ULAB - Hosts International Conference on Sustainable Development

'Sustainable Development', according to the United Nations, means development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Realising the need to bring about social and economic development that sustains comes from the ambitions set on the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and aims to go further to end all sorts of poverty.

Setting goals is one thing, however, and achieving them entirely another. Being familiar with this reality, the Center for Sustainable Development (CSD), at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), organised a two-day International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD) earlier this month. The aim of the conference was to identify and share empirical research findings and/or practical, evidence-based solutions that can support the Sustainable Development Goals. The conference also provided a unique opportunity to stakeholders – from the government, academia, international agencies, NGOs, and grassroots organisers – to share practical solutions towards the achievement of more sustainable and inclusive societies.

This year's conference was based on 12 themes: Gender and SDGs, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security, Sustainable Livelihoods, Integrated Water Resource Management, Migration, Climate Change Adaptation, Coastal Zone Management, Disability and SDGs, Green Cities and Human Settlements, Public Health and Nutrition, Business and Sustainability, and Disaster Management. The conference featured a total of 34 research paper presentations that had been selected from 100 applications.

Eminent scholars from around the world participated in the conference to share highly relevant and valuable insights. Dr. A Mustaque R Chowdhury, Vice Chair of BRAC, and Professor of Population and Family Health at the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, USA;  Margreet  Zwarteveen, Professor of Water Governance at UNESCO-IHE, The Netherlands; Dr. Boris Braun, Professor of Human and Economic Geography, Department of Geography, University of Cologne; Rajib Shaw, Professor at the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Japan; Dr. Mahbuba Nasreen,  Director and Professor at the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies, University of Dhaka; E.R. Ninal Gunawardena, Professor of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Peradeniya, Sri  Lanka; Dr. Jeroen Warner, Associate Professor, Sociology of Development and Change Group at Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR); Dr. Saleemul Haq, Senior Fellow, Climate Change Group, International Institute for Environment and Development Director, ICCCAD; and Dr. Hamidul Huq, Professor and Director of Center for Sustainable Development (CSD), University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), shared their views on issues relevant to effective achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

A plenary session was also held on 'Sustainable Development & National Long-term Plan: Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100.' Dr. Rezaur Rahman, Professor of IWFM, BUET chaired the session. Professor Dr. Shamsul Alam, Member, GED, Planning Commission, Government of Bangladesh, and chief guest at the session, said that Bangladesh being a rapidly developing country, faces major inter-related delta challenges in water safety, food security and socio-economic development, and is prone to natural calamities such as floods, cyclones and droughts. He expressed hope that the recommendation of this conference will be helpful for formulation of a long-term plan for management of the Bangladesh delta. 

A total of 200 participants and observers took part in the conference.