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Events in February 2011

Student Events 9/02-14/02/2011

09 - 11 February 2011 Student Events 9/02-14/02/2011 Climate Change Project and Shared Planet

Ethics and sustainability: what makes sustainability a good thing

15 February 2011, 12:00 - 13:30 Ethics and sustainability: what makes sustainability a good thing In this talk Dr Dower argues that there is nothing valuable in sustainability unless what is (to be) sustained is of value. Much of the contestability of the concept of sustainability resides in different views about what is of value, both about what is worth pursuing and having and about the acceptable ways in which these things are pursued and maintained. Ethics comes into answering these questions about ends and means; for instance, is it human interests that matter or the interests of other living things? Is it the well-being of humans in my community or the world? What ethical constraints operate (e.g. justice, fairness, not harming) to limit what we or our group (town, area, country, association, business company) wish to sustain as valuable to us? Sustainability discourse sometimes functions as part of our goals, but more often functions as part of the ethical side-constraints on other goals. Arguably, the ethical side-constraints must be cosmopolitan (all human beings matter), future-oriented (future generations matter), and bio-centric (policies take into account the impact of actions on non-human life as well).

Café Internationale: Ethical issues in foreign aid: the why and how of aid

15 February 2011, 18:00 - 20:00 Café Internationale: Ethical issues in foreign aid: the why and how of aid In this talk Dr Dower first examines the ethical basis for an individual in one country giving aid to help alleviate poverty in another country. After briefly countering some arguments that we have no duty to give aid, he considers benevolence and several ideas of global justice, including the claim that we ought to compensate for indirectly contributing towards harming others or undermining what they have a right to. How far do these theories apply to corporate bodies such as nation-states, business companies or charitable organisations? Each involve complications: state governments are beholden to electorates and to international agreements, companies beholden to their shareholders, charities to their members or donors (whose views may not be our views). What do we make of the general idea of conditionality in aid? How far should aid organisations accept or welcome other aid agencies which have different goals and methods?

Special Lecture: After the Crash: Building a Future of Jobs and Justice

15 February 2011, 16:00 - 17:00 Special Lecture: After the Crash: Building a Future of Jobs and Justice Followed by reception and book signing. To attend the reception please RSVP by 8 February 2011 to: geg@univ.ox.ac.uk

Student Events

16 - 17 February 2011 Student Events COMING EVENTS ORGANIZED BY CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECT AND SHARED PLANET

Seminar: ' Deep Rurals", Modern Networks, and Sudanese Secrets'

16 February 2011, 16:00 - 18:00 Seminar: ' Deep Rurals", Modern Networks, and Sudanese Secrets' .

World Day of Social Justice

20 February 2011, 21:02 - 21:02 World Day of Social Justice "Social justice is based on the values of fairness, equality, respect for diversity, access to social protection, and the application of human rights in all spheres of life, including in the workplace. As we face the consequences of the global financial and economic crisis, which has led to significant increases in unemployment and poverty and is straining social integration, these principles are more important than ever." Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon 2010

Seminar: 'Critical Geopolitics: Resistance and Representation in South Africa'

23 February 2011, 16:00 - 18:00 Seminar: 'Critical Geopolitics: Resistance and Representation in South Africa' .

Sustainable Development 2011: harnessing the energy of communities

23 February 2011, 08:30 - 17:15 Sustainable Development 2011: harnessing the energy of communities Chris Church, Chair, UK Low Carbon Communities Network and Malcolm Fergusson Head of Climate Change, The Environment Agency are confimed to speak at Sustainable Development 2011.

GCID Millennium Development Goals Lecture 8: Global Partnership For Development

24 February 2011, 17:30 - 19:30 GCID Millennium Development Goals Lecture 8: Global Partnership For Development In this final lecture of the Winter Millennium Development Goals Lecture series we will be discussing Goal 8: developing a global partnership for development. Malcolm Bruce MP is currently the President of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and in Parliament is the Chair of the influential International Development Select Committee. Malcolm has held a number of high profile Party spokesmanships in Westminster including Trade and Industry, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Treasury. The lecture will be followed by a panel discussion including members of GCID, CTPI and Christian Aid.

Aberdeen University International Development Week

28 February - 04 March 2011 Aberdeen University International Development Week Welcome to the Aberdeen University International Development Week, where all those who want to start a career, or are simply interested in international development can get all the information at hand. There will be all kinds of events taking place throughout the week including movies, MUN sessions, guest lectures and our very own Careers Day. So come along and take part in one of the biggest events on campus this year!