Research into Climate Change and Democracy in Fiji

Tags

climate change, Fiji, Public Theology

I have been invited to deliver a conference paper at the triennial consultation of the Global Network for Public Theology in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The conference dates are 24-26 October 2016.

The theme of their meeting is “Democracy and Social Justice in Glocal Contexts“. The details of my proposed paper are:

PAPER TITLE

Public Theology in the Context of Climate Change and Fiji’s Unchanging State of Exception

ABSTRACT

Applying the theory of the “state of exception” from Carl Schmitt and Giorgio Agamben to Fijian public life, this paper examines whether the crisis of climate change facing this island nation could strengthen the case for the Fijian government’s current state of exception to the detriment of constitutional democracy.

Following democratic elections in 2014, the international community once again recognizes Fiji as formally democratic. Yet the constitution sometimes finds itself overruled in favour of decrees made by the government of former coup-maker and elected Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama. In this way, Fiji public life lies suspended in a “state of exception” between democracy and dictatorship.

Fiji is also facing the effects of climate change, which may include sea-level rise, more devastating cyclones, and lessened food security. In February 2016, Fiji was hit by Tropical Cyclone Winston, which claimed 44 lives and destroyed more than 40,000 homes. In the wake of Winston, the government declared a temporary state of emergency and imposed curfews. This paper investigates whether the ongoing and increasing threat of climate change to Fiji may reinforce or strengthen the exceptional nature of Fijian political life, giving further reasons for additional decrees and the continued denial of full democratic rule.

Finally, the paper will examine what prospects there are for public theology in this political atmosphere. Some people see climate change as something that only states can deal with adequately and are willing to give the state increased power to do so. Public theology might suggest that the issue of climate illustrates state failure and offers great potential for the church, as a leading actor in Fijian society, to do public theology in such a way that deals with climate also as a faith issue, and in this way decentralize the Fijian response to this threat.

Support Me

If you would like to support this research then I have a page where you can make a donation toward my expenses to present this research.

Child Poverty in New Zealand Seminar (8 May 2013)

Save the Children New Zealand in association with the Waiwhetu Uniting Church

is delighted to present a Seminar on

Child Poverty in New Zealand

Hear leading experts and commentators discuss a significant issue facing New Zealand society today.

7.30 pm, Wednesday, 8 May 2013

at the Waiwhetu Uniting Church, 6 Trafalgar Street (cnr Grenville & Trafalgar Sts) Waiwhetu, Lower Hutt

[Phone 04 569 5338 or 04 569 9635 for further information]

---

PROGRAMME

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Opening remarks by the Chair, Arthur Davis, Immediate Past-President, Save the Children NZ
3. Deborah Morris-Travers, Manager of EveryChild Counts, an organisation committed to the well-being of children in New Zealand
4. Jonathan Boston, Co-Chair of the Children’s Commissioner’s Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty in New Zealand, who will outline the Group’s findings and recommendations
5. A Local Solution? A Community Project at one Lower Hutt School in response to this issue – Julia Milne, and Bunnie Willing, Principal, Epuni School

There will be opportunity for questions and comments after each speaker

Supper, and an opportunity to discuss the issues

A Koha to defray expenses, and donations for work in New Zealand supported by Save the Children, would be appreciated

PDF version of this flyer and programme: Child Poverty Event Programme May2013

Global Institute of Theology (2010)

John Calvin

I have been selected to attend the second Global Institute of Theology (GIT) in June 2010. I will be representing the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ).

“The GIT will be a place of exposure to the local context and of reflection through a series of courses. It is also a great opportunity to build up an ecumenical leadership for the future,” said Douwe Visser, executive secretary for Theology and Ecumenical Engagement for the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC).

GIT is organized by the Office for Theology and Ecumenical Engagement of the WARC. This will most likley be the last thing they do as they are forming a new body, combining with the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) to form a new body called the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC). This will represent more than 80 million Reformed Christians worldwide. I will be at the Uniting General Council to witness the merger.

The GIT will be held in Chicago and Grand Rapids in June 2010. The academic partners will be McCormick Seminary in Chicago and Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids. I will be the only Kiwi going and only one of two from the South Pacific. I’m also one of two from Scotland. In total 70 students from member churches will be there with more than half from the “Global South”.

The GIT will be run by an international faculty of renowned academic theologians. The core course will on the theme of the Uniting General Council: “Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”. And there will be the following four elective courses:

• Intercultural Theology
• New Directions in Mission for the 21st century
• Reading the Bible in Context
• Theology and Mission of the Church in the Americas

This fantastic opportunity doesn’t come cheap, however. I have no funding for this event, except for a slight discount from the organisers. The PCANZ hadn’t budgeted for this and neither did I. So, if you know of any people or organisations that wish to support young theologians, Reformed theology, and ecumenism, then let me know.

Readers can of course support me for this, and my studies in general, in the usual ways listed here:
http://www.rad.net.nz/886.0.html

If you are wondering who I am, or have forgotten, I’m doing a PhD in political theology at the University of Edinburgh. I’m a PCANZ-supported scholar, with funding primarily from the Council of World Mission and PCANZ. I’m also an Elder of the PCANZ, and a member of St Andrew’s on The Terrace, Wellington. When in Edinburgh I attend Greyfriars Kirk.

Some Links for Further Information:

• The Global Institute of Theology
• PCANZ on WARC
• Global Institute of Theology offered in 2010

Conferences in Politics and Theology

There are two conferences coming up which look exciting:

The 2008 Conference on the Bible and Justice
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/bibs/bibleandjustice
29 May – 1 June, 2008
University of Sheffield

The 2008 Conference on Bible and Justice will bring together scholars from around the world to explore how the ancient texts of the Bible can play an active role in addressing twenty-first century social concerns. The purpose of the conference is to foster discussion about the relevance of the Bible to modern social issues, and promote bridges between the academic field of biblical studies and the various endeavours for a just world.

The Conference Will Focus On Three Main Areas:

• Human Rights
• Economic Justice
• Environmental Justice

Keynote Speakers Are:

• Stanley Hauerwas, Duke University
• Timothy Gorringe, University of Exeter
• John Rogerson, University of Sheffield (Emeritus)

Society for the Study of Theology Conference 2008: Theology and Politics
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/thrs/sst/booking.html

St John’s College, Durham
31 March – 3 April 2008

John Milbank: provisional paper title: Paul and Politics;
Oliver O’Donovan: Romulus’s City
György Geréby: provisional paper title: Medieval Political Theology;
Scott Thomas: provisional paper title: Religion and International Relations;
Tina Beattie: provisional paper title: Theology of Human Rights
Charles Matthewes: provisional paper title: On Political Theology After The End of History