What
is the Global Intimate?
The Global Intimate is a research
initiative that actively pursues the re-imagination of world politics today.
The collective was formed in 2013 by students and faculty from The New School (New York, NY) with a shared vision: to transform the foundation that underpins today's
international system by thinking creatively about world politics.
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We believe that in this historical moment, a paradigm
shift for international engagement is not only imperative- it is imminent. It is
critical that international relations theory and practice evolve from divisive
and coercive mentalities, towards a model of engagement that is holistic,
balanced and values human-flourishing above all else.
The Global Intimate utilizes alternative lenses to
examine world politics today. Instead of re-enforcing narratives of
self-interest, power politics, and divisions between public/private,
inside/outside and history/myth- this research initiative explores topics such
as food and the ancient Silk Road to re-imagine problem-solving in the
international arena. Our inquiries explore how these two entry points, food and the Silk
Road, offer an ethos where engagement between different cultures and
peoples occur without resort to conflict or domination. "Difference", in other words, should not always be associated with behaviors such as "exile" or "alienation". Rather, difference in today's international system offers a source of learning,
adaptation, absorption, circulation and co-constitution. The Global
Intimate, therefore, aims to re-position politics as a relational experience
for all.
Below is a clip on our beginnings (formerly called
"An Evening on the Silk Road"):
(To see more videos to learn about who we are, click on the Gallery tab on the top of this page.)
To
date, the momentum of The Global Intimate has been unprecedented. Recently, the
collective was invited to share its journey and findings at the 2015 annual
convening of the International Studies Association- the world's largest network
of scholars, practitioners and students in this field. Exposure to leading
academics and scholars in the field introduces the ideas of The Global Intimate in an official capacity to
educators of international relations students- present and future. The ripple
effect has already begun!
Support for The Global Intimate provides the
opportunity to ignite change in the way international relations is taught,
conceived of, and practiced. Its impact is not only on professional politicians-
its transformation reaches all of humanity in today's globalized world. The paradigm shift
continues here.
Horizons
& Activities
The
Global Intimate is evolving. Once a for-credit class, this research initiative
now seeks to share its exciting and creative ideas with the world. Support for The Global
Intimate will provide the following opportunities:
-
The Global South Caucus International Studies (GSCIS) Conference, Singapore, January 2015- Attendance for our team of 14 individuals to
present our findings and innovative concepts to the field's leading
scholars, practitioners and students.
-
Presentation at Jawarhalal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, January 2015- The Global Intimate has been invited to present a workshop at JNU, India's premier university. All local hospitality costs will be provided, however we need to provide our own airfare from Singapore following the GSCIS Conference.
-
Academic Research- Our group is committed to
researching, producing and disseminating cutting-edge concepts (like "difference without alienation" described above) to build a new future for
world politics. This includes the maintenance of our blog, continued
production of our documentary tracking the journey of this educational experiment,
publication of our papers into scholarly journals, and a book manuscript
that will serve as the foundation for future works.
-
Summer
2015 Community Short Course-
Learning about international relations is not only for registered students! In Summer 2015, The Global Intimate will be offering a summer
short course in partnership with The New School in New York, NY to
community members and anyone interested on how to think creatively about
international relations. This course is an adaptation of our sessions on
the Silk Road and food- sure to tantalize the appetites of all.
In the event that we do not raise enough funds to present our materials in Singapore and New Delhi, The Global Intimate will dedicate all funds to support the production and dissemination of the project documentary.
Other
Ways You Can Help
Learn more about us and help
spread the word! The Global Intimate is built on love for humanity and we will
not rest until our international system reflects this. Be a part of the
transformation by spreading the love in the following ways:
- Share our efforts and tell people
about The Global Intimate. We are here to make world politics interesting,
exciting, fun and sexy again!
- Visit and share the links to our sites below:
Facebook, YouTube & Silk Road WordPress!
- Be a part of the spark by
spreading the word about this campaign using the Indie Go-Go share tools
at the top of this page.
