JMI organises International Conference (Online) On “Building Resilient and Sustainable Societies: Emerging Social and Economic Challenges”

New Delhi: The Department of Geography, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) organized an International Conference (Online) entitled ‘Building Resilient and Sustainable Societies-Emerging Social and Economic Challenges’ under the aegis of UGC-DRS-1 Program on 25th -26th November, 2020.
During the two day conference comprising of 20 technical sessions, more than 140 research papers from different parts of India and abroad including USA, Germany, KSA, Japan, China, Thailand, Bangladesh etc. were presented.
Prof. Najma Akhtar, Vice-Chancellor, JMI was the Chief Guest of the inaugural session. The
Keynote address was delivered by the Guest of Honour Prof. R.B. Singh, IGU-Secretary General and Professor of Geography (Retired), Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi. Guest of Honour, Dr. S. D. Attri, Add. DGM, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), New Delhi addressed the audience.
During her address Prof. Akhtar warmly welcomed all the delegates and appreciated the theme of the conference in terms of its present and future relevance for humanity at large.
She invoked the important message of the National Education Policy of India (2020) and called upon the Department of Geography, JMI to regularly organize short term courses, workshop and new curriculum to impart learning related to environmental management, disaster preparedness, risk reduction, monitoring, and concerted efforts for building resilient and sustainable societies, particularly through critical participation of youth in India.
Prof. Singh emphasized upon an urgent need for addressing chronic burden of poverty,
unemployment and regional inequalities in the quest of building resilient and inclusive societies along the lines of SDGs framework (2015-2030), Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) and Paris Agreement (2016).
Dr. Atri highlighted the need for regular monitoring and assessment of disparate risk as
identified by the World Economic Forum (2020) and build upon the institutional and citizenry capacities for sustainable and inclusive societies.
Prof. Ishtiaque, Department of Geography, JMI and Convener of the conference welcomed all the delegates and highlighted the salient achievement of the JMI and Department of Geography in recent years under the dynamic leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar.
Prof. Atiqur Rahman, Organizing Secretary of the International conference and Coordinator of the UGC-DRS-1, Department of Geography, JMI, briefly introduced the theme and sub-themes of the conference with their wide societal needs.