Embark on an exploration of the possibilities and challenges that the concept of relationality poses for environmental ethics, health, and politics, all woven around the central theme of 'water' or 'the sea.'
We will first delve into diverse perspectives on relationality and relationships, such as those proposed by posthumanist scholars as well as non-Western philosophies such as Japanese perspectives and Amazonian ontologies. With these varied lenses, we'll investigate how to apply these ideas to contemporary issues such as the pollution of Mar Menor, the refugees crossing the Mediterranean Sea, and Northern Europe's modern colonialism of the South for the North's energy and food production—for example, as illustrated by La Ruta de la Placa. Furthermore, we'll explore the potential of engaging with local (Hispanic and Arab) arts and literature to gain deeper insights.
Discover the speakers and detailed programme below
Detailed programme
Please note that this schedule may be subject to changes.
| Monday February 3rd | |
| 9:00-9:30 | Coffee |
| 9:30-10:30 | Welcome, intro to the winter school, practicalities and getting to know each other |
| 10:30-11:00 | Coffee break |
| 11:00-12:30 | Lecture: Epistemology, language, and Relational Categories by Mayli Mertens |
| 12:30-14:00 | Lunch together |
| 14:00-15:30 | Lecture: Introduction to Relational Ontologies: Animism and Naturalism by Franlu Vulliermet |
| 15:30-16:00 | Coffee Break |
16:00-17:00 | Lecture: Water resources and overexploitation in the Tabernas-Sorbas desert by José María Calaforra |
| 17:00-18:00 | Co-designing Pathways to Support Sustainable Futures in Arid Spain by María D. López Rodríguez |
| 18:00-18:30 | Checkout: Short reflection on possible topics of paper and presentations |
| Tuesday February 4th | |
| 9:30-11:00 | Lecture: Relational Agency by Suvielise Nurmi |
| 11:00-11:15 | Coffee Break |
| 11:15-12:30 | Reading session on floods and relationality discussing the text by Makoto Taniguchi on floodings + videos |
| 12:30-14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00-15:30 | Workshop: Relating to Invisible parts of the Earth / Attuning to the Deep Sea by Christina Stadlbauer, Kristien Hens, Bartaku Vandeput |
| 15:30-16:00 | Coffee Break |
| 16:00-17:30 | Lecture: Local Experiential Knowledge by Ashley Sheets |
| 17:30-18:00 | Checkout: Short reflection on the day, linking it with paper or own interests. |
| Wednesday February 5th | |
| 8:30-18:30 | Day Excursion to Greenhouses, Mare de Plastico, Rodalquilar, Lucainena de las Torres - Mirador Las Salinas & Desaladora y Rambla de Morale - Hike to Baronales - Water deposit, plastic pour, and vision of the sea of plastic “Mar de Plastico” - Guided tour & introduction of Asociación Almería Acoge - Drive through Tabernas, Olive Orchards turned Solar Panel fields, and Lucainena - Meditation in the desert |
| Thursday February 6th | |
| 9:00-10:30 | Lecture: Agave Plants and Their Complex History/Status by Bartaku Vandeput |
| 10:30-11:00 | Coffee Break |
| 11:00-12:30 | Lecture: What is Pollution? by Franlu Vulliermet |
| 12:30-14:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00-15:30 | Themed Session: Damaged Ecosystems from Japan to South America by Bartaku Vandeput, Kristien Hens, Franlu Vulliermet |
| 15:30-16:00 | Coffee Break |
| 16:00-17:00 | Reading session discussing texts on Oromo Environmental Ethics |
17:00-18:00 | Reflections on Damaged Ecosystems and the day |
| 20:00-22:00 | Movie: Ponyo (optional) |
| Friday February 7th | |
| 9:00-10:30 | Lecture: Thinking in terms of flows: Mountains and Rivers in Asian Environmental Philosophies by Laÿna Droz |
| 10:30-11:00 | Coffee Break |
| 11:00-13:00 | Paper presentations / Discussions |
| 13:00-17:00 | Excursion to Alcazaba in Almeria (packed lunch) |
| 18:00-20:00 | Closing Dinner / Location: La Guajira |
| 20:00 - | Get together |
Speakers
The following speakers have already been confirmed:
- Dr. Kristien Hens (University of Antwerp)
- Dr. Mayli Mertens (University of Antwerp / Atlas Bioethics Center)
- Dr. Bartaku Vandeput (University of Anwerp)
- Franlu Vulliermet (University of Antwerp)
- Dr. Juan Sebastián Fernández Prados (University of Almeria)
- Dr. Christina Stadlbauer (Ghent University)
- Ashley Sheets (Sunseed Desert Technology)
- Dr. María D. López Rodríguez (University of Almeria)
- Marcos Diéguez Vidal (Ecologistas en Acción)
- Tom Hannes (University of Eindhoven)
- Dr. Laÿna Droz (Tokyo University)
Target group
The winter school is designed for Ma-students, PhD-students, and professionals interested in environmental humanities, health humanities, environmental politics, social justice, or bio-ethics.
Prerequisites
Participants should have at least completed 2 full years of higher education in a relevant field of study.
Campus
This winter school takes place at University of Almeria, Almeria, Spain.
Micro-credential and study credits (ECTS)
6 ECTS credits are awarded upon successful completion of the programme. Participants need to attend the scheduled course contact hours, perform satisfactorily in all continuous assessment tasks of the course (including group work assignments and presentations), and complete the final assessment task (a research paper (4000 words) due eight weeks after the end of the winter school) to qualify for a certificate of completion.
Participants who attend the scheduled course contact hours but don't complete the tasks will receive a certificate of attendance.
Participants need an agreement with the responsible person at the home institution to include the credits in the curriculum at the home institution. All certificates of completion are issued as a micro-credential.
Learning outcomes
Understanding the concept of relationality in different philosophical traditions
Understanding how a relational approach can shed new light on ethical questions
Applying a relational approach to a specific case related to water