International Conference on Engaging Canada and India: Perspectives on Sustainability
11-12 May 2017
Organized by Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, New Delhi
Venue: India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India
The Institute
The Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute is a bi-national organization that promotes understanding between India and Canada through academic activities and exchanges. Its broad-based initiatives support the creation of bi-national links between academia, government, the business community and civil society organizations by funding research, faculty and student exchange, conferences, workshops and seminars. With a membership of over ninety leading Indian and Canadian universities and research institutions, the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute has facilitated greater collaboration between Indian and Canadian institutions in the humanities, social sciences, arts, science & technology, legal education, and management studies. The Institute, as part of its mandate, has also supported research on sustainable development and other United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
THE CONFERENCE
Sustainability is a multifaceted concept. It is only with a deep understanding of the nuances of our social fabric can we internalize and put it to practice. The most commonly quoted definition of sustainability is from the United Nations Bruntland Commission Report, which says "sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." In a broader sense, sustainability can be conceived as the physical development and institutional operating practices that meet the needs of present users without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, particularly with regard to use and waste of natural resources. Sustainable practices support ecological, human, and economic health and vitality. Sustainability presumes that resources are finite, and should be used conservatively and wisely with an understanding of long-term priorities. The discourses today about sustainability also addresses the consequences of the ways in which resources are used. Simply put, sustainability can be viewed as sustainable development which intertwines the four disciplines of ecology, economics, politics and culture. The bedrock of these is entrenched in education. The role of institutes of higher learning is, thus, very critical in developing an understanding as to the way it impacts sustainable practices. With an aim of creating a global culture of sustainable development, the United Nations has been setting an agenda for achieving the desired end goals through the drafting of measurable targets. Referred to as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, it aims to bring in governments, businesses and civil society together on one platform. In addition to that, even the Paris agreement on climate change has changed the dynamics of global affairs. Some of the prominent goals include provision of quality education, incorporating better practices in infrastructure, innovation and industry, making positive climate change impacts, focusing on clean energy and achieving targets on good & general well-being. Through this conference, it is intended to invoke debate and conduct deliberations in the area of contributions that institutes of higher learning have made or are making through continuous change and adaptation of these goals into the curricula. The conference also aims of to bring out the latest pedagogical as well as practical aspects that are being introduced in India and Canada towards fulfilling our commitments for the creation and sustenance of a sustainable global society.
OBJECTIVES
The broad areas identified for deliberations in the Conference will focus on how perspectives in 'Sustainability' have been shaped in India and Canada in the areas of humanities and social sciences, business and management, law and also in science and technology. Through this intersection of several fields of knowledge, the conference shall endeavor to explore the development of our understanding of sustainability through the varied yet connected lenses.
FOCUS AREAS OF THE CONFERENCE
Theme 1: Sustainable Societies
Theme 2: Economic Sustainability and Business & Management
Theme 3: Social Sustainability and Law
Theme 4: Sustainable Technologies
Theme 5: Environment, Climate Change and Sustainability
Theme 6: Public Health
Theme 7: Indigenous Practices
Theme 8: Gender
CALL FOR PAPERS
Papers are invited from faculty, post-doctoral researchers, and doctoral students from Shastri member institutions, as well as faculty/researchers from non-member institutions that discuss the result of their research and the impact it has in developing partnerships, linkages, learning methodologies, and socio-cultural narratives that empower interdisciplinary research. The papers could be the outcome of research funded by the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute or by other agencies/universities/research institutions/Independent research. We particularly encourage submissions that develop inter-disciplinary themes.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Abstracts of the proposed paper in about 400 words should be sent to Ms. Anju Taneja by email at
anjut@sici.org.in. The last date to receive the abstracts is 02-04-2017. Authors must indicate the focus area for which they would like their paper to be considered. The abstracts will be reviewed and a selection will be made by SICI. Scholars whose abstracts are selected will be intimated by 10-04-2017. The full original papers (unpublished till date) should be submitted by 05-05-2017. Papers presented at the Conference would be considered for a publication on a blind external review.
Travel and Accommodation: Economy class air-fare within India, and local accommodation in New Delhi, will be provided to outstation scholars whose papers have been selected for presentation at the Conference. Travel and accommodation arrangements/reimbursements will be done according to the travel and accommodation policy of the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute. We encourage and allow virtual presentations as well.
