Event Report and Photos: 2014 Carr Student Conference

07 April 2014

 

Photo collections and Storify web story of the 2014 E. H. Carr Student conference

 

 

Event report of the 2014 Carr Student Conference

On the 22nd of March 2014, the E.H. Carr Student Conference was held for the second time in the Main Hall of the International Politics Department at Aberystwyth University. This year’s topic, ‘The Arab-Israeli Conflict’ and the event itself attracted a large number of attendees; including lecturers of the International Politics Department, undergraduate and postgraduate students and even visitors from outside the University. As part of the conference, three guest speakers from London and three undergraduate students from the Department offered to share their knowledge with those who wanted to learn more about the enduring conflict.

After all the guests and attendees have arrived to the Main Hall at ten’o clock in the morning on Saturday, Dr Jennifer Mathers formally opened the conference. Following the opening remarks of Dr James Vaughan, the first panel of the conference opened with the thought-provoking presentations given by two guest speakers. First, Matthew Lower from the Humanitarian Intervention Centre (HIC) delivered his presentation on Western interventionism in the Middle East and its impact upon the Arab-Israeli conflict, with particular focus on the question of human rights; an issue that prompted many insightful questions from the audience. The second guest speaker of the day was Andras Lederer, a former undergraduate student of the International Politics Department, who is now studying at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. Andras’s presentation offered an alternative philosophical approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict and to conflict management in general. Both presentations generated waves of questions and comments from the audience, making the work of the organisers of adhering to the planned schedule all the more difficult.

Above: 2014 Carr Student conference, Matthew Lower from the Humanitarian Intervention Centre answering a question after his presentation


Following a short break, two undergraduate students from the International Politics Department, Gregory Beckett and Alex Parslov delivered their presentations. Gregory approached the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through his vision of “peace through prosperity” and outlined a possible solution that would enable both sides to end their struggle and create a brighter future. In turn, Alex’s insightful presentation outlined a detailed “one-state” peace proposal plan for Israel and Palestine that covered a wide range of areas that would demand attention; such as the judiciary system, the newborn state’s flag and even sport diplomacy that could facilitate cooperation and bring the two sides closer together.

After enjoying the magnificent buffet lunch provided by the Arts Centre, the attendees and speakers returned to the Main Hall where the organisers were already busy preparing to start the second panel of the day. The first presentation was delivered by Glyn Secker from Jews for Justice for Palestinians (JFJP), who spoke on the experiences and history of Jewish people throughout the centuries. The second presentation of the afternoon was given by Frederick Mackereth, an undergraduate student studying International Politics at the university who spent a month travelling through Israel and the surrounding areas. To the joy of the audience, Frederick also showed pictures he had taken in Palestinian refugee camps and Israeli settlements; showing the life of the locals as he had seen it during the time he spent in Ramallah, Jericho, Hebron and Betlehem.

The conference concluded by a lively discussion among the presenters and the attendees, during which everyone was given the chance to ask any remaining questions. At the end of the day, the conference was a huge success and lived up to the expectations of the organisers, the speakers and the audience. The generous contributions of the David Davies Memorial Institute, the International Politics Department and the Department of Law and Criminology enabled the organisers to create an event that gained recognition throughout the university and attracted the interest of many who wished to further familiarise themselves with the Arab-Israeli conflict and the international politics of the Middle East. The organising team sincerely hopes that the success of the 2014 E.H. Carr Student Conference will encourage undergraduate students to carry on their work next year and further prove that a group of enthusiastic and hard-working students can create an event that contributes to the good reputation of the International Politics Department.
 

Above: 2014 Carr Student conference, Gregory Beckett, Aberystwyth University undergraduate student presenter, making points during a general discussion