Teacher: Bart Klem

Time: 10:00 - 12:00 + 13:15 - 15:00

Place: K013 (Pilgatan, Haga)

In this simulation, we find ourselves in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka in January 2023 grappling with dynamics of a natural disaster in a conflict-torn society. Prior to the seminar, everyone will be allocated to a group (each of which represents one particular actor). The simulation comprises several steps, where your group will have time to discuss your positions and ideas and communicate them to the others.

Preparation:

You will find the detailed information to prepare on this separate page.

Apart from reading these, you are expected to prepare for the simulation by familiarizing yourself with the (eastern) Sri Lankan context, and with the natural disasters it is prone too (the 2004 tsunami, regular floods and cyclones). You can do this on the basis of your own knowledge and sources (e.g. by browsing the internet), and/or by having a look at some of the suggested reading below.

Active participation is a mandatory prerequisite for passing the course. If you are unable to attend a seminar, please submit this replacement.

Recommended readings:

Frerks, G. and B. Klem (2011) “Muddling the Peace Process: The Political Dynamics of the Tsunami, Aid and Conflict”, in J. Goodhand, B. Korf, and J. Spencer (eds) Conflict and Peacebuilding in Sri Lanka: Caught in the Peace Trap? pp. 168-182. London: Routledge.

Keen, D. (2014) “‘The camp’ and ‘the lesser evil’: humanitarianism in Sri Lanka,” Conflict, Security and Development, 14(1): 1-31.

Klem, B. (2014) “The Political Geography of War’s End: Territorialisation, Circulation, and Moral Anxiety in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka”, Political Geography, 38(1): 33-45.

Klem, B. (2020) “Sri Lanka in 2019: The Return of the Rajapaksas,” Asian Survey, 60(1): 1-8.

McGilvray, D. (2006) “Tsunami and civil war in Sri Lanka: An anthropologist confronts the real world”, Indian Review, 5(3-4): 372-93.

McGilvray, D. and M. Gamburd (2010)(eds) Tsunami Recovery in Sri Lanka. Ethnic and regional dimensions. London and New York: Routledge.

Nelson, Stephen (2015) “Myths of Katrina: Field Notes from a Geoscientist”, Minnesota Review, 2015(84): 60-68.

Padma, S. (2019) “Sri Lanka in 2018: Seeking a Way Forward,” Asian Survey, 59(1): 108–113.

Squires, Chester and Gregory Hartman (2007) There is No Such Thing as a Natural Disaster: Race, Class, and Hurricane Katrina. London: Routledge.

Telford, J., J. Cosgrave and R. Houghton (2006) Joint Evaluation of the International Response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami: Synthesis Report. London: Tsunami Evaluation Coalition.

Walton, O. (2008) “Conflict, peacebuilding and NGO legitimacy: National NGOs in Sri Lanka”, Journal of Conflict, Development and Security, 8(1): 133-167.