Embedded Files
What This Is
These reflections document how students experienced the Democracy Defenders in Exile and Global Struggles for Democracy courses. Written after sustained engagement with democracy defenders, the reflections show how direct dialogue, student-led interviews, and applied analytical assignments reshaped students’ understanding of repression, democracy, and civic responsibility. Together, they illustrate the pedagogical goal of the series: transforming abstract political concepts into lived, engaged inquiry.
Featured Reflections
"Of all the thought-provoking classes I have taken at Notre Dame, this has been the most impactful—something I do not say lightly, especially having had other extraordinary experiences, including meeting the Pope through a class. As a research assistant with the Kellogg Institute, I analyze U.S. newspaper coverage of China’s repression of Uyghurs. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to interview Jewher Ilham—an activist I had encountered repeatedly in those articles.
"The Democracy Defenders in Exile series offered an unparalleled opportunity to engage with real-world advocates and reflect on the global impact of human rights work. It was a privilege to participate in a course where our work was meaningful beyond the classroom. I interviewed Jewher Ilham, a Uyghur activist, author, and filmmaker in exile, both in class and after a public screening of her film “All Static and Noise” at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Speaking with her revealed how advocacy and storytelling intersect in human rights work and deepened my respect for the courage required to confront systemic oppression. Interviewing Jewher made tangible the human stakes of global human rights issues. From her separation from her father, Ilham Tohti, imprisoned for life in China, to her relentless advocacy through writing, testimony, and film, she embodies the power of storytelling to give human faces to abstract horrors and cold statistics. Working with my teammates, we divided our focus among emotional impact, policy, and generational perspectives to ensure our questions captured the depth of Jewher’s work. Conducting interviews before a live audience pushed me out of my comfort zone, teaching me to speak from knowledge and curiosity rather than notes. Unlike typical classes, we weren’t focused on grades—the coursework felt bigger than ourselves, with real-world implications."— Jane (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"I have never before taken a course like Prof. Hui's Democracy Defenders in Exile. Oftentimes, students and professors place grades before the learning process. In this class, however, I've pushed myself to continuously improve because grades are secondary to accurately honoring the lived experiences of the human rights defenders we've had the opportunity to engage with. The relationships between the activists, journalists, and government leaders we get to work with in this course testify to the power of collaboration in addressing human rights issues from all angles. While one class won't teach us to solve human rights abuses- in fact, they may never be fully prevented- we've been given the resources needed to do our part in the collective effort to protect human dignity."— Sam (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"'When you have lost your country, you must build it in memory and behavior.' That thought has followed me through every story we heard this semester. Each defender we met showed how exile can become a moral discipline. Listening to them, I realized that democracy in exile is not nostalgia but a daily practice—about how one chooses to live, speak, and remember. They turned loss into labor and exile into ethics. Their journeys challenged me to see freedom not as possession but as responsibility: to keep the memory of truth alive, even when home feels distant."— Robert (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
Through the Democracy Defenders in Exile series, I sat beside Jewher as she shared insights drawn from years of raising international awareness of abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Engaging directly with her and other organizers provided a grounded understanding of advocacy work that is rarely accessible in academic settings. It was an unforgettable experience.
The Q&A experience this semester has been one of the most impactful parts of the class. It is easy to get caught up in assignments—memos, action statements, and orals—but the real value lies in what the course makes possible. I get to develop a highly specific and valuable style of analytical writing through memos and ASQs. I get to have in-person conversations with public figures who are directly confronting transnational authoritarian repression. I get to engage with ideas not just as theory, but as lived experience.
What I gained from this class goes far beyond any grade. When you lean into these opportunities, the learning—and the growth—follow. I look forward to drawing on this perspective as I develop my senior thesis, and I am deeply grateful to have had this opportunity.”
— Grace (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"The Democracy Defenders in Exile series offered an unparalleled opportunity to engage with real-world advocates and reflect on the global impact of human rights work. It was a privilege to participate in a course where our work was meaningful beyond the classroom. I interviewed Jewher Ilham, a Uyghur activist, author, and filmmaker in exile, both in class and after a public screening of her film “All Static and Noise” at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Speaking with her revealed how advocacy and storytelling intersect in human rights work and deepened my respect for the courage required to confront systemic oppression. Interviewing Jewher made tangible the human stakes of global human rights issues. From her separation from her father, Ilham Tohti, imprisoned for life in China, to her relentless advocacy through writing, testimony, and film, she embodies the power of storytelling to give human faces to abstract horrors and cold statistics. Working with my teammates, we divided our focus among emotional impact, policy, and generational perspectives to ensure our questions captured the depth of Jewher’s work. Conducting interviews before a live audience pushed me out of my comfort zone, teaching me to speak from knowledge and curiosity rather than notes. Unlike typical classes, we weren’t focused on grades—the coursework felt bigger than ourselves, with real-world implications."— Jane (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"I have never before taken a course like Prof. Hui's Democracy Defenders in Exile. Oftentimes, students and professors place grades before the learning process. In this class, however, I've pushed myself to continuously improve because grades are secondary to accurately honoring the lived experiences of the human rights defenders we've had the opportunity to engage with. The relationships between the activists, journalists, and government leaders we get to work with in this course testify to the power of collaboration in addressing human rights issues from all angles. While one class won't teach us to solve human rights abuses- in fact, they may never be fully prevented- we've been given the resources needed to do our part in the collective effort to protect human dignity."— Sam (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"'When you have lost your country, you must build it in memory and behavior.' That thought has followed me through every story we heard this semester. Each defender we met showed how exile can become a moral discipline. Listening to them, I realized that democracy in exile is not nostalgia but a daily practice—about how one chooses to live, speak, and remember. They turned loss into labor and exile into ethics. Their journeys challenged me to see freedom not as possession but as responsibility: to keep the memory of truth alive, even when home feels distant."— Robert (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
“Listening to Yaqiu, Jewher, and Lobsang reshaped how I understand courage, but it also forced me to confront something much closer to home. Their insistence on survival—on protecting the self in order to sustain the work—resonated with me not only as an aspiring advocate, but as someone whose own life has been shaped by instability and separation. Mental health, for me, is not an abstract concept discussed in panels or self-care checklists; it is something I have had to actively protect simply to keep moving forward.
Because of that lived experience, I recognize myself immediately in what Jewher said so plainly: ‘Movements survive when people do.’ I know what it feels like to push forward without pausing, to accept emotional exhaustion as the cost of survival, to convince yourself that slowing down is a luxury you cannot afford. But I have also learned that ignoring mental health does not make you stronger; it makes you brittle.
If I want to build a life rooted in advocacy, I have to build one rooted in mental health as well. Protecting my mind is not separate from the work—it is part of the work.”
— Wedeb (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)Reflections by Theme
From Theory to Reality
From Theory to Reality
"The course Global Struggles for Democracy challenged me to think in an entirely new way. We studied how democracy is defended across the world, but what made the material real was the opportunity to sit face to face with democracy defenders and discuss how ideas translate into action. If someone had told me before enrolling that I would be speaking with the former Defense Minister of Georgia about democratic reform, I would not have believed it.
"One of the aspects I valued most about this class was the opportunity to hear directly from people engaged in the work of defending democracy, often at significant personal cost. I had the privilege of meeting and interviewing Samuel Chu, and that experience made the material we studied far more concrete. While it is valuable to read about non-democratic regimes, hearing from individuals who have faced repression firsthand gave the coursework a depth that no article alone can provide.
These experiences broadened my perspective—both in appreciating the stability of democracy in the United States and in understanding how to interpret political developments elsewhere. Engaging directly with democracy defenders was not only inspiring, but also something I could not have gained in a typical classroom setting.”
— David (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"One of the aspects I valued most about this class was the opportunity to hear directly from people engaged in the work of defending democracy, often at significant personal cost. I had the privilege of meeting and interviewing Samuel Chu, and that experience made the material we studied far more concrete. While it is valuable to read about non-democratic regimes, hearing from individuals who have faced repression firsthand gave the coursework a depth that no article alone can provide.
What struck me most was that the cases we studied are not static—they are unfolding in real time. The people we met are actively making strategic decisions about how to organize, whom to engage, and what to document. This real-time dimension changed how I understood the material, shifting it from retrospective analysis to ongoing political practice.
I also appreciated how the course illuminated what ordinary citizens in democratic societies can do—both to support those working toward democracy abroad and to guard against democratic backsliding at home. While it is easy to feel distant from life under authoritarian rule, the combination of discussions, readings, and direct engagement with democracy defenders clarified how different mechanisms operate across regimes and contexts.
The insights I gained from this course are something I will carry forward, and I would strongly recommend it to other students."
— Peter (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"Whenever we tune into the news, the focus is often on what is going wrong in the world. By emphasizing the lived experiences of people who dedicate their lives to confronting injustice, this course forced me to reframe the issues we studied. Repression is no longer something happening thousands of miles away, encountered only through media coverage; it is brought into the classroom through our guest speakers, and we are asked to treat it as a problem that demands engagement.
The curriculum is built around action statements—analytical pieces in which we diagnose the mechanisms of autocratic control and propose strategic responses. By combining direct engagement with democracy defenders and a focus on applied analysis, the course bridges the gap between academic study and practical action."
— Nathan (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"Participating in the Q&A with Tinatin Khidasheli was a valuable opportunity to connect course concepts to real-world democratic challenges. Hearing her firsthand perspective on Georgia’s political climate deepened my understanding of how civil society can resist authoritarian tendencies.
I was especially struck by her emphasis on societal resilience and the role of informed citizens in sustaining democracy and moving beyond protest toward long-term political engagement. The discussion also prompted me to think more critically about the relationship between information availability and public participation.
Overall, the experience made the ideas we study feel more concrete and relevant."
— Bo (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)Democracy as Responsibility
Democracy as Responsibility
"I have never had to put myself in others’ shoes the way I did in Professor Hui’s seminar. It is easy to make assumptions about people you have never met or places you have never been, but this course pushed me to think more critically. What initially seemed like simple solutions to complex conflicts revealed multiple layers and consequences. As Professor Hui taught us, every X (action) produces a Y (intended outcome) and a counter-Y (unexpected or unintended consequence).
This course expanded my worldview beyond numbers, directing my attention to people and the struggles they face. Each day, we were asked, ‘What would you do?’ That question forced me to think not only analytically but also responsibly. It has made me reconsider how I might contribute to the world—and deepened my appreciation for living in a democracy."
— Curtis (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"Every day in the United States, I feel that our democracy is under strain. Sitting with a democracy defender in exile showed me how I can use the freedoms and liberties I have to help ensure that our democracy endures for another 250 years.
At Notre Dame, we ask ourselves, “What would you fight for?” As Mrs. Bautista de Alemán said, “When you have something to fight for, you are alive. If you are going to fight for freedom, then fight like a champion—in your character, in your profession, in your courage.”
This idea has stayed with me. Each morning, I wake up committed to doing my part to make this country better."
— Jorden (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)“Listening to Yaqiu, Jewher, and Lobsang reshaped how I understand courage, but it also forced me to confront something much closer to home. Their insistence on survival—on protecting the self in order to sustain the work—resonated with me not only as an aspiring advocate, but as someone whose own life has been shaped by instability and separation. Mental health, for me, is not an abstract concept discussed in panels or self-care checklists; it is something I have had to actively protect simply to keep moving forward.
Because of that lived experience, I recognize myself immediately in what Jewher said so plainly: ‘Movements survive when people do.’ I know what it feels like to push forward without pausing, to accept emotional exhaustion as the cost of survival, to convince yourself that slowing down is a luxury you cannot afford. But I have also learned that ignoring mental health does not make you stronger; it makes you brittle.
If I want to build a life rooted in advocacy, I have to build one rooted in mental health as well. Protecting my mind is not separate from the work—it is part of the work.”
— Wedeb (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)Learning Under Real Constraints
Learning Under Real Constraints
"A course like Global Struggles for Democracy is essential because it allows students to test their ideas while learning directly from democracy defenders and grappling with real constraints. I have seen firsthand how strong students develop more compelling proposals once they gain a concrete understanding of the conditions and tactics that emerge from engaging with frontline reformers.
Too often, we in the West treat global autocracy as a monolith. Professor Hui and the guest speakers challenge this assumption by helping students understand the distinct dynamics of each case and prompting careful thinking about vulnerabilities and which strategies can realistically confront authoritarian regimes.
The cultural context and lived experiences shared by democracy defenders make the course far more valuable than a purely abstract, hands-off approach."
— Douglas (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"Whenever we tune into the news, the focus is often on what is going wrong in the world. By emphasizing the lived experiences of people who dedicate their lives to confronting injustice, this course forced me to reframe the issues we studied. Repression is no longer something happening thousands of miles away, encountered only through media coverage; it is brought into the classroom through our guest speakers, and we are asked to treat it as a problem that demands engagement.
The curriculum is built around action statements—analytical pieces in which we diagnose the mechanisms of autocratic control and propose strategic responses. By combining direct engagement with democracy defenders and a focus on applied analysis, the course bridges the gap between academic study and practical action."
— Nathan (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"Our class, Global Struggles for Democracy, gave me a unique opportunity to learn about democracy defenders in a way I have never experienced in another classroom. Through in-depth research on each speaker and direct engagement with them, I was able to connect academic concepts to real-world struggles in a meaningful way.
Hearing firsthand from individuals actively working to protect democracy and human rights was incredibly impactful. It sparked an interest I did not know I had, particularly in understanding the mechanisms that support advocacy efforts both abroad and in the United States.
The course goes beyond traditional learning by encouraging us to think critically about global issues and to reflect on our own role in supporting democratic values. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a truly engaging and transformative academic experience."
— Cindy (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)Encountering Democracy Defenders
Encountering Democracy Defenders
"The Democracy Defenders in Exile series gave me a unique opportunity to come face to face with individuals I had previously only read about. It was an incredible experience to meet and interview Jewher Ilham, a courageous Uyghur rights activist whose resilience in the face of overwhelming hardship deeply inspired me.
Through this series, I strengthened my public speaking skills, developed a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by democracy defenders around the world, and connected with an exceptional community of people. This class reinforced the idea that democratic erosion anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere, and it expanded both my knowledge of and interest in global issues.
I am extremely grateful for this experience and will carry these lessons with me moving forward."
— Ashley (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"Of all the thought-provoking classes I have taken at Notre Dame, this has been the most impactful—something I do not say lightly, especially having had other extraordinary experiences, including meeting the Pope through a class. As a research assistant with the Kellogg Institute, I analyze U.S. newspaper coverage of China’s repression of Uyghurs. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to interview Jewher Ilham—an activist I had encountered repeatedly in those articles.
Through the Democracy Defenders in Exile series, I sat beside Jewher as she shared insights drawn from years of raising international awareness of abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Engaging directly with her and other organizers provided a grounded understanding of advocacy work that is rarely accessible in academic settings. It was an unforgettable experience.
The Q&A experience this semester has been one of the most impactful parts of the class. It is easy to get caught up in assignments—memos, action statements, and orals—but the real value lies in what the course makes possible. I get to develop a highly specific and valuable style of analytical writing through memos and ASQs. I get to have in-person conversations with public figures who are directly confronting transnational authoritarian repression. I get to engage with ideas not just as theory, but as lived experience.
What I gained from this class goes far beyond any grade. When you lean into these opportunities, the learning—and the growth—follow. I look forward to drawing on this perspective as I develop my senior thesis, and I am deeply grateful to have had this opportunity.”
— Grace (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)Transformation and Perspective
Transformation and Perspective
"'When you have lost your country, you must build it in memory and behavior.' That thought has followed me through every story we heard this semester. Each defender we met showed how exile can become a moral discipline. Listening to them, I realized that democracy in exile is not nostalgia but a daily practice—about how one chooses to live, speak, and remember. They turned loss into labor and exile into ethics. Their journeys challenged me to see freedom not as possession but as responsibility: to keep the memory of truth alive, even when home feels distant."— Robert (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"The Democracy Defenders in Exile series offered an unparalleled opportunity to engage with real-world advocates and reflect on the global impact of human rights work. It was a privilege to participate in a course where our work was meaningful beyond the classroom. I interviewed Jewher Ilham, a Uyghur activist, author, and filmmaker in exile, both in class and after a public screening of her film “All Static and Noise” at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Speaking with her revealed how advocacy and storytelling intersect in human rights work and deepened my respect for the courage required to confront systemic oppression. Interviewing Jewher made tangible the human stakes of global human rights issues. From her separation from her father, Ilham Tohti, imprisoned for life in China, to her relentless advocacy through writing, testimony, and film, she embodies the power of storytelling to give human faces to abstract horrors and cold statistics. Working with my teammates, we divided our focus among emotional impact, policy, and generational perspectives to ensure our questions captured the depth of Jewher’s work. Conducting interviews before a live audience pushed me out of my comfort zone, teaching me to speak from knowledge and curiosity rather than notes. Unlike typical classes, we weren’t focused on grades—the coursework felt bigger than ourselves, with real-world implications."— Jane (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"Of all the thought-provoking classes I have taken at Notre Dame, this has been the most impactful—something I do not say lightly, especially having had other extraordinary experiences, including meeting the Pope through a class. As a research assistant with the Kellogg Institute, I analyze U.S. newspaper coverage of China’s repression of Uyghurs. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to interview Jewher Ilham—an activist I had encountered repeatedly in those articles.
"The Democracy Defenders in Exile series offered an unparalleled opportunity to engage with real-world advocates and reflect on the global impact of human rights work. It was a privilege to participate in a course where our work was meaningful beyond the classroom. I interviewed Jewher Ilham, a Uyghur activist, author, and filmmaker in exile, both in class and after a public screening of her film “All Static and Noise” at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Speaking with her revealed how advocacy and storytelling intersect in human rights work and deepened my respect for the courage required to confront systemic oppression. Interviewing Jewher made tangible the human stakes of global human rights issues. From her separation from her father, Ilham Tohti, imprisoned for life in China, to her relentless advocacy through writing, testimony, and film, she embodies the power of storytelling to give human faces to abstract horrors and cold statistics. Working with my teammates, we divided our focus among emotional impact, policy, and generational perspectives to ensure our questions captured the depth of Jewher’s work. Conducting interviews before a live audience pushed me out of my comfort zone, teaching me to speak from knowledge and curiosity rather than notes. Unlike typical classes, we weren’t focused on grades—the coursework felt bigger than ourselves, with real-world implications."— Jane (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"Of all the thought-provoking classes I have taken at Notre Dame, this has been the most impactful—something I do not say lightly, especially having had other extraordinary experiences, including meeting the Pope through a class. As a research assistant with the Kellogg Institute, I analyze U.S. newspaper coverage of China’s repression of Uyghurs. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to interview Jewher Ilham—an activist I had encountered repeatedly in those articles.
Through the Democracy Defenders in Exile series, I sat beside Jewher as she shared insights drawn from years of raising international awareness of abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Engaging directly with her and other organizers provided a grounded understanding of advocacy work that is rarely accessible in academic settings. It was an unforgettable experience.
The Q&A experience this semester has been one of the most impactful parts of the class. It is easy to get caught up in assignments—memos, action statements, and orals—but the real value lies in what the course makes possible. I get to develop a highly specific and valuable style of analytical writing through memos and ASQs. I get to have in-person conversations with public figures who are directly confronting transnational authoritarian repression. I get to engage with ideas not just as theory, but as lived experience.
What I gained from this class goes far beyond any grade. When you lean into these opportunities, the learning—and the growth—follow. I look forward to drawing on this perspective as I develop my senior thesis, and I am deeply grateful to have had this opportunity.”
— Grace (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)“Listening to Yaqiu, Jewher, and Lobsang reshaped how I understand courage, but it also forced me to confront something much closer to home. Their insistence on survival—on protecting the self in order to sustain the work—resonated with me not only as an aspiring advocate, but as someone whose own life has been shaped by instability and separation. Mental health, for me, is not an abstract concept discussed in panels or self-care checklists; it is something I have had to actively protect simply to keep moving forward.
Because of that lived experience, I recognize myself immediately in what Jewher said so plainly: ‘Movements survive when people do.’ I know what it feels like to push forward without pausing, to accept emotional exhaustion as the cost of survival, to convince yourself that slowing down is a luxury you cannot afford. But I have also learned that ignoring mental health does not make you stronger; it makes you brittle.
If I want to build a life rooted in advocacy, I have to build one rooted in mental health as well. Protecting my mind is not separate from the work—it is part of the work.”
— Wedeb (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)Reflections by Semester
Spring 2026 Archive
Spring 2026 Archive
"I want to take a moment to thank everyone involved in this class, because it has genuinely been one of the most eye-opening academic experiences I have had. Studying democracy in this setting goes far beyond learning definitions or historical cases. It provides a real understanding of the challenges countries are currently facing—democratic backsliding, authoritarian pressure, and the struggle to build stable institutions.
Being able to connect theory to real-world examples made the material feel relevant and urgent, rather than distant or abstract. This class has changed the way I understand global politics and has made me more aware of how fragile and complex democracy is.
For that reason, I strongly believe this is the kind of seminar that should continue to be supported and funded. It provides students with a meaningful education that prepares them to think critically about global issues and engage with the world in a more informed way. Classes like this do not just teach content—they shape perspective, and that is incredibly valuable."
— Sir (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"The Democracy Defenders in Exile series gave me a unique opportunity to come face to face with individuals I had previously only read about. It was an incredible experience to meet and interview Jewher Ilham, a courageous Uyghur rights activist whose resilience in the face of overwhelming hardship deeply inspired me.
Through this series, I strengthened my public speaking skills, developed a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by democracy defenders around the world, and connected with an exceptional community of people. This class reinforced the idea that democratic erosion anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere, and it expanded both my knowledge of and interest in global issues.
I am extremely grateful for this experience and will carry these lessons with me moving forward."
— Ashley (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"Participating in the Q&A with Tinatin Khidasheli was a valuable opportunity to connect course concepts to real-world democratic challenges. Hearing her firsthand perspective on Georgia’s political climate deepened my understanding of how civil society can resist authoritarian tendencies.
I was especially struck by her emphasis on societal resilience and the role of informed citizens in sustaining democracy and moving beyond protest toward long-term political engagement. The discussion also prompted me to think more critically about the relationship between information availability and public participation.
Overall, the experience made the ideas we study feel more concrete and relevant."
— Bo (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"Our class, Global Struggles for Democracy, gave me a unique opportunity to learn about democracy defenders in a way I have never experienced in another classroom. Through in-depth research on each speaker and direct engagement with them, I was able to connect academic concepts to real-world struggles in a meaningful way.
Hearing firsthand from individuals actively working to protect democracy and human rights was incredibly impactful. It sparked an interest I did not know I had, particularly in understanding the mechanisms that support advocacy efforts both abroad and in the United States.
The course goes beyond traditional learning by encouraging us to think critically about global issues and to reflect on our own role in supporting democratic values. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a truly engaging and transformative academic experience."
— Cindy (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"I have never had to put myself in others’ shoes the way I did in Professor Hui’s seminar. It is easy to make assumptions about people you have never met or places you have never been, but this course pushed me to think more critically. What initially seemed like simple solutions to complex conflicts revealed multiple layers and consequences. As Professor Hui taught us, every X (action) produces a Y (intended outcome) and a counter-Y (unexpected or unintended consequence).
This course expanded my worldview beyond numbers, directing my attention to people and the struggles they face. Each day, we were asked, ‘What would you do?’ That question forced me to think not only analytically but also responsibly. It has made me reconsider how I might contribute to the world—and deepened my appreciation for living in a democracy."
— Curtis (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"A course like Global Struggles for Democracy is essential because it allows students to test their ideas while learning directly from democracy defenders and grappling with real constraints. I have seen firsthand how strong students develop more compelling proposals once they gain a concrete understanding of the conditions and tactics that emerge from engaging with frontline reformers.
Too often, we in the West treat global autocracy as a monolith. Professor Hui and the guest speakers challenge this assumption by helping students understand the distinct dynamics of each case and prompting careful thinking about vulnerabilities and which strategies can realistically confront authoritarian regimes.
The cultural context and lived experiences shared by democracy defenders make the course far more valuable than a purely abstract, hands-off approach."
— Douglas (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"The course Global Struggles for Democracy challenged me to think in an entirely new way. We studied how democracy is defended across the world, but what made the material real was the opportunity to sit face to face with democracy defenders and discuss how ideas translate into action. If someone had told me before enrolling that I would be speaking with the former Defense Minister of Georgia about democratic reform, I would not have believed it.
These experiences broadened my perspective—both in appreciating the stability of democracy in the United States and in understanding how to interpret political developments elsewhere. Engaging directly with democracy defenders was not only inspiring, but also something I could not have gained in a typical classroom setting.”
— David (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"Of all the thought-provoking classes I have taken at Notre Dame, this has been the most impactful—something I do not say lightly, especially having had other extraordinary experiences, including meeting the Pope through a class. As a research assistant with the Kellogg Institute, I analyze U.S. newspaper coverage of China’s repression of Uyghurs. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to interview Jewher Ilham—an activist I had encountered repeatedly in those articles.
Through the Democracy Defenders in Exile series, I sat beside Jewher as she shared insights drawn from years of raising international awareness of abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Engaging directly with her and other organizers provided a grounded understanding of advocacy work that is rarely accessible in academic settings. It was an unforgettable experience.
The Q&A experience this semester has been one of the most impactful parts of the class. It is easy to get caught up in assignments—memos, action statements, and orals—but the real value lies in what the course makes possible. I get to develop a highly specific and valuable style of analytical writing through memos and ASQs. I get to have in-person conversations with public figures who are directly confronting transnational authoritarian repression. I get to engage with ideas not just as theory, but as lived experience.
What I gained from this class goes far beyond any grade. When you lean into these opportunities, the learning—and the growth—follow. I look forward to drawing on this perspective as I develop my senior thesis, and I am deeply grateful to have had this opportunity.”
— Grace (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"Every day in the United States, I feel that our democracy is under strain. Sitting with a democracy defender in exile showed me how I can use the freedoms and liberties I have to help ensure that our democracy endures for another 250 years.
At Notre Dame, we ask ourselves, “What would you fight for?” As Mrs. Bautista de Alemán said, “When you have something to fight for, you are alive. If you are going to fight for freedom, then fight like a champion—in your character, in your profession, in your courage.”
This idea has stayed with me. Each morning, I wake up committed to doing my part to make this country better."
— Jorden (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"Whenever we tune into the news, the focus is often on what is going wrong in the world. By emphasizing the lived experiences of people who dedicate their lives to confronting injustice, this course forced me to reframe the issues we studied. Repression is no longer something happening thousands of miles away, encountered only through media coverage; it is brought into the classroom through our guest speakers, and we are asked to treat it as a problem that demands engagement.
The curriculum is built around action statements—analytical pieces in which we diagnose the mechanisms of autocratic control and propose strategic responses. By combining direct engagement with democracy defenders and a focus on applied analysis, the course bridges the gap between academic study and practical action."
— Nathan (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)"One of the aspects I valued most about this class was the opportunity to hear directly from people engaged in the work of defending democracy, often at significant personal cost. I had the privilege of meeting and interviewing Samuel Chu, and that experience made the material we studied far more concrete. While it is valuable to read about non-democratic regimes, hearing from individuals who have faced repression firsthand gave the coursework a depth that no article alone can provide.
What struck me most was that the cases we studied are not static—they are unfolding in real time. The people we met are actively making strategic decisions about how to organize, whom to engage, and what to document. This real-time dimension changed how I understood the material, shifting it from retrospective analysis to ongoing political practice.
I also appreciated how the course illuminated what ordinary citizens in democratic societies can do—both to support those working toward democracy abroad and to guard against democratic backsliding at home. While it is easy to feel distant from life under authoritarian rule, the combination of discussions, readings, and direct engagement with democracy defenders clarified how different mechanisms operate across regimes and contexts.
The insights I gained from this course are something I will carry forward, and I would strongly recommend it to other students."
— Peter (Global Struggles for Democracy, Spring 2026)Fall 2025 Archive
Fall 2025 Archive
"This class has been deeply inspiring. Listening to democracy defenders speak about their resilience in the face of severe oppression has been both humbling and motivating. Each speaker, in their own way, urged us to use our voices—to recognize the privilege of having basic rights such as freedom of speech and expression, which so many others are denied. Inaction—even when it takes the form of ignorance or indifference toward global issues—is still a form of action."— Erin (Global Struggles for Freedom, Fall 2025)
"As a student living in the United States, I often read about human rights violations and suffering around the world. However, there is a meaningful difference between learning about these injustices through articles and statistics and hearing directly from people who have experienced them firsthand. Taking Global Struggles for Freedom with Professor Hui pushed me to confront that difference and recognize how much I have taken for granted in my own life. The course humanized global struggles, bringing them front and center and making them feel immediate rather than distant. This class also challenged me to think more seriously about my own role in responding to these injustices. Rather than presenting global crises as overwhelming or untouchable, the course emphasized how small, intentional actions can contribute to meaningful change. As an economics student, I am often trained to focus on theories and models that explain behavior. Global Struggles for Freedom taught me that while these frameworks matter, they are incomplete without centering human rights. The course reinforced for me that human dignity should be a starting point—not an afterthought—in understanding the world."— Julia (Global Struggles for Freedom, Fall 2025)
"'If not me, who?'—this question, posed by Samuel Chu, has resonated deeply with me throughout our early readings and assignments. It captures the essence of what we have been learning about the collective action problem in global struggles for freedom. I’ve noticed how this theme recurs across multiple case studies: movements often depend on individuals willing to act when others hesitate. Even efforts to raise international awareness or protect activists abroad require collective coordination. Yet, the enduring question remains—how can we overcome this collective action problem within domestic contexts?"— Liam (Global Struggles for Freedom, Fall 2025)
"I took this course as a college requirement, and it ended up being one of my most engaging classes. The different class activities, like the use of [virtual reality] and especially being able to hear from our guest speakers, made the class feel more personal and drove home its meaning much more than only readings and lectures could do. Almost all of our speakers emphasized the importance of classes like ours in bringing human rights violations to the public consciousness. The class inspired me to act in whatever ways I can to raise awareness about the struggles fought under repressive regimes around the world, because after all, if I – and my classmates, and anyone else who knows what’s going on – don’t do something, who will?"— Olivia (Global Struggles for Freedom, Fall 2025)
"As threats to democracies intensify and commitments to institutions weaken, our experience in Democracy Defenders in Exile has given us a front-row seat to the work of activists, organizers, and leaders who have dedicated their personal and professional lives to safeguarding democratic norms. It was incredibly rewarding to meet and engage with these democracy defenders—holding conversations, asking difficult questions, and reflecting on the future of global democracy. Through these sessions, we gained invaluable insight into their struggles and achievements, while also considering the roles each of us can play in protecting and strengthening democracy." — Alex (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"Participating in Democracy Defenders in Exile has been a truly transformative experience. It has deepened my understanding of the threats facing democracy and the powerful ways activists and ordinary citizens are fighting back. Meeting with those on the frontlines of this struggle has inspired me to do more and shown me how the theories and concepts I’ve studied at Notre Dame can be applied in practice to help build a better world for everyone. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to take part in this experience."— James B. (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"I think this course has done more than any other experience I’ve had at Notre Dame to make me aware of the human rights abuses occurring in China. There’s a tendency to treat human rights as an afterthought to economic or political concerns, and when those abuses feel remote, it becomes easy to tell ourselves they don’t really matter. But this course has made clear just how important it is to stay engaged with human rights issues, and it has given me the tools to do so. I now feel much more confident in both my understanding of the subject matter and in my ability to interact with democracy defenders and leaders in the human rights space. I’m genuinely grateful to have had the chance to take this class, and I hope that more students will be able to share this experience."— James L. (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"The Democracy Defenders in Exile series offered an unparalleled opportunity to engage with real-world advocates and reflect on the global impact of human rights work. It was a privilege to participate in a course where our work was meaningful beyond the classroom. I interviewed Jewher Ilham, a Uyghur activist, author, and filmmaker in exile, both in class and after a public screening of her film “All Static and Noise” at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Speaking with her revealed how advocacy and storytelling intersect in human rights work and deepened my respect for the courage required to confront systemic oppression. Interviewing Jewher made tangible the human stakes of global human rights issues. From her separation from her father, Ilham Tohti, imprisoned for life in China, to her relentless advocacy through writing, testimony, and film, she embodies the power of storytelling to give human faces to abstract horrors and cold statistics. Working with my teammates, we divided our focus among emotional impact, policy, and generational perspectives to ensure our questions captured the depth of Jewher’s work. Conducting interviews before a live audience pushed me out of my comfort zone, teaching me to speak from knowledge and curiosity rather than notes. Unlike typical classes, we weren’t focused on grades—the coursework felt bigger than ourselves, with real-world implications."— Jane (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"I loved interviewing and listening to the speakers we invited to our class as they shared their stories and goals for activism. Hearing directly from them—and having the chance to ask questions—helped us learn in a way that reading and writing essays alone never could. This experience made our learning more active and engaging, and it personally opened my eyes to events and perspectives I had never encountered before. My curiosity about the experiences of different groups in China has grown tremendously as a result."— John (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"The beauty of doing political science at the University of Notre Dame is that you can truly explore any area of the discipline. With that being said, though, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to interact so frequently with true defenders of democracy. Throughout my undergraduate courses, the importance of democracy has been analyzed and reaffirmed over and over be it in my World Politics, Political Theory, or American Politics courses. As we learn this, we equally learn how democracy is being encroached upon around the world. This senior seminar takes that concept and injects it into a fundamentally real-world based class. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to interact with leaders of human rights advocacy such as Yaqiu Wang, Lobsang Sangay, and Reva Price as an ordinary part of this course. It is an incredible culmination of the political science major. Every interview is inspiring in unique ways. They push us to redefine how we view success and assess what steps we are taking to achieve it."— Ricardo (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"'When you have lost your country, you must build it in memory and behavior.' That thought has followed me through every story we heard this semester. Each defender we met showed how exile can become a moral discipline. Listening to them, I realized that democracy in exile is not nostalgia but a daily practice—about how one chooses to live, speak, and remember. They turned loss into labor and exile into ethics. Their journeys challenged me to see freedom not as possession but as responsibility: to keep the memory of truth alive, even when home feels distant."— Robert (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"I have never before taken a course like Prof. Hui's Democracy Defenders in Exile. Oftentimes, students and professors place grades before the learning process. In this class, however, I've pushed myself to continuously improve because grades are secondary to accurately honoring the lived experiences of the human rights defenders we've had the opportunity to engage with. The relationships between the activists, journalists, and government leaders we get to work with in this course testify to the power of collaboration in addressing human rights issues from all angles. While one class won't teach us to solve human rights abuses- in fact, they may never be fully prevented- we've been given the resources needed to do our part in the collective effort to protect human dignity."— Sam (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"As a student living in the United States, I often read about human rights violations and suffering around the world. However, there is a meaningful difference between learning about these injustices through articles and statistics and hearing directly from people who have experienced them firsthand. Taking Global Struggles for Freedom with Professor Hui pushed me to confront that difference and recognize how much I have taken for granted in my own life. The course humanized global struggles, bringing them front and center and making them feel immediate rather than distant. This class also challenged me to think more seriously about my own role in responding to these injustices. Rather than presenting global crises as overwhelming or untouchable, the course emphasized how small, intentional actions can contribute to meaningful change. As an economics student, I am often trained to focus on theories and models that explain behavior. Global Struggles for Freedom taught me that while these frameworks matter, they are incomplete without centering human rights. The course reinforced for me that human dignity should be a starting point—not an afterthought—in understanding the world."— Julia (Global Struggles for Freedom, Fall 2025)
"'If not me, who?'—this question, posed by Samuel Chu, has resonated deeply with me throughout our early readings and assignments. It captures the essence of what we have been learning about the collective action problem in global struggles for freedom. I’ve noticed how this theme recurs across multiple case studies: movements often depend on individuals willing to act when others hesitate. Even efforts to raise international awareness or protect activists abroad require collective coordination. Yet, the enduring question remains—how can we overcome this collective action problem within domestic contexts?"— Liam (Global Struggles for Freedom, Fall 2025)
"I took this course as a college requirement, and it ended up being one of my most engaging classes. The different class activities, like the use of [virtual reality] and especially being able to hear from our guest speakers, made the class feel more personal and drove home its meaning much more than only readings and lectures could do. Almost all of our speakers emphasized the importance of classes like ours in bringing human rights violations to the public consciousness. The class inspired me to act in whatever ways I can to raise awareness about the struggles fought under repressive regimes around the world, because after all, if I – and my classmates, and anyone else who knows what’s going on – don’t do something, who will?"— Olivia (Global Struggles for Freedom, Fall 2025)
"As threats to democracies intensify and commitments to institutions weaken, our experience in Democracy Defenders in Exile has given us a front-row seat to the work of activists, organizers, and leaders who have dedicated their personal and professional lives to safeguarding democratic norms. It was incredibly rewarding to meet and engage with these democracy defenders—holding conversations, asking difficult questions, and reflecting on the future of global democracy. Through these sessions, we gained invaluable insight into their struggles and achievements, while also considering the roles each of us can play in protecting and strengthening democracy." — Alex (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"Participating in Democracy Defenders in Exile has been a truly transformative experience. It has deepened my understanding of the threats facing democracy and the powerful ways activists and ordinary citizens are fighting back. Meeting with those on the frontlines of this struggle has inspired me to do more and shown me how the theories and concepts I’ve studied at Notre Dame can be applied in practice to help build a better world for everyone. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to take part in this experience."— James B. (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"I think this course has done more than any other experience I’ve had at Notre Dame to make me aware of the human rights abuses occurring in China. There’s a tendency to treat human rights as an afterthought to economic or political concerns, and when those abuses feel remote, it becomes easy to tell ourselves they don’t really matter. But this course has made clear just how important it is to stay engaged with human rights issues, and it has given me the tools to do so. I now feel much more confident in both my understanding of the subject matter and in my ability to interact with democracy defenders and leaders in the human rights space. I’m genuinely grateful to have had the chance to take this class, and I hope that more students will be able to share this experience."— James L. (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"The Democracy Defenders in Exile series offered an unparalleled opportunity to engage with real-world advocates and reflect on the global impact of human rights work. It was a privilege to participate in a course where our work was meaningful beyond the classroom. I interviewed Jewher Ilham, a Uyghur activist, author, and filmmaker in exile, both in class and after a public screening of her film “All Static and Noise” at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Speaking with her revealed how advocacy and storytelling intersect in human rights work and deepened my respect for the courage required to confront systemic oppression. Interviewing Jewher made tangible the human stakes of global human rights issues. From her separation from her father, Ilham Tohti, imprisoned for life in China, to her relentless advocacy through writing, testimony, and film, she embodies the power of storytelling to give human faces to abstract horrors and cold statistics. Working with my teammates, we divided our focus among emotional impact, policy, and generational perspectives to ensure our questions captured the depth of Jewher’s work. Conducting interviews before a live audience pushed me out of my comfort zone, teaching me to speak from knowledge and curiosity rather than notes. Unlike typical classes, we weren’t focused on grades—the coursework felt bigger than ourselves, with real-world implications."— Jane (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"I loved interviewing and listening to the speakers we invited to our class as they shared their stories and goals for activism. Hearing directly from them—and having the chance to ask questions—helped us learn in a way that reading and writing essays alone never could. This experience made our learning more active and engaging, and it personally opened my eyes to events and perspectives I had never encountered before. My curiosity about the experiences of different groups in China has grown tremendously as a result."— John (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"The beauty of doing political science at the University of Notre Dame is that you can truly explore any area of the discipline. With that being said, though, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to interact so frequently with true defenders of democracy. Throughout my undergraduate courses, the importance of democracy has been analyzed and reaffirmed over and over be it in my World Politics, Political Theory, or American Politics courses. As we learn this, we equally learn how democracy is being encroached upon around the world. This senior seminar takes that concept and injects it into a fundamentally real-world based class. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to interact with leaders of human rights advocacy such as Yaqiu Wang, Lobsang Sangay, and Reva Price as an ordinary part of this course. It is an incredible culmination of the political science major. Every interview is inspiring in unique ways. They push us to redefine how we view success and assess what steps we are taking to achieve it."— Ricardo (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"'When you have lost your country, you must build it in memory and behavior.' That thought has followed me through every story we heard this semester. Each defender we met showed how exile can become a moral discipline. Listening to them, I realized that democracy in exile is not nostalgia but a daily practice—about how one chooses to live, speak, and remember. They turned loss into labor and exile into ethics. Their journeys challenged me to see freedom not as possession but as responsibility: to keep the memory of truth alive, even when home feels distant."— Robert (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
"I have never before taken a course like Prof. Hui's Democracy Defenders in Exile. Oftentimes, students and professors place grades before the learning process. In this class, however, I've pushed myself to continuously improve because grades are secondary to accurately honoring the lived experiences of the human rights defenders we've had the opportunity to engage with. The relationships between the activists, journalists, and government leaders we get to work with in this course testify to the power of collaboration in addressing human rights issues from all angles. While one class won't teach us to solve human rights abuses- in fact, they may never be fully prevented- we've been given the resources needed to do our part in the collective effort to protect human dignity."— Sam (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)
“Listening to Yaqiu, Jewher, and Lobsang reshaped how I understand courage, but it also forced me to confront something much closer to home. Their insistence on survival—on protecting the self in order to sustain the work—resonated with me not only as an aspiring advocate, but as someone whose own life has been shaped by instability and separation. Mental health, for me, is not an abstract concept discussed in panels or self-care checklists; it is something I have had to actively protect simply to keep moving forward.
Because of that lived experience, I recognize myself immediately in what Jewher said so plainly: ‘Movements survive when people do.’ I know what it feels like to push forward without pausing, to accept emotional exhaustion as the cost of survival, to convince yourself that slowing down is a luxury you cannot afford. But I have also learned that ignoring mental health does not make you stronger; it makes you brittle.
If I want to build a life rooted in advocacy, I have to build one rooted in mental health as well. Protecting my mind is not separate from the work—it is part of the work.”
— Wedeb (Democracy Defenders in Exile, Fall 2025)Page updated
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