- Indigenous cultures, colonialism, and historical memory
- Seeing oppressors as shaped by harmful systems
- Progress and setbacks for HRE in Asia
- Human rights, social media, and digital misinformation
- Responsibilities of major tech companies
- Freire, Gramsci, and Filipino mass movements as role models
- “Human rights is rice”- daily struggles for dignity and survival
- Embedding human rights in institutions and creating accountability metrics
- Balancing standardized curricula with student-centered learning
Full topic listing available for PDF download HERE.
Listen on our Buzzsprout podcast website HERE.
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