RV University hosts C20 meet under G20 in partnership with GRAAM
Bangalore : RV University (RVU), in collaboration with Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM), organized the prestigious Civil 20 (C20) meet under G20 in Bengaluru. The event aimed to bring together leading academics and opinion leaders in the fields of democracy and governance and promised to be an important opportunity to share their views and opinions. As part of the G20 presidency, India has formed several working groups and Civil 20 (C-20) is one of the official Engagement Groups. Under the Indian Presidency of G20, one of the priorities of this working group is to focus on finding sustainable solutions to the socio-economic matters that touch people & their daily lives.
The event held at RVU kick started a series of events that will take place in several cities across the country. The inaugural session was followed by a round table discussion on the theme “Delivering Democracy’ which was attended by many members of civil society organizations from across the country. The event was presided over by Mr. Arjun Ranga, Chairman CII, Karnataka and Chairman, GRAAM while the Chief Guest was Dr. Dyaneshwar Manohar Mulay, IFS (Retd.), Member, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The Guest of Honors were Mr. R.V. D’Souza, IAS, Secretary, Planning, Govt. of Karnataka, Mr. Kiran D.M., Sous Sherpa Civil 20-G20 and Former CEO, ONGC foundation, Dr. Y.S.R. Murthy, Vice-Chancellor, RV University and Dr. Basavaraju R. Shreshta, National Coordinator- Delivering Democracy Working Group and Executive Director, GRAAM.
Sharing in his address, the Chief Guest, Member, NHRC, Dr. Dyaneshwar Manohar Mulay, said “In order to contribute to freedom, equality and justice we must have a positive approach. To ensure justice, one must become passionate and there must be inclusivity in our day to day lives. Democracy has to be a dynamic and progressive instrument of development; it must have a constructive, compassionate, and creative approach. It is important for democracy to preserve what is on the verge of perishing particularly the cultural and artistic heritage. We must bring a paradigm shift through peaceful methods in the practice of our own democracy. Our future is democracy and our stakes are high and the cost of democracy is eternal vigilance. We have to proactively contribute, conserve and promote it.”
Prof. Y.S.R. Murthy, Vice Chancellor, RV University, commented, “The theme of the G20 under Indian Presidency is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – one Earth, one Family and one future. Today, our collective future faces several challenges from poverty, climate change, conflict, terrorism, corruption, to mention but a few aspects. A healthy democracy requires a vibrant civic space with full guarantees of freedom of speech, expression, freedom of assembly and association. When there is an effective partnership between the Government and civil society, it can ensure that fruits of development reach the grassroots”.
The C-20’s Delivering Democracy Working Group will host a variety of knowledge assimilation events, through in persons and virtual modes, ensuring engagement from all the sections, create a platform for discussions, debates and dissents and endeavours to find a ‘democratic direction’ derived from the deliberations.