International Development Forum / International Development Society

The US / Iran Conflict: Imperialism, Hegemony and Intervention

The Department of Politics and International Relations will host a seminar jointly organised by the International Development Forum and International Development Society on the US / Iran conflict: imperialism, hegemony and intervention

Abstract

The crisis of Iran and the West, especially the US has reached a new climax: a threat of attack on Iran from NATO, the US and Israel are reminiscent of the 2003 Iraqi invasion. Although Iran denies that they are processing nuclear weapons, the West has refused to believe Iran’s claim and continues to impose sanctions on Iran. This meeting will assess the root causes of the conflict, the role played by the US in the region and the implications of the conflict in the region and beyond. 

Speakers

Professor David Chandler: 

Dr Farhang Morady

Dr Sahar Taghdisi Rad

Monday 26^th of March 2012, 17:30, Board Room, 309 Regent Street

IDS: the realities, issues and challenges of life in informal settlements.

IDS is delighted to announce yet another event! This time we will be addressing the realities, issues and challenges of life in informal settlements. In 2008 for the first time in history more people live in cities than rural areas. This fact, however, does not necessarily represent progress- the number of people living in slums will soon exceed 1 billion, that is one-third of urban dwellers. With UN forecasting the number of the slum dwellers doubling in next 25 years, slums are the fastest growing human habitat. Slums, being informal settlements not recognized by municipalities, lack basic infrastructure, public services, clean water and sanitation. This makes living in slums very challenging and often dangerous. Monday, 19th of March, University of Westminster,  Regent Street Campus, RS 152 SPEAKERS: Dr. Atreyee Sen RCUK Fellow in Coflict, Cohesion and Change, University of Manchester Presenting her essay: 'Against Our Mothers’: Child Vigilantes and Public Beating of Women in an Indian slum Isis Paola PhD researcher at University of Westminster (Research Project on Creativity and Scarcity in the Built Environment) Sharing her experience from 6 months fieldwork in Mathare, second largest slum in Kenya: It is the aim of this talk to encourage a critical discussion on urban informality and poverty, with a focus on issues of agency and inclusion We will be screening BBC show "Famous, Rich & in the Slums" in which four UK celebrities try to live in the largest African slum Kibera (Nairobi, Kenya). You will also have an opportunity to see series of pictures by student of MA Photojournalism at the University of Westminster, Pio De Rose, who visited Kibera in 2011. Snacks and drinks will be provided! Hope to see you there, IDS Team

Religion and ‘postsecular’ international relations

Is international relations (IR) still secular or have we entered a new,‘postsecular,’ era, where centuries old secular certainties no longer apply? This paper will argue that we have now entered an era of ‘postsecular’ international relations, and examine activities of religious transnational actors (RTAs) to support this contention. Just click on his name below to download the lecture.

Jeffrey Haynes, 14 March, 2012.