Description:

The overarching topic of the congress is Nationalism, populism, and identities: contemporary challenges. In the global context, the growth of nationalism and populism is one of the greatest challenges facing not only Europe but also North and South America and the Asia Pacific. This can be a destructive force if it means that states retreat into an isolationist mindset and away from effective multilateral solutions to perceived cross-border problems.

Nationalism is a form of identity politics and is not to be assumed to be always a negative force. However, the increasing tendency towards radical nationalism and in turn exclusionist populism, even when presented as nationalism, constitutes a major challenge to democracy and the rule of law. Populism can undermine trust in institutions and give rise to intolerance within society. Within the European context, and in addition to the broader international context, there are specific, disturbing populist trends in the EU and the EU’s focus has inevitably turned more strongly towards a number of internal challenges which might pose a serious challenge to the EU’s central aims and its adherence to fundamental rights.

A form of nationalism or identity politics is also discernible in the movement in Europe for more devolved powers or for secession and independence. A related question is whether opportunities for devolved administrations on the international stage might provide a dynamic alternative to independence, whether on their own or in conjunction with purely national or sub-regional measures.

Finally, the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the greatest economic and health crisis seen in 100 years. Within the EU and beyond it, emergency powers have been used to close borders unilaterally and to restrict people movement on the ground of protection of public health. The problems over the EU’s Covid-19 rescue packages evidenced at the Council meeting in July 2020 have exposed severe fault lines in EU solidarity, leading some commentators to question the future of the common European project.

The congress is organized under the following topics of discussion, for which working groups of relevant experts have been organized to draft the pertinent papers.

The program below corresponds to the first day of the congress, April 4th.
You can see the complete program in the following link.

On the first afternoon, the Congress will be opened. The initial focus will be on the analysis of the main challenges of climate change, including proposals to address those challenges. There will be a separate discussion on Impact of nationalist/ populist policies on the funding of South American pension schemes: the current status quo and proposals for reform. The day will conclude with a high-level keynote speech on the Sri Lankan experience in respect of the climate change issues.

12.30pm – 14.00pm : Welcome Lunch

14.30pm – 15.00pm : Congress Registration.

15.00pm – 16.30pm : Plenary session- Panel discussion

Net-zero will need huge investment, new technology, support for developing countries, and to overcome the blocking tactics of populists. How optimistic should we be?

Speakers to be confirmed

Panel led by: Derrick Wyatt QC, Emeritus Professor of Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford, Emeritus Fellow of St Edmund Hall, Oxford and formerly a member of Brick Court Chambers, London. Member of Fide⿿s International Academic Council.

16.30pm – 17.00pm : Tea / Coffee The Bastion

17.00pm – 18.00pm : Plenary session- Panel discussion

Impact of nationalist/ populist policies on the funding of South American pension schemes: the current status quo and proposals for reform

Speakers to be confirmed

Panel led by Ángel Martínez-Aldama, President of INVERCO

18.00-18.45: Keynote speaker – HE Saroja Sirisena, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom

Topic: Sri Lankan experience of climate change issues

19.15-19.30: Jesus College Hall

19.30-21.15: Welcome Dinner

Congress Directors:

Cristina Jiménez: President of Fide Foundation
Christopher Muttukumaru: Barrister, Bencher of Gray´s Inn and Chair of the International Academic Council

Congress Coordinators:

Victoria Dal Lago: Academic Coordinator, Fide Foundation
Cristina Arribas: Co-coordinator, Fide Foundation

Methodology: The dynamic of the Congress will respect the usual rules of Fide and the participation and interaction of the speakers and attendees as well, making only the changes required for its celebration on line. All sessions organized at Fide are convened under the Chatham House Rule, participants have the right to use the information they receive, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of any other participant may be revealed

Date and place: The congress will be held on 4th, 5th, and 6th April, at the Jesus College, Oxford.

Language: English.

Registration fee: 800€, including lunches, coffees, and dinners during the Congress, documentation, assistance, and support for the arrangements related to the accommodation and transport. Members of Fide may benefit from a 5% discount.

Travel and transfers to Oxford and accommodations are not included in this registration fee.

Registration: To register you can contact us on the following e-mails:

• Victoria Dal Lago: victoria.dallago@thinkfide.com
• Cristina Arribas: cristina.arribas@thinkfide.com
• Ana de Santiago: ana.desantiago@thinkfide.com

You can find the program for the following days here:

• Oxford Congress 2022: Nationalism, populism, and identities: contemporary challenges – April 5th
• Oxford Congress 2022: Nationalism, populism, and identities: contemporary challenges – April 6th

Schedule: The session will be held from 12.30 to 9.15 pm using the online platform Microsoft Teams.
The time shown is adjusted to the time zone of the United Kingdom. To check your time zone difference, please visit this link: www.timeanddate.com.

* Check registration conditions.