South Asia crucial for achieving global SDGs

New Delhi ,

“The global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved if South Asia fails to meet its target”, said Rajan Sudesh Ratna of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for the Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), New Delhi. He was delivering the inaugural address as chief guest of the two-day international conference on Evolving Narratives in Humanities, Management and Sustainable Development organised by the Society for Policy Research and Empowerment (SPRE), a New Delhi based think tank in collaboration with Usha and Lakshmi Mittal Institute of Management, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BULMIM), New Delhi on February 16-17, 2019.

Ratna stressed that in India and other South Asian countries, involving all stakeholders especially the vulnerable sections, is essential to make it inclusive. Emphasizing on the role of the United Nations (UN), he maintained that the UN has helped restore global peace and assisted countries in conflict resolution.

The welcome address was delivered by Mahjabin Banu, President, SPRE. Banu asserted that capacity building at all levels of the society is an instrument of enhanced global understanding. As convener of this multi-disciplinary conference, she maintained that we need to undertake research-based advocacy on key developmental and public policy issues.

Pankaj Jha, an eminent scholar from the OP Jindal Global University delivered the Keynote Address. He focused on the Indo-Pacific geopolitics and India’s strategic role. Jha argued that the role of India, Vietnam and Singapore is crucial while describing the geopolitical connotations of the Indo-Pacific region. M. Durgamohan, Director, BULMIM in a special address stressed on the importance of cross-cultural contexts. He argued that trust building and relationship management in firms are becoming all the more necessary.

An edited book titled “Evolving Narratives in Humanities and Management” comprising of the research work of the participating delegates was also released on the occasion. The book contains twenty-two scholarly papers.This was followed by a panel discussion on “Understanding India-Vietnam engagements: Economic, Social and Strategic Dimensions” organised along with the Centre of Vietnam Studies, New Delhi. The speakers in this session included Sonu Trivedi from the Centre for Vietnam Studies, Om Prakash Dahiya from Zakir Husain Delhi College and Faisal Ahmed, trade and geopolitical expert.

The conference witnessed deliberations on several multi-disciplinary themes such as geo-economics and management; historical and cultural contexts; and international studies and social systems. In the valedictory session, the SPRE Social Excellence Award 2019 was presented to Shashi Bhushan Rai, a senior level corporate professional,for his outstanding contribution to the social cause. The award was given by RK Wadhva, Director, Global Business Consultants, New Delhi.Distinguished scholars and professionals including KR Kaushik, Maneesh Kumar and Anil Mehta were present on the occasion.