MindFork

Don’t play with your food, mess with your mind.

Part of our why at the Social Impact Studio is not only doing the physical mahi, but also challenging and growing our conception of what social impact means. As part of this journey of creating a more inclusive and diverse space to celebrate different types of social impact, we are starting an ongoing series called MindFork.  

MindFork is a space to gather for an intentional and meaningful kōrero that confronts the default mindset and challenges the status quo. They will be panel-style events, so nothing is expected of the attendees other than an open-mind and empathy. The panellists will be doing the talking!

Are your critical and curious senses tingling? JOIN THE MINDFORKING.

PREVIOUS MINDFORKS

Wednesday 5 May: Is 'volunteering' privileged and racist?

We held nothing back in our first MindFork event of the series, delving into the question Is ‘volunteering’ privilged and racist? We challenged the very foundations of our space. We challenged ourselves and others to think more deeply and critically about our inclination to ‘help’, and to re-imagine our space and mahi so that it works towards real personal and social change instead of perpetuating old and harmful structures. As well as empowering different cultural conceptions of community connection that often gets disregarded by mainstream volunteering.

We were honoured to host a panel of epic humans, who brought with them stories, experiences, and perspectives from a range of cultural backgrounds and identities. Students from Te Roopū Māori, the Pacific Island Health Professional Students Association, the Peace and Conflict Centre, and the Student Volunteer Army. They chatted to us in a way that felt like we were having a yarn with our clued up mates, but allows you to do the mental mahi in a safe and empowered space.

Areas of discussion included:
• Māori and Pacifika cultural understandings of ‘social impact’
• White saviour complex - being an ally versus saviour
• In what ways is volunteering systemically racist?
• Tools to decolonise your understandings of volunteering/the western concept of volunteering

Check out some students takeaways from the mind forking BELOW!