This roundtable seeks to put in conversation Blue Humanities from around the world, exploring how literature, cultural texts, and film can inform, reveal, or create new ideological perspectives on water. Informed by Blue Humanities, as well as a global movement to protect water’s right to flow and be free from pollution (Ecuador Constitution of 2008: Rights of Nature, Policy Brief: Water rights in Chile, Canada Water Act of 1985, among others), this timely roundtable connects directly with NeMLA’s 58th Annual Convention theme of Empowering Communities. As the theme specifies, cultural knowledge serves as a source of empowerment, and literature, cultural texts, and film are primary ways that cultural knowledge is shared amongst communities. These cultural artifacts can be powerful, informing the public, bringing together younger and older generations, and inspiring people to take action, conserving water, protecting its right to be free from pollutants, and reminding us all that we live, together, on the Blue Planet.

This roundtable explores stories that empower communities to protect water’s right to flow. How literature, film, and cultural texts inform or reveal ideological perspectives from around the world and how those stories connect with political action are of great interest. We invite (among others) presentations related to the transnational exploration of Blue Humanities, with a particular interest in the intersection of literature, ideology, and policy making.

Modality: Hybrid: The session will be held in-person but a few remote presentations may be included.

Primary and Secondary Area: World Literatures (non-European Languages) / Spanish/Portuguese

Submit at https://cfplist.com/nemla/Home/S/22449