Radical Convergence: Exploring Critical Geographies in South Asia
A five-day workshop for Scholar-Activists
June 26th to 30th 2015 at Sambhaavnaa Institute, Himachal Pradesh, India
In the field of social change academics are often trapped by theoretical
sophistications and the demands of publishing in peer-reviewed journals
that are away from the public domain. On the other hand, activists, often
rooted in particular contexts, find it difficult to access the space for
engagement with wider experiences, especially those that are
cross-cultural and theoretical in orientation. The field of
critical/radical geography has been one such space, which has been
enabling and sustaining such a dialogue and helping those straddling the
academic and activist spaces, define their positions as scholar activists.
In order to further build, strengthen and broadbase this space we are
organising a workshop to bring together scholars and activists. The aim is
to share and explore possibilities of working together towards social
change. This is an initiative by a group of radical geographers which
Sambhaavnaa is supporting as it is aligned within the vision of the
Institute to broadbase courses on social and political issues.
Thematic Focus
Radical scholarship requires us to delve into the material realities of
social life with a desire to make politically relevant analysis thereby
working towards a just world. We align ourselves with the statement of
purpose for the ICCG(International Critical Geography Group), which states
that “we refuse the self-imposed isolation of much academic research,
believing that social science belongs to the people and not the
increasingly corporate universities.” Both radical and critical geography
emerged in US and UK in the 1960s and have since come a long way in
creating spaces where meaningful dialogue and debate can be fostered (such
as the journals Antipode and Acme, the critical geography conferences and
the Institutes for geographies of justice). In this meet we propose to
bring together radical/critical geographers working
in the South Asian context. In outlining a more regional focus to the meet
we hope to explore what overlaps and extensions have emerged in the way
radical and critical geographies are shaped in the regional context of
South Asia.
The Process
The meeting will be a mix of dialogue, debate, reading groups,
presentations, meetings with local activists and most importantly setting
ourselves a road map. We envisage this meeting as a space to bring
together the various strands of radical geography and scholar activist
efforts that are currently underway in the different parts of South Asia
but perhaps not in conversation with each other. The idea is also to bring
into this conversation young activists and doctoral students and therefore
there will also be a pedagogical aspect to the meeting.
Program Venue
Sambhaavnaa Insitute of Public Policy and Politics located in Kandwari
Village, Himachal Pradesh. Sambhaavnaa is an alternative space for
learning and reflection set in the backdrop of the Dhauladhar mountain
range in Himachal. Set up under the aegis of the Kumud Bhushan Education
Society, the Institute is committed to facilitate dialogues on social and
political change and work with young people interested in the politics of
change. To know more about Sambhaavnaa visit www.sambhaavnaa.org
<http://www.sambhaavnaa.org/%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank>
Program Fees
The program fees, which includes boarding, lodging and
other logistical expenses for the 5-day workshop is Rs. 3650/-
To register (ideally before June 5) for the program please visit
http://bit.ly/1FHEtUz <http://bit.ly/1FHEtUz>
Program
Day 1: Introduction and Orientation
Discussion topics: Investigating the category of the Scholar-Activist;
institutional and material structures that inhibit/facilitate the workings
of scholar-activists; Experience sharing; Introduction to Radical/critical
approaches.
Day 2: Conversations in Political Ecology
Morning: Discussion of pre-circulated readings that lay out the
theoretical frameworks and historical developments that define political
ecology in general and political ecology - the way it is
practiced/theorized in South Asia particularly the Himalayan region.
Afternoon: Workshop - Break up into small groups to discuss issues and
dilemmas in Political Ecology.
Day 3: Conversations in Feminist Geography
Morning: Discussion of pre-circulated readings in Feminist Geography
addressing issues of how socio-spatial relationships define and get
defined by gender relations. How can theoretical perspectives inform and
be informed by questions of gender justice?
Afternoon: Break up into small groups/ workshop on feminist methodologies
that use theatre, art, body awareness etc. in scholar-activist works.
Day 4: Conversations on Political Economy
Morning: Discussions of pre-circulated readings that help understand the
capitalist economy particularly in the context of India. How does the role
of the State, Capital, Caste, Class and Religion effect everyday life in
different sites in India (focus on Himachal).
Afternoon: Small discussion groups and sharing of stories amongst
participants that help complicate some of the theoretical and
methodological approaches discussed in the morning session.
Day 5: Brainstorming meeting to discuss next steps
Formation of a group of scholar-activists. What form should it take?
Mechanisms to build solidarity between those working within academia and
those working as activists. Developing tools to facilitate more frequent
interactions and share information etc.
About the Program Facilitators
Anu Sabhlok is trained as an architect, feminist scholar and geographer.
Issues of identity and space in the "developing" world context are central
to her work. Her doctoral work at Penn State focused on the political and
gendered dynamics of relief work in the context of heightened Hindu
nationalism and economic liberalization in Gujarat, India. Her current
work raises questions about the meanings of a nations 'defence' and
'development' in the work and lives of migrant laborers. Anu teaches at
the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali. Her
teaching, research and activism form part of the same continuum; they
share the same goals: to push the boundaries of established disciplines,
of entrenched societal norms, and to seek transformation towards social
justice.
Rohit Negi is at the School of Human Ecology, Ambedkar University Delhi.
He is trained as an Urban Planner and Geographer, and has worked at the
interface of the urban process, ecology and politics in Sub-Saharan Africa
and India. He has been active in the anti-war and workplace organizing in
the US, and has promoted community-based publications and outreach in the
copper mining areas of Zambia. Rohit is currently engaged in research on
the trajectory of a small town in Kullu via its materiality, that is, the
stuff that scaffolds the everyday life of residents.
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