Final for papers and participation in un-COP15 Academic
Seminar Blockade
Climate
Change: power, policy and public action
Sunday 13th
December, 2009,
The United Nations
Climate Change Conference (COP 15) takes place in
‘The democratic process doesn't quite seem to be
working…. What is frustrating people, me included, is that democratic
action affects elections but what we get then from political leaders is greenwash…. I’m not surprised that people are
getting frustrated. I think that peaceful demonstration is not out of order,
because we're running out of time’ (Adam,
2009).
Elsewhere in
This session is intended
as an 'Academic Seminar Blockade', a form of constructive resistance. We wish to defend academic
inquiry and critical reflection on the complex issues surrounding climate
change and environmental and social justice by holding a peaceful
academic seminar 'in the street’. Participation in such an academic
endeavour is resistance to a culture of governmentality,
through positively re-making public space to reflect on the world and reclaim
the global and intellectual commons of democratic debate and accountability.
Such academic activities have been successfully utilized as an academic strategy
and position elsewhere. As part of Faslane 365, a
year-long campaign against
‘Academics
can and should be central to this process of envisioning and realising the kind of society we want’ (Kenrick
& Vinthagen, 2008).
The Academic Seminar
Blockade 'Climate
Change: power, policy and public action' will
feature presentations, papers, questions and debate in much the same way
as in conventional conference spaces, but in visible, public space in the
centre of Copenhagen. The precise location will be decided through participation
with local academics and other alternative COP 15 event organisers. This call invites potential
participants to register an interest in making a short academic intervention in
this way, on
any aspect of the environmental and social injustices of climate change. A variety of interventions is
encouraged, from relevant research findings to ethical statements, from
disciplines across the academic spectrum. Similarly, creativity in the use of
images and performance is welcome.
Convenors:
Kye Askins (Geography and Environment,
Justin Kenrick (Sustainable Development, Department of Geography
and Geoscience,
Kelvin Mason (
Please register an interest or send
abstracts to Kelvin Mason by Thursday November 5th 2009
Adam, D (2009) Leading
climate scientist: 'democratic process isn't working',
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/mar/18/nasa-climate-change-james-hansen
Kenrick, J & S Vinthagen
(2008) ‘Critique
in Action: Academic Conference Blockades’ IN Zelter A, Faslane 365: A year of anti-nuclear blockades,
Dr Kelvin Mason
Distance Learning Tutor
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