I WANT MORE Korean frisson/fission

Thanks to Sarah for pointing this one out. Its a bomb!
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'Combating Terrorism by Countering Radicalisation'

Comrades,

For information purposes (or should that be dis-informations proposals) ... Regarding meetings in British Universities to discuss new gov.terror research programs. Our very own Camelot, yet again.

Meanwhile, today even the Generals are talking mutinous talk it seems, perhaps....

J

> Dear all,
>
>
> This is the information relating to the third item on the agenda that
> I have just circulated. Some of you know about this already, but now
> that the scheme is coming to fruition and projects are to be funded, I
> think that it is essential that we discuss and reflect on the implications
> of these developments. The matter has been raised with me most recently by
> Martha Mundy, David Seddon and Glen Bowman, and
> Martha and David have already taken up the issues with the UK Middle
> Eastern Studies Association. I have copied in a circular letter that
> Martha has drafted on the problems that the scheme and its mode of
> implementation pose. David attended one of the by invitation meetings to
> which Martha refers yesterday. It was sparsely attended and pertinent
> questions from david and other participants did not produce satisfactory
> responses or assurances from the Programme Director or ESRC officials. If
> you read Martha's letter and then examine the attached ESRC call for
> proposals and supporting country/region documents, then I think the scale
> of the problems this poses (from conception to execution) will become all
> too painfully apparent.
>
> I would like to promote as wide awareness and discussion as possible
> of this and other manifestations of the "war against terror's" increasing
> influence on academic life (such as the presence of security personnel at
> academic events), so you might want to distribute this to other members of
> staff and maybe discuss it formally before the 28th. I will be happy to
> write to ESRC and AHRC expressing our collective views, perhaps on the
> lines that Martha has already laid out, but assuming that the scheme goes
> ahead as planned that is not likely to be the end of the matter and we
> really do need to consider the deeper and longer term implications
>
> All the best
>
> John
>
>
> Martha's letter:
>
>
> Dear Colleague,
>
> You will find below and in attachment information received by email
> concerning an FCO-AHRC-ESRC research programme entitled 'Combating
> Terrorism by Countering Radicalisation'. For three major reasons this
> initiative promises to be very damaging to the reputation of British
> academic research: because of the design of the programme itself, because
> of the risk to researchers working overseas it entails, and because of the
> lack of transparency in the sponsorship and selection process. I am
> therefore asking you, after reading the appended material, either to write
> yourself to the funding councils or to indicate back to me that you share
> the concerns outlined below and would like to pursue a collective
> response.
>
> Let me briefly summarize the three sets of problems raised by the
> initiative.
>
> 1) The programme entails a series of extremely specific
> intelligence-driven questions that start from the premise of a link between
> Islam, radicalisation (nowhere defined!) and terrorism. It is
> the role of academic research to provide good basic knowledge of the
> various regions; this requires relatively free funding for research, on
> which, of course, intelligence reports will in turn draw. But this
> programme puts the cart before the horse, even on its own terms, and will
> result in poor scientific knowledge about the regions, countries and
> phenomena that the programme identifies as central. Scholars need to
> enjoy a degree of intellectual independence and self-guidance that this
> programme does not allow.
>
> 2) In many of the countries and regions specified in the programme, a
> researcher who attempted on the ground - not from an office-chair in the
> United Kingdom - to conduct research into the questions posed by the
> programme could be placed in physical danger either from local religious or
> nationalist actors or from the relevant state governments themselves. In a
> context where the international reputation of the United Kingdom
> (following recent wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon) is poor,
> funding British researchers to pursue an overtly security-research agenda
> abroad is likely to endanger perhaps not just their reputation but also
> their physical well-being. As Doctoral Programme Director in the
> Anthropology Department of the LSE I regularly countersign the
> ethics and risk-assessment statements of our doctoral researchers. Should
> they propose research of the kind required by this programme in a country
> such as Nigeria or Sudan (two of the selected countries), it would be
> contrary to my professional ethics to ignore the possible risk the
> doctoral candidate would face. Presumably the programme was written by
> security studies experts who have little or no experience of field
> research in the areas Dear of South-East, Central and South Asia, The Arab
> World, and relevant African countries concerned by the
> initiative. In relation to both the current world-class status of British
> research and the personal security of researchers in the field, this
> initiative is problematic as potentially threatening both.
>
> 3) Inquiries to the ESRC by Professor David Seddon reveal that this
> programme has not been openly advertised but was designed by an invited
> group of academics meeting July 10th ; on October 12th/13th meetings are
> to be held in London and Edinburgh to which certain academics are invited
> (I myself happen to be on the list presumably because I was
> major panel member for the Arabic Language funding initiative of the two
> councils last year). Closing date for proposals will be November 8th and
> decision will be forthcoming in January, a 'Commissioning Panel of
> academic and user experts to be convened' [see attached Call for
> Proposals.doc]. The programme is not to be openly advertised; rather,
> selected applicants are to be invited to proceed with final applications
> for the funding. Apparently the funding derives largely from the Foreign
> Office and the AHRC. Given this fact, it would be appropriate
> that Foreign Office (as the US State Department has done in offering
> research grants) take over the direct administration of the programme.
> Such a programme should be neither funded by, nor administered through,
> the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Economic and Social
> Research Council, as it violates the principles of open advertisement
> and transparent competition which guarantee the excellence and independence
> of British council-funded research. If the Foreign Office believes that
> programme is in its interest, then it should administer the grants itself,
> and academics choosing to participate can do so under that body. But the
> rest of British university research overseas and the good practices of the
> funding councils must be safeguarded against direct association with
> intelligence-gathering exercises.
>
>
> Martha Mundy
> Reader in Anthropology
> London School of Economics>
_______________________________________________
[note: I have not yet seen the 'attached call for proposals.doc, funnily enough -J]
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Multicultural Encounters

Sanjay's book is out. Yaaay - congratulations Sanjay - this is great.

'Multicultural Encounters provides a unique insight into the complexities of teaching a multicultural curriculum in today's university. Sanjay Sharma's book is a crucial resource for all those who aspire to a theoretically informed but practically achievable anti-racist pedagogy.' - Professor Les Back, Goldsmiths College University, UK

Description
Multicultural Encounters develops a radical cultural and media studies by confronting the challenge of difference for rethinking everyday multiculture. It proposes both a theory and practice of a critical pedagogy of popular culture through an analysis of contemporary media and film. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars committed to a critical practice for transforming the politics of representation and otherness.

Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
PART 1: EDUCATING IDENTITY
Introduction: What's Wrong with Multiculturalism?
Borders, Agency and Otherness
Teaching Difference: Representation and Rhizomes
PART 2: MULTICULTURAL PRAXIS
Reading Racial Crisis
Critical Practice: 'Minor-Popular' Film
Diaspora Pedagogy: Working with British-Asian film
Epilogue: the Problem with Pedagogy
Notes
Bibliography
Index

£45.00 - 1403935564

Author Biographies
SANJAY SHARMA teaches at the School of Social Sciences and Law, Brunel University, UK. He has published in the areas of multiculturalism, anti-racism, diaspora youth cultures and is the co-editor of Dis-Orienting Rhythms: Politics of Asian Dance Music.


[Its hardcover so it costs bit (makes me want to suggest people go for the five finger discount if you see it in a shop like Borders - but not from any decent shops K)]

1857.org.uk - Commemorate the 150th anniversary of 1857 uprising from a peoples perspective

The 1857 uprisings were a part of the war of national liberation in South Asia
· India and South Asia are still going through this struggle
· We need to link the history of our people to what is happening today

Aims and Objectives

· Commemorate the 150^th anniversary of 1857 uprising from a peoples perspective

· Organise a series of events and activities around 1857 uprising

The themes that we wish to promote through these events and activities include:

· Historical significance of the 1857 uprising in South Asia and Internationally.

· The significance and implications of 1857 uprising to contemporary events and struggles in South Asia and Internationally

· The significance and affect of the 1857 uprisings to the UK and its reactions then and its reactions to current events now:

o anti colonialism

o anti terror issues.

4) What were the affects of 1857 uprisings on culture, then and now, and what can we learn from them.

5) Why celebrate the 1857 events in South Asia

· It is one of the first struggles against colonialism and imperialism and it represented a focal point for the struggles that developed subsequently against colonialism and imperialism in South Asia and internationally. In today’s context it bears similarities to the global events of today and the struggle against re-colonisation and imperialism.

4) Plans and activities for the Commemoration

a) Publication

We agreed to produce a publication. This would be a final piece that would be launched at the public event in Sept/Oct 2007. The publication will follow our set objectives and themes

b) Films on 1857

Organise films that we can take around to events that are happening around the UK. These could also be shown at the public event.

c) Exhibition

Prepare an exhibition that we can take around to events that are happening around the UK. A suggested theme was to do a comparison between 1857 and 2007.

d) Website

Launch a website which will host all materials which support our objectives and themes. It is anticipated that the website will encompass a discussion forum and allow contributions from others.

e)Cultural Aspects

The group agreed that it will also explore cultural aspects to the 1857 uprisings. These could then be encompassed within other activities.

Final Day Event marking the 1857 in October 2007 –

This would be a multi-venue and transnational event encompassing countries from South Asia, Britain and possibly other South Asian settlements in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America and Australia. .

We would like to hear from all peoples in participating or contributing to the commemoration. Contact us to help and or join the committee. Next meeting of the Committee is organised for the 15^th October 2006 at the SOAS details to be available soon.

Visit www.1857.org.uk

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News from the makers of 'Injustice'

News from the makers of 'Injustice' - the radical feature length documentary film about the struggles for justice by the families of people that have been killed by the police in the UK. www.injusticefilm.co.uk

1. 'INJUSTICE' CD - now available!
The INJUSTICE music CD was launched successfully in London and Birmingham recently (a report of the event will be up on http://www.4wardever.org/ soon!). The final line-up includes shortMAN, Princess Emmanuelle, Hillz Yungsterz , Aricka Douglas & Dub Judah , Yaz Alexander, Jimmy Chiozo, Ebele, WattsRiot feat. Scalper & Mr. Sparkes , Dee, Warhouse, The Tribunes feat. Judy Green & Poetic Justic, Lowkey and Sebastian Jamison. The CD will help raise the profile of the family campaigns for justice, after its launch there will be a touring 'Injustice Roadshow' with the Injustice film, family campaign speakers and live performances from the artists. The aim of the tour is to organise, raise awareness and raise funds to support the different family campaigns.

The CD includes some radical rap, hip-hop, roots, spoken word, r&b and much more! If you can help with distribution of the CD or want to host the road show then contact: info@injusticefilm.co.uk The CD is available through our website at http://www.injusticefilm.co.uk/ as well as in record shops in Birmingham, London and beyond.


2. Special screenings of 'Injustice'Its now five and a half years since Injustice was launched and the film continues to be screened on a regular basis and continues to ahve an impact! In this month alone there are six screenings planned. Details of all public screenings are on the website www.injusticefilm.co.uk

Every year we screen the film to school children as part of National Schools Film Week.
If you know of any schools in the South London area they can see the film free as follows:
17th October 2006 Ritzy Cinema, Coldharbour Lane, LONDON, SW2
10.00am schools only screening followed by Q&A with families & film maker.

Please note this screening is for National Schools Film Week and is not open to the public.
Schools wanting bookings please call: 020 7439 4880 www.nsfw.org
A big thanks to Film Education who organise NSFW for their continuing support.


3. INJUSTICE DVD - translation help needed.We are preparing a new DVD which will include 'Injustice' as well as extras covering reports on the film and the family campaigns. We are looking for people that can translate the film into German, Arabic and Farsi.
Get in touch if you can help info@injusticefilm.co.uk


4. United Families & Friends Campaign Annual ProcessionThe United Families & Friends Campaign invites all to this year's Remembrance Procession in memory of those who have died in police custody, in prison and in psychiatric care.

Saturday 28 October 2006
Rally at Trafalgar Square, Central London
€ Assemble at 1pm for a march to Downing Street.Nearest tube: Charing Cross
Further details: http://www.uffc.org/ or read the following article: www.blackbritain.co.uk/news/details.aspx?i=2296


5. United Families & Friends Campaign leaflet available
UFFC, with the support of the Churches Commission for Racial Justice, has recently launched a new leaflet about their struggles for justice. If you can help distribute these leaflets let us know and we can get the leaflets to you. info@injusticefilm.co.uk or call 07956 629 889

To read about other Migrant Media productions log onto http://www.injusticefilm.co.uk
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[pic is of Jasmine Elvie, mother of Brian Douglas]
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Trinketisation in The Statesman - Lahiri

Durga in THEMELAND - 5 october 2006

The attempt to package a spiritual experience often finds the goddess getting lost in a crowd of disparate ideas, connected at random without any attention to the religious narrative. Ranabir Lahiri writes on how mass tourism has blurred the line between the fake and the real

The trinketisation of ethnicity and folk culture is widespread in the theming of Durga Puja in Bengal. This cultural addition has been immensely popular to tourists. Nowhere in the world has the sacred space of a people been so thoroughly invaded to turn it into a huge spectacle without origin, without history. There are only multiple themes and motifs that displace the traditional image of Durga. Devi is truly lost in a crowd of disparate themes, connected at random without any attention to the central religious narrative. The theme puja has turned out to be the most subversive of popular cultural practices by foregrounding and commodifying the spectacle.

.Link

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Rogue Celebrity - more glitches in the system (3 cheers)

"The Arrogant, the Misguided and the Cowards: Out of Iraq, Out with Bush"

By Sean Penn

We the people of the United States have a unique opportunity. We can show each other and the world that what the Bush administration claims is their mission is not ours. And, by leading our country as a citizenry and demanding of our government an immediate end to our own military and profit investments in Iraq, display for the entire world that democracy is a government of the people.

http://informationclearinghouse.info/article15218.htm
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China Power Serpentine (Assembly reprise)

This Serpentine event looks pretty great. But there's a double take involved at the end - the invite says 'photography not allowed/wear waterproof clothing' - are the developers gonna hose us down to wreck our plans to snap and blog the latest China craze? I've written before (The Assembly catelogue) about the ways 'art' marks space for regeneration projects, but this old joint built to scale after that famous Pink Floyd album cover ('what Jimmy, you say there once was proper industrial work done there - hard to believe') has been pretty important - especially as the set for the film version of "Richard the Third" - winter of discontent indeed, Ian McKellen's best role...

Anyways. This looks worth a look...:

8 October – 5 November 2006

Serpentine Gallery presents China Power Station: Part 1 at Battersea Power Station

Co-produced by The Red Mansion Foundation

Thursday – Sunday, 12 – 7pm. Admission £5

A major exhibition of Chinese contemporary art, architecture and sound
Site and exhibition tours, tea room, shopping, events

For five weeks this autumn, the Serpentine Gallery will take up residence in Battersea Power Station with a presentation of Chinese culture.

China Power Station: Part I is a unique opportunity to visit the iconic Battersea Power Station before it is redeveloped. It will also be the first chance to see the work of an extraordinary and vibrant new generation of Chinese artists and architects installed at this remarkable site.

Battersea Power Station echoes post-industrial art venues in China and the works on show have been chosen to activate the enormous scale of its spaces. The exhibition will be filled with sound and moving images, arguably the most prolific and strongest type of work being created in China today. There are three floors to visit and the art will engage with each of these distinct areas. … This is the Serpentine Gallery’s first large scale, off-site exhibition project. It will embrace and celebrate the power of the building as well as the buoyant developments in Chinese contemporary culture. ./snip…

We recommend wearing waterproof clothing

Photography is not permitted

Link

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