Solidarity and the Political – Feminist thinking and the needs of today

What are the political aspects concerning solidarity? Solidarity is one of the six principles of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. But what is solidarity and how does it foster or hinder cooperation between oneself and the other? The Oxford dictionary tells us that solidarity describes a state of physical and political organisation, as well as a feeling. 

British philosopher Timothy Morton works on solidarity and climate change. According to him, solidarity goes against the fundamental and traumatic fissure between reality and the real, and as such it proposes an ontological basis that goes against dominant Western philosophy. How to create a solidarity that does not violate the other? How can we think the openness of hospitality, without losing the identity of the one that invites? And how are we to invite the other, what kind of relationship do we presuppose in that invitation? How do we create the political in solidarity?

What does solidarity mean when teaching? Is solidarity possible in Hannah Arendt’s ‘political realm’? How does this relate to the black feminist movement, and the call for solidarity on ”mainstream” feminism: what is the critique and how is solidarity achieved? And with regard to nature and in bioethics: how does solidarity function in the discourse of climate change?

The symposium will take place online. There will be a two-day symposium, plus several satellite events, organised by our study circle. There will also be many more events and symposia organised during the whole month of October by the Nordic Summer University.

To continue the exploration of the concepts of solidarity, you’re welcome to send in an application for one or more of the following:

• Presenter during the online symposium (23-24 October) 
  • Paper presentation. You will be asked to send in a (draft) paper beforehand, so that two people can prepare a (10 minute) response in hospitality and solidarity. You will be also asked to prepare a similar response to one or two assigned paper(s) from (an)other participant(s).
    Presenters are able to submit their paper to a special issue published by open access, peer reviewed journal Open Philosophy. Submissions will be accepted between the 1st of October until 15th of November. There is a fee of 500 euro upon acceptance. We can help you apply for funding. 
  • Idea presentation. You will be able to present ideas for discussion during max. 10 minutes, after which the audience can respond and ask questions. This is not for reading out a ready manuscript but a free form of collaboration.
• Participant during the online symposium (23-24 October)
  You’re very welcome to join as listener and participant during the online symposium. Please let us know if you’d like to be a respondent to one of the papers or not (totally optional).
• Other
  We’re always open to exploring new and experimental formats of co-creation, co-exploration and co-operation. In the past we have read feminist science fiction together through Zoom, we have read ancient Greek plays on beaches around the world, and we’re very open to your ideas. These can take place any time during the month of October, during the 2-day symposium or before or after the symposia. Please send in your suggestions and a short description of how you want to collaborate with us on making it happen!

Send in your answer to our call no later than 15.09.2021!

hospitality.solidarity [at] gmail.com