- Thursday 1 October
Narratives shape the way we understand ourselves, one another, and the world around us. Local stories play a central role in creating community, belonging, and hope, while global narratives can mobilize action across national borders. However, narratives can also contribute to maintaining unequal power relations and oversimplifying complex realities.
Drawing on Mette Fog Olwig’s new book, A Bit Too Simple: Narratives of Development, Sustainability and Climate Change, this session explores how narratives influence our understanding of development, sustainability, and climate action. Through short presentations and slam poetry, we will focus on the relationship between local stories and global metanarratives, and on how narratives can both create and challenge inequalities.
At the same time, the discussion looks toward the future: How can we develop new narratives that inspire hope, agency, and visions of more just and sustainable societies?
You will gain insight into the role of narratives in climate action and development, while experiencing how artistic and academic perspectives can open up new ways of understanding and communicating the possibilities of the future.
Participants
- Mette Fog Olwig, Researcher, Roskilde University, Denmark
- Conrad John Masabo, Researcher, Roskilde University and University of Dodoma, Tanzania
- Christine Fast Lisby, Slam Poet and Researcher, Roskilde University, Denmark
- Sven Johannesen, Editor-in-Chief, Globalnyt, Denmark
- Elena Adamo, Communication Officer, Danida Fellowship Centre, Denmark
Language: English
The session is presented by Roskilde University.