Podcast: Caoimhe Butterly on why “rest is revolutionary”

17th January 2025
By The Editors

Tagged as: 100 objects, Greece, humanitarian action, Mediterranean, Refugees, Sean Binder

The Power of Hope and Reflection in Human Rights Work

In this episode, Ciara Regan speaks with social justice and human rights activist Caoimhe Butterly about the transformative role of hope, reflection, and rest in sustaining long-term activism and humanitarian efforts.

Life on the Frontlines: Caoimhe’s Work on Lesvos, Greece

At the time of recording, Caoimhe was based on Lesvos, Greece, a key transit point for migrants and asylum seekers. She shares first-hand insight into the daily challenges faced by refugees, from life in overcrowded camps to the emotional toll of prolonged displacement.

Resilience Within Refugee Communities

Drawing on her work running psychosocial workshops and supporting grassroots humanitarian responses, Caoimhe highlights untold stories of resilience and solidarity. She calls for a shift in how we portray refugees—not as passive victims, but as individuals with agency, strength, and dignity.

Challenging Harmful Narratives About Migration

Too often, migrants are framed in disempowering ways. Caoimhe critiques this dominant narrative and calls for ethical storytelling that honours the humanity, dignity, and mutual care found within refugee communities.

Slow and Steady: Why Rest Matters in Activism

Throughout the episode, Ciara and Caoimhe return to the importance of pausing to reflect and recognising meaningful progress. Despite the challenges posed by conflict, climate change, and political violence, it remains essential to acknowledge the profound, ongoing work happening at both local and systemic levels to build communities rooted in care, equality, and human rights. In this, Caoimhe offers a powerful reminder: activism doesn’t need to be fast-paced to be effective.:

“It’s OK in this work to be low and slow… rest is revolutionary.”

Check out more episodes in the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects series.

Credits

Check out more episodes in the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects series or subscribe.
Adapt, use, remix the 10 kick-starter activities based on the exhibition

The Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects podcast is hosted by Ciara Regan.

This episode was produced by Dylan Creane and Tony Daly. Music by Jump Lead.

Brought to you by developmenteducation.ie and supported by Irish Aid

Show notes:

This episode was recorded on the margins of the rescue workers trial in Greece.
News report: Irish man Seán Binder faces 25 years in prison in Greece for helping rescue migrants from the Mediterranean, The Irish Independent (Nov 2021)
Greece drops espionage charges against Seán Binder, RTÉ News (Jan 13, 2023)

A number of objects from the Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects exhibition relate to the topics discussed in this episode:

Teacher resources on developmenteducation.ie