RV University hosts Six-Day Conference ‘EKOLOGOS’ on Environmental Narratives and Sustainability

Bengaluru, December 26, 2024: The School of Film, Media, and Creative Arts (SoFMCA) at RV University successfully hosted a six-day international conference, EKOLOGOS, a global environmental humanities initiative, from 12 to 17 December 2024. The event brought together scholars, practitioners, and students to engage in critical conversations about environmental narratives, sustainability, and the role of humanities in addressing global ecological challenges.

Ekologos is a collaborative project funded by the Norwegian Agency for International Cooperation and Quality Enhancement in Higher Education, coordinated by UiT The Arctic University of Norway; the Institute of Marine Research, Norway; the State University of Campinas UNICAMP, Brazil; RV University, Bangalore; and the Highland Institute, Nagaland.

Ekologos engages pedagogically with the critical climate changes affecting the Arctic, South America, South Asia, and Himalayan regions. Through student and staff exchanges, and collaborative research initiatives, it aims to critically engage and amplify the voices of local and indigenous communities, and those who are disproportionately impacted by climate change.

On the successful completion of this conference, Prof. (Dr.) Piyush Roy, Dean, SoFMCA commented, “As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering collaborative learning and research, a group of RVU students and faculty partnered with colleagues from The Kohima Institute during the summer of 2024. This collaboration facilitated student and research exchanges while contributing to the creation of films, publications, and allied documentation aimed at broader dissemination of the project’s insights. In December 2024, we successfully hosted Ekologos 2024 on our Bengaluru campus for the first time in Karnataka. This six-day event featured keynote speeches, documentary screenings on environmental issues, panel discussions, paper presentations, a field trip to Srirangapatna, and a cultural programme organised by the students of SoFMCA.”

He further added, “The project is built on four thematic pillars: pedagogy, research, documentation of ecological practices, and dissemination of knowledge. At its core are creative and intercultural exchanges of wisdom and experiences, which enrich the participating institutions globally. We aim to cultivate a community of dedicated professionals and students who will advocate for environmental sustainability and explore the complex relationships between humans and nature.”

On the valedictory day, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar, Vice Chancellor, RV University said, "Filmmaking is more than just an art, it is a powerful lens through which we bring light to the unseen, amplify the voices of the marginalised and underprivileged common people, and ignite the creative spirit in young minds. It is a journey that starts with an idea and evolves into a medium that can influence hearts and minds of millions and transform the society. At RV University, we stand committed to fostering this spirit of storytelling and creativity, cinematography, photography etc., empowering our students to not just create films, but to create impact on the society; highlighting the beauty of diverse cultures, addressing the pressing issues of our time, and inspiring humanity to dream, innovate, and walk together in unison. Through the collaborative efforts of passionate professionals and global partnerships, we aim to use the art of filmmaking to change perspectives, views, bridge the gaps, and serve the greater purpose of humanity."

The conference featured several thought-provoking keynote addresses, including:
•    Stories of the Earth: Exploring Environmental Narratives in Media and Literature.
•    Sustainability in Graduate Education: Empowering Future Leaders for Global Impact, delivered by a renowned strategy consultant.
•    The Fellowship of Tranquility: The Poet and His Child Philosopher.
•    Ekologos: Towards a Global Environmental Humanities.
In addition to the keynote sessions, the event included diverse activities:
•    Screenings of documentary films focusing on environmental themes.
•    Paper presentations by research scholars on topics such as Ethics and Practices of Ethnographic Research.
•    Panel discussions on emerging research pedagogies in environmental humanities.
•    A hands-on workshop on embodied practices, encouraging participants to explore the relationship between body, movement, and storytelling in the context of environmental narratives.

The conference served as a platform for intellectual exchange and collaboration, fostering dialogue on how the humanities can contribute to sustainable futures. Participants expressed their enthusiasm for EKOLOGOS's unique blend of academic rigor and creative engagement.