Overview

WASD 14th International Annual Conference
co-organized and hosted by the University of East London, UK

20-22 July 2016
Canary Wharf, London, UK

The 2016 major international conference provides a forum for academics, government and industry to discuss the various challenges facing Europe in its efforts to achieve sustainable development.

Europe is at a crossroads facing many crisis and vulnerabilities, such as economic and monetary crisis; immigration; terrorism; safety and security; environment, energy and climate change; health inequalities; ageing population; integration and social policies including the relationship with Russia; and high levels of unemployment particularly among the youth. Faced with all of these issues, it is not surprising that for many people it is becoming very hard to be optimistic about Europe’s future.

This multi-disciplinary conference gave the participants the opportunity to share their knowledge and experiences from all over the world; the emphasis was on the importance of evidence-based planning to overcome the challenges facing Europe’s efforts to achieve a sustainable future.

Diaspora

The collaboration between the Diaspora and those working within the country of origin offers several opportunities and contributes to increase productivity towards sustainable and inclusive knowledge-based growth. Building constructive relationships between the Diasporas and countries of origin require that Diasporas be treated not as a mere resource, but as partners and investors with mutual benefits.

It has long been argued that Diasporas will be most interested in contributing to SD efforts when they have a sense of belonging in relation to their country of origin. Therefore, it is very important to establish trust between Diasporas and governments in the country of origin. In doing so, governments need to invest in identifying their Diasporas abroad and in understanding their skills and interests.

Many sustainability problems can only be tackled by connecting the diaspora with those working within the country of origin, for example combating the results of climate change, diseases such as malaria, reservation of natural resources, fighting land degradation or limiting the loss of biodiversity and many other problems. Moreover, knowledge or evidence-based policymaking is indispensable if gaps in living standards are to be narrowed. Therefore, building capacity in country of origin is necessary for competing in the global arena and there it is critical to turn the diaspora into a positive tool for SD as well as serving as role models for the youth in the country of origin.

Sustainable Development Goals

Location

40 Bank Street, 40 Bank St, London, England E14 5EG, United Kingdom

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Country/Regions

Team

The conference is organised by several committees from WASD and under close supervision of WASD Advisory Board.

WASD Team

Prof. Allam Ahmed: Co-Chair and President WASD
Janet Snow: International Coordinator and Editor
N. Joseph Navinraj: Publishing
Joseph Adamson: Video Production
Vicky Trainer: Graphic Designer

Participants

WASD conferences bring together researchers, policy makers, educators, consultants and employers from around the world to exchange knowledge and experience and discuss recent developments and current challenges in both theory and practice. Here is a list of distinguished speakers and panellists who have participated at WASD conferences in the past.

Languges

English

Related Conferences

Past
Annual

Social Networks

Contact Us

To register/enquire about this conference and all our other conferences and events, please contact us (admin@wasd.org.uk) and if you have any question and/or if you would like to submit any proposal for a conference/event not listed in our portfolio please contact our International Coordinator - Janet Snow at: janet.snow@wasd.org.uk.

Objectives

The conference aims to explore important topics such as:

Europe is facing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis on its own shores with waves of migrants risking their lives crossing the Mediterranean to seek refuge in Europe. Many groups of gangs are doing their best to ensure that thousands of migrants arrive on the shores of Europe every day, forcing European governments to rescue and accommodate them.
Growth in Europe has been generally slow since the global recession in 2008 with the austerity measures in some countries making the debt harder to service and leading to lower living standards and a less vibrant economy. Moreover, the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) has early this year warned that unless there is a decisive change in structural, fiscal and monetary policies, Europe may continue to languish in the upcoming year.
Many scholars and policy makers have called for a transformative agenda which embraces change and achieves sustainable growth by addressing both the production and consumption sides. There is also a call for new synthesis and approaches for overcoming the crisis in Europe which involves an innovative and inclusive growth agenda and strategies.
A 2015 report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) called for urgent action by European countries for the transition towards a green economy as one of the changes needed to secure the long-term sustainability of Europe and its neighbourhood.
Finally, the conference will also examine the role of Europe in a changing world and Europe’s leadership in major international scientific cooperation initiatives.

Women

Women across the world have an untapped potential as a primary mover of greater development within their countries and regions. Their role is very crucial for increased development, but challenges remain. And so, significant reforms in economic, social, and political institutions must be made to create an enabling environment for women participation and empowerment. However, it appears that investments in human development are not readily translated to better economic and political outcomes for women. Unfortunately, women’s potential and crucial role in development across the world is still impeded by these economic and social factors. Women’s participation is also very important in advancing peace, unity and combating terrorism, which is a most serious threat to SD across all regions of the world. It has also been recognized that women have been largely excluded from the processes of conflict management and prevention and that their role is important in the achievement of lasting peace and security (UN, 2015).

Theme

The theme for our 2016 conference was Europe at a crossroads: the challenge for future sustainable development. This major international event provided a forum for academics, government and industry to discuss the various challenges facing Europe in its efforts to achieve sustainable development.

Europe is at a crossroads facing many crisis and vulnerabilities, such as economic and monetary crisis; immigration; terrorism; safety and security; environment, energy and climate change; health inequalities; ageing population; integration and social policies including the relationship with Russia; and high levels of unemployment particularly among the youth. Faced with all of these issues, it is not surprising that for many people it is becoming very hard to be optimistic about Europe’s future.

This multi-disciplinary conference gave the participants the opportunity to share their knowledge and experiences from all over the world; the emphasis was on the importance of evidence-based planning to overcome the challenges facing Europe’s efforts to achieve a sustainable future.

Youth

WASD is very keen to encourage the engagement of children and youth from across the world in the conference. We are keen to make the voice of all our children and youth heard and consequently enabling the decision makers to consider those views and ideas in their big decisions. The entire concept of SD is about the future and the future is all about the children and youth! Youth population is growing rapidly in all regions of the world and we are very keen to understand the children and youth perspectives and expectations for their future to help them be ready to grasp the various opportunities generated in the digital economy. We strongly believe our children and youth should be the cornerstone of any strategy by all governments and policy makers. We must listen to our children and youth and more importantly how we can help our youth with their future employment plans and aspirations. Youth from all-over the world are encouraged to participate in the conference and present their research, perspectives and initiatives.

Publications

On 23 June 2016 the UK voted to leave the European Union, shocking the world and revealing a divided country doing something no country has ever done before. Outlook 2016 is very timely, with Europe continuing to face many challenges on its path to achieve sustainable inclusive growth and development. The book provides an unbiased point of view on various important matters facing Europe, such as: economic and monetary crisis; immigration; terrorism; safety and security; environment, energy and climate change; health inequalities; ageing population; integration of social policies including the relationship with Russia; and high levels of unemployment particularly among the youth.

Editor: Professor Allam Ahmed
ISBN: 978-1-907106-37-8
Year: 2016
Pages: 448

Speakers

Welcome Allam Ahmed, President WASD, Director MEKEI, and Founder Sudan Knowledge, UK

Session (1): Migration, peace and security (Keynote)

Chair: Professor Janet Druker, Professor of Human Resource Management, University of Westminster & Former Senior Pro-Vice Chancellor, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK Rapporteur: David Otto, Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime/Security Expert and Director TGS Intelligence Consultants Ltd, UK University of East London engagement with the Syrian crisis Professor John Joughin Vice Chancellor University of East London United Kingdom > View presentation ‘Fission and Fusion’: peace, security and migration issues in contemporary Europe Professor Hunud Kadouf Dean Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah (Faculty) of Laws International Islamic University Malaysia

Session (2): Sustainability and environment management

Chair: Dr. Subhadra Ganguli, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain Rapporteur: Dr. Nagat Eltoum, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia Recent UN and EU sustainable development policies (post 2015) – what challenges for city planning and governance? Dr. Roudaina Al Khani, Platforms for sustainable cities and regions, UK > View presentation Exploring the challenge for sustainable development in the energy sector: sociomaterial view of two British and Nigerian cases Dr. Mostafa Mohamad and John Anuge, University of Salford, UK > View presentation Study the variability of water quality in a large distribution network Dr. Md Maruf Mortula, Dr. Kazi Parvez Fattah and Dr. Tarig Ali, American University of Sharjah, UAE > View presentation

Session (3): Business, economy and finance

Chair: Dr. Siham El-Kafafi, ICL Education Group, New Zealand Rapporteur: Dr. Nadia J. Sweis, Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Jordan An inquiry into success factors influencing the choice of foreign markets Dr. Marwan Al Qur’an, Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Jordan > View presentation FDI spillover effects on Asia-Pacific sustainable productivity growth Prof. Elsadig Ahmed and Rahim Kialashki, Multimedia University, Malaysia > View presentation Small entrepreneurs finance by Islamic Banks: An empirical review (An Institutional-Network Approach) Dr. Mohammed Nurul Alam, Canadian University Dubai, UAE > View presentation

Session (4): Public health and medical sciences

Chair: Dr. Ibrahim N. Mamadu, Centre for Alternative Sustainable Livelihoods, Nigeria Rapporteur: Dr. Daba Chowdhury, University Campus Suffolk, UK Fad diets to modulate obesity: challenges and consequences Dr. Ihab Tewfik, University of Westminster, UK > View presentation Management of medical technology for sustainable reliability Dr. Sushil Varma, Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Ltd., New Zealand > View presentation Ramadan fasting among pregnant women with diabetes: An international neglected phenomenon Dr. Nagat Eltoum, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia > View presentation Revisiting the welfare economics of moral hazard Dr. Nadia J. Sweis, Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Jordan > View presentation

Reflection and feedback from Day One Dr. Roudaina Al Khani, Platforms for sustainable cities and regions, UK

Session (5): Sustainable inclusive growth and development

Chair: Dr. Daba Chowdhury, University Campus Suffolk, UK Rapporteur: John Anuge, University of Salford, UK An economic analysis of potential GCC economic and monetary union for sustainable development – Drawing from the European Experience Dr. Subhadra Ganguli, Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain > View presentation Review of the effects of insurgency on sustainable healthcare development in north-east Nigeria Dr. Ibrahim N. Mamadu, Centre for Alternative Sustainable Livelihoods, Nigeria Dr. Zara W. Wudiri, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria Dr. Hyelni H. Mshelia, Borno State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Nigeria > View presentation Assessment of the impacts of harsh weather on use of sustainable transport options: the case of Dubai Ali El Masri, Boom Construction Company, UAE Dr. Ghassan Abu-Lebdeh, American University of Sharjah, UAE > View presentation State level achievements of MDG – Indicators in India during 1993-94– 2013-14 Prof. Ranajit Chakrabarty, Calcutta University, India Dr. Mahuya Chakrabarti, Bethune College, India Dr. Ayan Chattopadhyay, Future Retail Ltd., India > View presentation

Session (6): Innovation, knowledge and development

Chair: Dr. Ghassan Abu-Lebdeh, American University of Sharjah, UAE Rapporteur: Dr. Sushil Varma, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ltd., New Zealand Disruptive innovation in SMEs for economic development and sustainability: The key role of knowledge and invention management Dr. Daba Chowdhury, University Campus Suffolk, UK > View presentation Impact of teamwork skills on students’ creativity: A case of classroom educational programme Dr. Siham El-Kafafi, ICL Education Group, New Zealand > View presentation Benchmarking of academic studies of dietitians at King Abdulaziz University using the European Dietetic Benchmark Statement (EDBS) Dr. Elham Aljaaly, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia > View presentation Poverty reduction through enabling factors Dr. Khurshed Alam, Bangladesh Institute of Social Research (BISR) Trust, Bangladesh > View presentation

Session (7): Research and development (Keynote)

Chair: Professor Hunud Kadouf, Dean, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah (Faculty) of Laws, International Islamic University, Malaysia Rapporteur: Dr. Elham Aljaaly, Vice-Dean of Female Section & Head of the Clinical Nutrition Department, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – driving the sustainability research agenda John Peters Chief Executive Greenleaf Publishing & GSE Research United Kingdom > View presentation Big data and sustainability: The next step for circular economy Professor Lukumon O. Oyedele Director of Bristol Enterprise, Research and Innovation Centre (BERIC) Professor of Enterprise and Project Management University of the West of England United Kingdom > View presentation

Session (8): The impact of BREXIT on Globalization and Sustainability

Chair: Allam Ahmed, President WASD, Director MEKEI, and Founder Sudan Knowledge, UK Rapporteurs: Dr. Roudaina Al Khani, Platforms for sustainable cities and regions, UK Yousra Abdelmoneim, University of Sussex, UK

On Thursday, 23 June 2016 a referendum is being held across the United Kingdom, to decide whether the UK should leave or remain in the European Union. The UK has voted to leave the European Union, shocking the world and revealing a divided country doing something no country has ever done it before although many have tried in the past.

There is no denying the fact that Europe is at a crossroads facing many crisis and vulnerabilities, such as economic and monetary crisis; immigration; terrorism; safety and security; environment, energy and climate change; health inequalities; ageing population; integration and social policies including the relationship with Russia; and high levels of unemployment particularly among the youth. Faced with all of these issues, it is not surprising that for many people it is becoming very hard to be optimistic about Europe’s future.

This session will discuss and gather viewpoints from across the world about the impact of BREXIT on global economy and sustainability. In addition to the conference delegates, there will be contributions from across the world by various international experts and scholars via skype and other social media tools.

Reflection and feedback from Day Two Dr. Mohammed Nurul Alam, Canadian University Dubai, UAE

Session (9): Europe and globalization

Chair: Prof. Elsadig Ahmed, Multimedia University, Malaysia Rapporteur: Dr. Nahlaa Khalifa, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia Diaspora knowledge and expertise: influencing the structures for inclusive growth and sustainable development in Europe Rudi Page, Making Connections Work Ltd, UK > View presentation Vulnerabilities, radicalization and extremism in Europe: the African connection David Otto, TGS Intelligence Consultants Ltd, UK > View presentation The competitiveness of energy-intensive industries in EU’s last members Dr. Hasan Karaduman and Prof. Feride Gönel, Yildiz Technical University, Turkey > View presentation Europe: whither the fortress around the Mediterranean and Africa? Dr. Christopher C. Nshimbi and Dr. Inocent Moyo, University of South Africa, South Africa > View presentation

Session (10): Sustainability challenges and planning

Chair: Dr. Md Maruf Mortula, American University of Sharjah, UAE Rapporteur: Dr. Marwan Al Qur’an, Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Jordan Rhetorical bottomless basket case Vs Bangladesh’s success with the MDGs Dr. Moazzem Hossain, Griffith University, Australia Mohammad Samsul Hoque, Bangladesh Civil Service Dhaka, Bangladesh > View presentation Nutrigenomics: Use of personalized diet to prevent the onset of disease and optimize human health Dr. Nahlaa Khalifa, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia > View presentation The development of the great green wall in the Sahel of Nigeria with some local constraints in sustainability Prof. Njidda Gadzama, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria > View presentation Soil productivity and food security in Sudan: Current situation and challenges Dr. Sarra Saad, National Center for Research, Sudan Dr. Moawia Babiker, Ekhtibarat Soil and Water Tests Service, Sudan Suliman GasmElseed, Omdurman Islamic University, Sudan > View presentation

Session (11): End of Conference

Chair: Allam Ahmed, President WASD, Director MEKEI, and Founder Sudan Knowledge, UK 2017 Conference theme and venue Best Paper Award

Concluding Remarks Rudi Page, Making Connections Work Ltd, UK

Europe at a crossroads: the challenge for future sustainable development

Overview

Diaspora

Sustainable Development Goals

Location

Country/Regions

Team

Participants

Languges

Related Conferences

Social Networks

Contact Us

Objectives

Women

Theme

Youth

Publications

Speakers

Session (1): Migration, peace and security (Keynote)

Session (2): Sustainability and environment management

Session (3): Business, economy and finance

Session (4): Public health and medical sciences

Session (5): Sustainable inclusive growth and development

Session (6): Innovation, knowledge and development

Session (7): Research and development (Keynote)

Session (8): The impact of BREXIT on Globalization and Sustainability

Session (9): Europe and globalization

Session (10): Sustainability challenges and planning

Session (11): End of Conference

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EXPERTS

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Europe at a crossroads: the challenge for future sustainable development

Overview

Diaspora

Sustainable Development Goals

Location

Country/Regions

Team

Participants

Languges

Related Conferences

Social Networks

Contact Us

Objectives

Women

Theme

Youth

Publications

Speakers

Session (1): Migration, peace and security (Keynote)

Session (2): Sustainability and environment management

Session (3): Business, economy and finance

Session (4): Public health and medical sciences

Session (5): Sustainable inclusive growth and development

Session (6): Innovation, knowledge and development

Session (7): Research and development (Keynote)

Session (8): The impact of BREXIT on Globalization and Sustainability

Session (9): Europe and globalization

Session (10): Sustainability challenges and planning

Session (11): End of Conference

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EXPERTS

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