The 19th International Biennial Symposium on Literature and Culture in the Asian-Pacific Region on “Literature and the Non-Human: Abrogating the Anthropocene” organised by the Department of English.
Aligarh : The Anthropocene denotes the current geological age in which human activity has a dominant influence on climate and environment. This is a phenomenon that has already been measured and verified across disciplines. The earth has entered an entirely new geological epoch. Humans and the non-human (living form) have been impacted by the numerous outcomes of the Anthropocentric activities.
To address this burning issue around the globe, the 19th International Biennial Symposium on Literature and Culture in the Asian-Pacific Region on “Literature and the Non-Human: Abrogating the Anthropocene” has been organised by the Department of English, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. The two-day (November 26-27) symposium is organised in hybrid mode by the Department of English, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.
In his welcome address, Prof. Mohammad Asim Siddqui spoke about the relevance of the topic and he also gave a brief introduction of the university and the Department of English with regard to its academic journey.
Prof. Sami Rafiq, the convener of the symposium, highlighted the significance of organising the conference on such a relevant theme. She said that the symposium would attempt to explore solutions to the complex outcomes of human activity on the planet.
The opening remarks were delivered by Prof. (Emeritus) Dennis Haskell, Founder, Asia-Pacific Organisation, from University of Western Australia, Australia. He pointed out that the climate crisis is a major issue facing all of us today, “no matter where we are in the world”. He elaborated the very idea how language could be used to provide effective solutions and how we can use it to appreciate nature. He also recited one of his poems entitled “Inland Sea”.
His opening remarks were followed by the launch event of an Anthology of poems, Woman in the Trees by Prof. Sami Rafiq, focussing on her association with nature and environment.
In his presidential remarks, Prof. Tariq Mansoor, Vice-Chancellor, A.M.U., Aligarh emphasised the importance of the issue of climate change and discussed how literature could play a vital role in addressing the environmental issues. “Writers and poets always make a mark,” he said. He gave the example of French Revolution and Indian Freedom Movement and talked about the valuable contribution of writers and philosophers. He urged young people to come forward and spread awareness in order to protect our environment. He pointed out that the “environment has no political boundaries. It is an issue of the world and this symposium is the need of the hour.”
Prof. Mohd. Gulrez Pro-Vice Chancellor, A.M.U., expressed his concern about the climate change. He said that it is a remarkable step by the Department of English towards encouraging and sensitizing people about such burning issues. He also deliberated upon the role of literature in bringing a renaissance in the world.
“The question is not just about how do we assume and situate ourselves and understand our positions vis a vis non-humans and other humans on this shared planet, but really, what does it mean to be human, how do we as a group or as a collective, manage to survive on this planet?” said Dr. Annu Jalais, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Krea University, Andhra Pradesh. She delivered the keynote address titled “Rethinking Indic Solidarities in the Anthropocene”. Dr. Jalais emphasised on the need of solidarity between human and non-human, going beyond the concept of human solidarity only. She said “We need to listen to the way the nature is trying to talk to us, to warn us and we need to rethink about our position in this ecosystem”. She also emphasised the need for creating awareness about the climate change.
Prof. Imtiaz Hasnain, Dean, Faculty of Arts, AMU, spoke on the importance of the conference. He said “We are living in a time of Anthropocene. It is now a lived reality for a vast majority of earth dwellers. The homo sapiens are the single most influential species of environmental and climatic destruction.” He suggested that we need to realize our inspirations and our aspirations without destroying the processes of ecosystems that keep life going. He emphasized on the need to come out of human-hubris, in order to help the world go on.