ELIZABETH HARRISON

The political project of reasserting feminist engagement with development has proceeded uneasily in recent years. This book examines how the arguments of feminist researchers have often become depoliticised by development institutions and offers richly contextualised accounts of the pitfalls and compromises of the politics of engagement. Speaking from within academic institutions, social movements, development bureaucracies and national and international NGOs, the contributors highlight on-going battles for interpretation and the unequal power relations within which these battles take place. They engage with the challenges of achieving solidarity in the context of increasingly polarised geo-political relations, and advance a diversity of critiques of simplified ideas about gender, and how these ideas come to be interpreted in institutional policies and practices.

Christmas-Tide gathers a rare assemblage of narratives that span the rich tapestry of Christmas traditions and moral reflections, encompassing both the familiar warmth of Charles Dickens festive storytelling and the innovative educational theories of Elizabeth Harrison. This anthology delicately balances the evocative nostalgia of Victorian Christmas with the pioneering insights into childhood development and education during the holiday season. Highlighting the diversity and significance of its contents, Christmas-Tide showcases remarkable pieces that, while distinct in literary style, collectively underscore the broader themes of generosity, empathy, and the transformative power of the holiday spirit within both personal and communal spheres. The contributing authors, Charles Dickens and Elizabeth Harrison, bring to this collection an intriguing mix of backgrounds that enrich its thematic explorations. Dickens, renowned for his vivid portrayals of Victorian life and its complexities, and Harrison, a pioneering educator and advocate for the kindergarten movement in America, both contribute profoundly to the historical and cultural tapestry of the anthology. Through their works, Christmas-Tide aligns with broader literary and educational movements of their times, offering a nuanced exploration of Christmas traditions and their impacts on society and individual growth. Christmas-Tide is recommended for those wishing to immerse themselves in the depth and diversity of Christmas narratives. The anthology provides a unique opportunity to explore a multiplicity of perspectives on a universally cherished holiday, showcasing the educational and reflective potential of these seasonal stories. As readers delve into the collection, they will find themselves engaged in an enriching dialogue between the festive tales of Dickens and Harrisons visionary educational philosophies, offering both entertainment and profound insights into the spirit of Christmas.