Two-Day Collaborative International Conference on Sustainable Development Goals Begins at Jammu University

Jammu, Dec 21: The two-day collaborative international conference on “Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Post-COVID-19 World: Regional Challenges, Opportunities and Policy Options” organized by Department of Economics in collaboration with the Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi, and the Indian Council of Social Science Research, North Western Regional Centre, Panjab University, Chandigarh begins today at University of Jammu.

In the inaugural function, Prof. Meena Sharma, the Dean Academic Affairs and the Dean Planning and Development, University of Jammu was the Chief Guest, while Prof. A. N. Sadhu, Former, Dean Academic Affairs, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Head and Professor of Economics Department was the Guest of Honour.

The Key Note speech on the topic ‘Disasters and Sustainable Development: Evidences from Mountain Economies in India’ was delivered by Prof. I. C. Awasthi, Former Professor at Institute for Human Development, New Delhi. Prof. Awasthi emphasized to integrate SDGs to economic development and need for maintaining environmental sustainability across the fragile mountain areas of India. Prof. A. N. Sadhu highlighted the need to develop a strong linkage between development and environmental sustainability, tapping the demographic dividend and talent pool to accelerate innovation and new technologies along with socio-economic transformation to achieve SDGs.

The chief guest of inaugural function, Prof. Meena Sharma emphasized on the relevance of such conferences for academic progress. Prof. Sunita Devi Sharma, the Head, Department of Economics presented the welcome remarks, the conference convener Prof. Falendra Kumar briefed about the conferences goals, Ms. Avni Sablok, Representative of the Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi highlighted the significance of this collaborative conference and scope for future collaboration with ICWA, Prof. Jasbir Singh, the Conference Coordinator presented the vote of thanks and Dr. Shallu Sehgal conducted the proceedings.

In the subsequent after lunch sessions of the conference, more than twenty well researched papers were presented on topics such as India’s Progress in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals, Optimizing Energy Subsidies, Financial Inclusion Awareness Amongst Youth, Sustainable Development Goal 7 in South Asia, Food and Nutritional Security, Digital Public Infrastructure, Inclusive Digital Governance, Decent Work and Unemployment, Employment Situation in Rural India, Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education, Unlocking Higher Education, Corporate Social Responsibility Practices and Sustainable Outcomes, Health and Well-Being of the Vulnerable, Leveraging Financial Inclusion, Indigenous Financial Model for Sustainable Banking, Demographic Challenges, Declining Female Employment Standards in India, Sustainable Agriculture, Role of Digital Technology, Better Education for All, and Prospects and Challenges of Regional Cooperation. The main speakers include Dr. Kanchan Datta, Dr. Om Raj Katoch, Ms. Avni Sablok, Dr. Roopam Agarwal, Prof. Dalip Kumar, Dr. Balwant Mehta, Dr. Jyoti Sharma, Dr. Sarbjeet Singh, Dr. Ravita, Dr. Sunita Bishnoi, Prof. Suparan K Sharma, Prof. Aswini Kumar Nanda, Prof. Vani Kamath, Dr. Vishal, Prof. Jasdeep Singh Toor, Dr.Monika Gupta, Dr. Bhawna Sharma, and Dr. Juhi Kohli among others.

More than 100 participants across the states and union territories of India such as Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Kerala, West Bengal, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir, and Chandigarh were gathered for brain storming sessions on the various conference themes. The faculty members and research scholars of the Department of Economics were also present. The outcomes of the conference is planned to be disseminated through edited volume(s) from reputed international publisher.

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