International Conference on ‘Sustainability, Global Diversity, Inclusion & Culture; Interdisciplinary Perspectives’ Organized by Department of Education, University of Calcutta

Saikat Kumar Basu 

A two-day International Conference on ‘Sustainability, Global Diversity, Inclusion and Culture; Interdisciplinary Perspectives’ was organized under the convenorship and leadership of Prof. Santoshi Halder, Department of Education funded by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) in collaboration with National Library of India, Ministry of Culture, Government of India. 

Over 300 scholars, faculty members, teachers, and educators from all over India and across 10 countries & over 50 Universities/ institutes from all corners of India and participated in this mega conference in various capacities across the disciplines for stimulating discussion and brainstorming on the Conference theme. The objective was to collectively map a sustainable INCLUSIVE global society and community for all. 

The two days international conference was an amalgamation of eminent speakers and specialists from various Universities and institutions across allied disciplines and various countries that reinforced the minds of all ages be it the young budding students and research scholars including the experienced faculties and stakeholders. I am sure the deliberations, suggestions, experiences, and ideas shared during this 2-day national conference will surely shed light on ways to ameliorate proper strategies and approaches for enhancing the quality of education in our country and stimulate us in making our society and community more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable for all as conveyed by the Conference Convenor Prof. Santoshi Halder.

The Conference began with the inaugural session with the gracious presence of the key dignitaries; Santa Datta (De), Vice Chancellor, University of Calcutta, Prof. Ajay Pratap Singh, Director General, National Library of India, Ministry of Culture, Govern of India, Melinda Pavek, US Consul General. Prof. Ratna Ghosh, Distinguished James McGill Professor Emerita, McGill University and Prof. Norimune Kwai, Deputy Executive Director, Hiroshima University, Director, Institute for Diversity & Inclusion, Hiroshima University, Japan delivered the keynote address.

Over twelve special talks, panel discussion, three virtual presentations, one hands-on workshop on inclusive practices on areas such as Universal design, accessibility and alternative technologies, inclusive practices, and strategies, were delivered by specialists & experts from ten country representatives across various disciplines. 

The Conference provided a platform for the marginalized and socio-economically disadvantaged to share their stories to the larger audience through the session ‘My own Voices; as first-person accounts’. The women who scaled the Everest midst all odds (socioeconomically disadvantaged),  plight of the Tiger Widows (reflecting socio-culturally marginalized),  an autistic student from Hungary sharing her story & her perception of the world through her own lens, including a farmer, a teacher, a social activist from a Nagaland village. The session reflected the strengths and challenges and the wide range of diversities, socio-economic and socio-cultural marginalization prevailing in our society and highlighted the need and importance of inclusion reflecting the conference theme.

The conference also included an overview on India Autism Centre (IAC); Asia’s largest residential autism center that we have in India and their services for people with autism.

A total of 143 papers were presented during the conference from 18 states of India and 11 countries through a total of 20 technical sessions categorized under 20 subthemes of the conference to reflect more specifically the conference overall objective. 

The session were chaired by specialists from some of the best Universities/ Institutes not only from all corners of India but also many other renowned Universities outside the country to name a few; JMI, Delhi University, JNU, SNDT University, Punjab University, IIT, Ropar India, University of Minnesota, USA, University of Dundee, U.K, University of Education, Germany, Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE), Hungary, Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway, Hiroshima University, Japan, University of Thessaly, Greece, University of South Africa, South Africa etc.

Presenting the conference theme through Nritya Natika by renowned Indian Classical dancer and much acclaimed Fulbright scholar Priyadarshani Shome; ‘Dance with Me, We, Us’ was a special attraction and a culture boost for the conference audience.

Four best paper presenters were conferred to young scholars based on carefully identified crucial parameters assessed by the chairpersons of the technical sessions. 

One of the special features of the conference was conferring the three notable achievers midst all odds selected from diverse background studying in various Universities. The objective was sensitizing the general masses towards the strengths of the people with diverse needs.

The conference culminated with the valedictory address by Prof. Rajkumar Kothari, Vice Chancellor, Sanskrit University, and the Valedictory talk by the Dr Dipyaman Ganguly, IICB, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awardee (Medical Sciences).

Needless Prof. Halder says, interdisciplinary collaboration is the key pathway for a sustainable, inclusive, and equitable society. Prof. Halder pointed out that many of the current global problems can be addressed by accepting & embracing Diversity. Well said by one of the international experts that such event can add significantly bringing strategic change for making the society and community inclusive. Prof. Halder believes events like this are a notable step indeed in sensitizing the general masses not only towards the needs and importance of facilitating the inclusion and participation of people with diversities but also for highlighting their ingenious strengths.Photo credit: Saikat Kumar Basu 

Photo credit: Saikat Kumar Basu