Speakers at the forefront of new ideas for development have been confirmed for this Autumn term’s Sussex Development Lectures, run in partnership between IDS and the University of Sussex, who together are ranked no.1 in the world for development studies.
The lectures will cover topics including new, innovative approaches to poverty eradication, peacebuilding in the Middle East and learning from people’s movements in India. The high-level speakers include the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights Olivier De Schutter.
In the third lecture in the series, De Schutter will challenge poverty alleviation methods which are based on economic growth, instead seeking to build the argument for the next Development Goals to be agnostic about growth. De Schutter will show how well-being and the realisation of human rights, not increases to the size of the economy, should guide macro-economic policies in the future.
The second Sussex Development Lecture features Mohammed Abu-Nimer, an expert on conflict resolution and dialogue for peace. He will share his research on issues related to advancing reconciliation and forgiveness in the Arab region. The lecture will explore ways in which reconciliation and forgiveness can be effective tools in contributing to peacebuilding and sustainable development in the Arab region, and respond to certain root causes of many conflicts there.
The first lecture will feature cultural activist and literary critic Professor Ganesh Devy, best known for the People’s Linguistic Survey of India which has helped advance understanding of the many different languages spoken in India. He will discuss three democratic popular movements in India which have impacted anthropology, sociolinguistics and history over the last three decades. Devy will present his analysis of these three movements and how they relate to the current political climate. He will also share his observations on the links between knowledge production and social action, and insights from his new book The Indians: Histories of a civilization, which maps the origins, evolution, and present-day reality of India’s civilization and people.
The series is a must-watch event for all those studying development or international affairs. All of the lectures will be 4pm to 5.30pm (UK time) with the option to register to attend in person or stream live.
The Autumn 2023 Sussex Development Lecture series
Describing India: People’s Movements and Knowledge Production
With Professor Ganesh Devy, Obaid Siddiqi Chair Professor, National Centre for Biological Sciences – Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore.
Wednesday 11 October, in the IDS Convening Space
Peacebuilding and Development: Education for Forgiveness and reconciliation in Arab Region
With Professor Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Leverhulme Senior International Fellow-Coventry University & Abdulaziz Said Chair for Peace and Conflict Resolution, American University.
Wednesday 1 November, in Room C133, Arts C Building, University of Sussex
Well-Being without Growth? A New Approach to Combating Global Poverty
With Professor Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights.
Thursday 9 November, in the IDS Convening Space
The Sussex Development Lecture series provides opportunities every year to hear from leading global thinkers on development. It is jointly run by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), the School of Global Studies, the Science Policy and Research Unit (SPRU) and the Centre for International Education (CIE), based at the University of Sussex.
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