Mangaluru: The School of Arts and Humanities at St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru, is set to host a three-day international conference on “Sustainable Development Goals: Confluence of Local, National, and Global Actions” from January 15–17, 2025. The event will take place in the L F Rasquinha Hall, LCRI Block of the university campus.

Conference Highlights

The conference will focus on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), an urgent global call to action by the United Nations to promote peace, prosperity, and environmental sustainability. The discussions aim to harmonise local, national, and global strategies for achieving these goals, fostering collaboration among stakeholders from various sectors.

The event is organised by the School of Arts and Humanities at St Aloysius University and sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi. It is also supported by academic partners Sophia University (Japan), SUNY Cortland (USA), and Catholica University (Spain).

Keynote Speakers and Sessions

The esteemed chief guest for the conference will be Mr Vignesh Hebbar, Founder and CEO of ThinkLeap Technology Labs Pvt Ltd. Prof Ketei Matsui from the Department of Global Citizenship Studies, Seisen University, Tokyo, will deliver the keynote address.

Key sessions include:

  • Session I: Curated by Dr Shobha Reddy, Environment Specialist, and State Leader, Karnataka Inclusive Livelihood Program, PRADAN.
  • Session II: Led by Prof A R Vasavi, Social Anthropologist.
  • Session III: Delivered by Prof Alexandru Balas Clark, Center for Global Engagement, SUNY Cortland, USA.

A panel discussion will feature notable experts such as Dr Upendra Bhojani, former director of the Institute of Public Health, Bengaluru, and Dr Jeremy Jimenez, Department of Foundations & Social Advocacy, SUNY Cortland, USA.

Pre-Conference Workshops

As part of the event, a series of pre-conference workshops will be held on January 13, 2025, facilitated by the university’s Departments of Psychology, Political Science, Social Work, and Journalism. Topics include:

  • Breaking Patterns & Creating Change
  • Conflict, Reconciliation & Peace Building
  • Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training
  • Role of Media in Preserving Local Cultures for Sustainability

Conclusion

The conference aspires to bring together academicians, researchers, industry experts, and NGOs to deliberate on innovative strategies for achieving the SDGs. It underscores St Aloysius University’s commitment to shaping a sustainable and just society.