Join Our Lecture on “Social Justice and Democracy: How the Marginalised Community Perceives Development”

Are you curious to understand how marginalised communities perceive development, particularly in relation to the mining industry? We invite you to join our thought-provoking online lecture "Social Justice and Democracy: How the Marginalised Community Perceives Development" featuring Dr Souvik Lal Chakraborty from Monash University. The lecture will occur on Monday, 14 August 2023, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Jakarta time.

The global mining industry has long been a subject of scrutiny for anti-corporate activists due to its substantial environmental and social impacts, affecting marginalised communities. In 2020, Indonesia's Coal and Mineral Mining Law sparked protests from civil society organisations as the law removes size limits on mining operations and allows automatic permit extensions of up to 20 years, raising concerns about deforestation and benefits for major private companies. Given the changes and potential impacts that follow, mining companies may soon need to revisit their licensing, business structures, and operational practices to ensure that they fully comply with the law to benefit the local population.

Similarly, India's Niyamgiri Mountains witnessed an anti-mining movement led by the Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti, which achieved a favourable verdict granting village councils the power to decide on mining in 2013. While primarily led by marginalised communities, the movement has garnered significant support from other activists, including renowned intellectuals.

This online lecture delves into how scholars have framed the movement using a theoretical approach to social movements. It delves into the framing's impact on the movement's development and outcomes. Dr Chakraborty's analysis draws from geographical and political ontology literature, unveiling the spatial processes of "framing the pluriverse" to comprehend the intricate complexities of the social movement. The lecture sheds light on the struggles and brings them to the forefront of the discussion, incorporating relevant examples from Indonesia to foster a comprehensive understanding of the movement's challenges and significance.

To all graduates and scholars of Australian tertiary institutions from Indonesia who wish to participate in this event, please RSVP by Thursday, 10 August, using the following link. You can click here for more detailed information about the online lecture and the speaker, Dr Souvik Lal Chakraborty. We look forward to your valuable presence and engagement in this enlightening session.