Jointly organized by the Asia Research Institute and Department of Geography, National University of Singapore.
CHAIRPERSON
Dr Erica M. Larson, Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
ABSTRACT
Deep in the Philippine highlands, upland peoples are caught in political struggles over lands, livelihoods, and beliefs. But unlike ‘conventional’ conflicts, the biopolitical forces shaping their future aren’t necessarily from governments or corporations—they’re diverse conservation actors and Christian missionaries working patiently and persistently to align uplander lives with contrasting notions of modernity.
This talk explores how, in the absence of the state, a growing number of conservation actors and evangelical missions converge in their motives and practices to reform the lives and livelihoods of uplanders in the mountains of southern Palawan, gradually undermining Indigenous sovereignty. Tracing these actors’ histories and contemporary biopolitical strategies, this talk examines ethnographically how upland peoples’ social relations and material culture mediate diverse forms of subjugation, alignment, and resistance amidst overlapping place-based interventions.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Wolfram Dressler is Professor of Geography at The University of Melbourne. He researches the politics of conservation and development in the Philippines and Indonesia, with a focus on agrarian change and livelihood security on Palawan Island.
REGISTRATION
Registration is closed, and instructions on how to participate in this hybrid talk has been sent out to registered attendees. Please write to ziqi@nus.edu.sg if you would like to attend the event.
