Drinking bottles, food wrappers and grocery bags are common types of plastic found in the Philippines: on the roadside, in drains, on the beach and in the ocean. In fact, the Philippines is one of the world’s biggest contributors to plastic pollution in the oceans. How is plastic related to purchasing power, consumerist and lifestyle values, and to urbanization? What are the consequences of plastic-wastes especially for riverine and coastal communities? These and many other questions will be discussed with experts on site, in the Philippines.
This Summer School is a joined project between Aiducation International and the Swiss Study Foundation. It will take place in Manila (Philippines) and look at (micro) plastic use, pollution and management from different perspectives by considering the social, economic and environmental aspects of it. Working in interdisciplinary groups composed of students from the Philippines and Switzerland greatly adds to the diversity of viewpoints, but also requires the participants to overcome taken-for-granted, ethnocentric views in order to discuss things from a differentiated and anthropological viewpoint. Students will spend much time in discussions in various settings, go on at least one excursion and, if possible, hold a focus group discussion with the local community; it is our goal to keep touch points to the real world challenges without losing the view for the bigger picture. Participants will also attend lectures given by invited experts from various fields. At the end of the summer school, students are expected to present findings of their group works in a power point presentation and in a short blog article. Preceding the Summer School there will be a preparatory 1-day event in the country of residence to familiarise students with the respective other culture (Philippine, Swiss). Participation at the preparatory event is a prerequisite for participation at the Summer School.
Leaders: Prof. Dr. Bettina Beer*, Professor of Ethnology (University of Lucerne)
Sara Dürr, MA in Social and Cultural Anthropology
Solvie Noula Lee, Director of Pathways to Higher Education
John Luis D. Lagdameo, Director of International Relations (Ataneo University)
*involved in the planning but not present on site
Coordination: Iris Schuler (Schweizerische Studienstiftung)
Barbara Dankwa (Schweizerische Studienstiftung)
Matthias Meier (Aiducation Switzerland)
Administration: Nathalie Ellington
Dates: Sunday, 28th July – Wednesday, 7th August 2019 (Summer School) / Friday, 14th June 2019 (Preparatory Event)
Location: Summer School: Ateneo University in Manila, International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) in Silang; Preparatory Event: in Lucerne and in Manila, respectively
Working Language: English
Participants: 15 Swiss and 15 Filipino students. To ensure similar age ranges between the two groups, Swiss students in their Bachelor studies have priority.
Costs: 600 CHF
Preparatory reading: A reader will be provided prior to the course.
Further remarks: Insurance and sufficient medical cover (incl. precautionary measures such as vaccinations) is the participants’ own responsibility. Students travelling to the Philippines will have to organize the visa themselves. Inform yourself well ahead of time if you need a visa (nationals of 151 countries including Switzerland do not need one for a stay up to 30 days).
