Development researchers' lunch with Regnar Albæk Kristensen
Poverty, corruption, crime, and ideas of family unity in Mexico by Assistant professor, Regnar Albæk Kristensen. Join us for his presentation, networking and a sandwich.
The potential for economic development in Mexico and Latin America is often discussed in relationship to geographical and demographical conditions, politics, poverty, corruption, and the actual crime situation; however, how do the latter parameters relate to cultural values? Why are the cartels and gangs in Mexico named ‘The family’, ‘The Union’, or ‘The federation’ rather than ‘Bloods’ or ‘Hells Angels’? In Regnar Kristensen’s research among Mexican criminals he finds the emphasis on union is no coincident. In the presentation he will take a closer view on the popular Catholic values of family unity in Mexico and relate it to the current crime and political situation. The discussion will be focusing on the influence that a cultural idea of unity can have on development in general.
Registration: Please email development@adm.ku.dk before 19 March 2014.
All interested researchers from UNCPH or other universities are welcome.
The University’s Working Group for Development (WG-Development) has decided to sponsor a number of development researchers’ lunches where researchers in the development field will be given the possibility of networking.
The University of Copenhagen hosts an impressive array of development research and has a good number of internationally recognised research groups that form parts of widespread international networks. It is the aim of the initiative that by getting to know each other’s research areas, this can facilitate synergy across disciplines and enhance the possibilities of interdisciplinary research. This is in many cases essential for successful applications for external funding.
The set-up:
Every lunch will be preceded by a general presentation/discussion followed by a short break before we continue to a sandwich lunch sponsored by WG-Development. Even if you are unable to attend the presentation/discussion, you are very welcome to attend the lunch.
Time:
The general presentation/discussion begins at 11:30 am and ends by 12:15 pm. The lunch begins at 12:15 and ends at 13:00 pm. We will be very strict with regards to keeping this schedule; meaning that if you arrive for the lunch at 12:15 pm you will not feel that you are crashing into a formal presentation/discussion.
Frequency:
We will, as a rule, organise one lunch on the third Thursday in every month. If there is a particular interest in ‘ad hoc lunches’ – for instance to meet with interesting guests who are visiting the University – we will also be happy to organise this.
Language:
Presentations and general discussions will be conducted in either English or Danish.
Need to sign up before the lunch:
WG-Development is sponsoring sandwiches, soft-drinks and coffee/tea so we need to have a fair idea about the number of participants. Therefore, please sign up for the lunch. If, however, you have not signed up, we would still be happy to see you at the lunches!
Specialised lunches:
If an inter-disciplinary group of development researchers want to jointly pursue a specific theme (eg. work on a research funding application or discuss a specific research theme), WG-Development may also be willing to sponsor these lunches.
We look forward to seeing you.
The University of Copenhagen Working Group for Development;
Professor, Head of Department Niels Elers Koch, chairman
Professor Esther Fihl, representative from the Faculty of Humanities
Professor Morten Broberg, representative from the Faculty of Law
Professor Andreas de Neergaard, representative from the Faculty of Science
Professor Finn Tarp, representative from the Faculty of Social Sciences
Professor Flemming Konradsen, representative from the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Associate Professor Stig Jensen, representative from the Faculty of Theology