We are excited to announce three upcoming Rakugo events taking place in Oxford and London (with some events streaming online, TBC). A master Rakugo performer will be travelling from Japan to perform, and there will also be Kobanashi performances from learners of Japanese all over the country and lectures from experts. Why not join us to discover a unique aspect of Japanese culture, gain new Japanese knowledge, and – most importantly – to laugh at some great stories.

This event is free but advance booking is required.

We have a full day of guest speakers with opportunities during the day for audience Q&A and discussion. If you can't join us in Oxford in person, participation through ZOOM webinars is possible, register for your personal ZOOM link at https://tinyurl.com/TSPNov24.

Topics include:
From Liberation to Opposition: The Rise and Fall of Hopes in South Sudan
A new Comprehensive Peace Plan is needed for Real Peace in South Sudan
Government of Technocrats as a Solution for Peace and Stability in the Republic of South Sudan
Elections and Ending the Transition Movement

Tanaka Denjiro VII was born as the youngest of three brothers in 1977 into a family with strong musical traditions. He made his stage debut at the age of three in the Noh play Tamura and assumed his current stage name in 1994. He has performed on various prominent kabuki stages across Japan as well as overseas in London, Paris, New York, Singapore, and Rome. Apart from performing in staged productions, he actively engages in composing music for new and revival kabuki repertoires.

Bio:

Abstract:

This talk delves into the decolonization of museum spaces by centering Indigenous narratives. For too long, museums have treated Indigenous artifacts as static objects, detached from their origins. I aim to restore life to these collections, weaving in ancestral wisdom, personal stories, and community connections.

Join us for the Good Natured Conservation Optimism Short Film Festival, an evening of inspiring and empowering stories from across the natural world.
Conservation Optimism presents an evening of inspiring and empowering stories from across the natural world

In the face of environmental erosion and human negligence, it is all too easy to regard our planet with despair. But nestled amongst the prevailing stories of loss and destruction, there are inspiring stories of regeneration — of communities who nurture the planet, and who benefit from it in turn.

Gerard Toal is Professor of Government and International Affairs at Virginia Tech's School of Public and International Affairs. Gerard is the author of Near Abroad: Putin, the US and the Contest for Ukraine and the Caucasus (OUP, 2017) and the co-author of Bosnia Remade: Ethnic Cleansing and Its Reversal (OUP, 2011). He is centrally associated with the platform of critical geopolitics. You will find more information on his latest book here:
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/oceans-rise-empires-fall-9780197693261?cc=gb&lang=en&
Followed by a drinks reception

Hear from our speakers about their paper exploring a multidimensional measure for energy poverty in Colombia. This paper presents a multidimensional energy poverty index at departmental level for Colombia using the Alkire and Foster method. The approach implies a broader notion of well-being that keeps attention on what people can be or do with access to energy. The access and quality of energy sources are enablers of some basic functionings or achievements of people.

In this seminar we will explore the gaps in approaches to understanding the relationship between racialisation and energy use in the UK. By sharing our experiences from two projects that have attempted to understand how racialisation affects energy use in the UK, we will share insights on avenues for future research, as well as reflect on the approaches and methods that can make such research less extractive and more respectful to the research participants. We will also discuss what this means for the current state of energy justice research.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 16% of the world's population lives with a disability, with a significant number living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Persons with disabilities face higher levels of social and economic exclusion, limiting their participation and reducing their opportunities. Despite the urgent need for comprehensive data, there is a lack of studies assessing the levels of multidimensional poverty of households with children with disabilities across a wide range of countries.