As part of Mann Library’s Sustainable Fashion programming for the month of April, the Cornell and Ithaca area public are warmly invited to a screening of a documentary film co-directed by professor of communication and feminist, gender & sexuality studies Katherine Sender. Threads: Sustaining India’s Textile Tradition follows the stories of fashion designers and fabric artisans as they transform traditional textile practices for contemporary fashion markets. The film features interviews with designers in Delhi and Jaipur; hand weavers in Chanderi, 350 miles south of New Delhi; bandhani tie-dyers in Bhuj, in India’s north west; and block printers near Jaipur in Rajasthan. As conversations with designers and artisans featured in the documentary illustrate, their ongoing partnerships not only present promising implications for environmental stewardship and workers’ lives, they are also reinvigorating traditional textile techniques and the communities who produce them.

A Q & A discussion with professor Sender will follow the screening.

Mann Library is pleased to present "Threads" as part of the "Threads of History: Textiles Across Cornell" programming occurring on the Cornell campus in. 2022/2023. Other events taking place at Mann Library as part of this programming include:

"Threading the Needle: Weaving Tradition Into Contemporary Textile Art," an exhibit in the Mann Library Gallery, March 23 - August 2023. (Opening reception: Thursday, March 23)"Sustaining Style: Towards Responsible Fashion," exhibit in the Mann Lobby, March 23 - September 15, 2023. Clothing Exchange in collaboration with Cornell Thrift (Mann Lobby, Thurs, April 13). Sew Creative: A Hands-on Workshop on the Techniques of Stitching (Mann Room 102, Friday, April 14; 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.; registration required).19th Century Woven Coverlets: The Finger Lakes Story (Mann Room 160, Thursday, May 4, 4:00 p.m.)Fiber Arts Stressbuster - displays & activities with natural dyes & stamps, Friday, May 12, 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Check mann.library.cornell.edu for more details and updates on additional programming.

Digvijay Negi, Cornell University

Deadweight Losses or Gains from In-kind Transfers? Experimental Evidence from India

Abstract:

Are in-kind transfers associated with deadweight losses? To answer this, we conducted an incentivized field experiment in India, which offered low-income households the choice between a free quantity of rice and varying amounts of cash to elicit their willingness to pay for rice. Contrary to expectation, we find evidence of deadweight gain on average, though with a striking contrast between a deadweight loss among respondents from female-headed households and a deadweight gain among respondents from male-headed households. Our results highlight the role of gender differences in bargaining power in shaping the choice between cash or rice.

As part of the Threads of History exhibition series, Kroch Asia presents Textiles of Asia: Patterns & Processes.

There is a rich history of textiles in Asia. From the animal-skin clothing of the Ainu to the intricate weaving of silk, Asian cultures have showcased their artistry through their textiles for centuries. Textiles of Asia: Patterns and Processes covers a multitude of fabrics, designs, and production techniques created by indigenous cultures and those imported through trade and travel.

Exhbit runs February 16th - October 31st, 2023 in the Kroch Asia Exhibition Space.

Contact AsiaRef@cornell.edu for questions or more information.

Bartels World Affairs Lecture In this year's Bartels lecture from the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, former president of Costa Rica Carlos Alvarado Quesada shares how conservation and sustainability are crucial for preserving democracy around the world. Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse spots on the planet, with more than one-quarter of the nation's land protected in parks and preserves. As Costa Rica's leader from 2018 to 2022, Alvarado proposed a challenge for his country and the world: to make Costa Rica a decarbonized nation by 2050. During his visit to Cornell, Alvarado explores some of the questions that guided his administration: What roles do democracy and governance play in shaping environmental policies at the local, national, and global levels? And how can we meet the basic needs of the world’s ever-growing human population—equitably and democratically—without sacrificing the health of the planet and its other inhabitants? A reception with refreshments will follow the lecture. Lecture: 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Alice Statler AuditoriumReception: 7:30–8:30 p.m. | Park AtriumFree ticket required for in-person attendance. Reserve your ticket for the lecture and/or reception today! Join the lecture virtually by registering at eCornell. *** How did President Alvarado's policies protect Costa Rica's environment? Read a Bartels explainer by the Lab of O's Viviana Ruiz-Gutierrez. *** About Carlos Alvarado Quesada Carlos Alvarado Quesada was Costa Rica's 48th president, serving from 2018 until 2022. He was Costa Rica's youngest president in a century, taking office at age 38. Representing the Citizens' Action Party (PAC), Alvarado previously served as minister of labor and social security. Alvarado received the 2022 Planetary Leadership Award from the National Geographic Society for his commitment and action to protect the ocean. He accepted on behalf of his country the 2019 Champion of the Earth Award, the United Nations' highest environmental honor. A writer and political scientist, Alvarado is currently Professor of Practice of Diplomacy at Tufts University's Fletcher School in Massachusetts. *** About the Bartels World Affairs Lecture The Bartels World Affairs Lecture is a signature event of the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies. Part of Einaudi's work on democratic threats and resilience, this year's lecture is cosponsored by Einaudi's Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program. The Einaudi Center’s flagship event brings distinguished international figures to campus each academic year to speak on global topics and meet with Cornell faculty and students, particularly undergraduates. The lecture and related events are made possible by the generosity of Henry E. Bartels ’48 and Nancy Horton Bartels ’48.

Come to the LRC to practice your language skills and meet new people. Conversation Hours provide an opportunity to use the target language in an informal, low-pressure atmosphere. Have fun practicing a language you are learning! Gain confidence through experience! Just using your new language skills helps you learn more than you might think. Conversation Hours are are open to any learner, including the public. Campus visitors and members of the public must adhere to Cornell's public health requirements for events.