Overview
CORONAVIRUS: the management of pandemic and the impact on Agenda 2030
18th WASD Annual International Conference
(20-22 July 2020)
As a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, for the first time since its inception the Annual Conference of the World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD) will be organised remotely via video conference technologies. In doing so, WASD will use the latest technology in video conferencing from London with participants from all-over the world connecting from homes.
The conference is expected to brings 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, you can also browse sample of our previous speakers here. The conference program will be published two weeks before the conference date and will normally be tentative and subject to changes due to the large number of participants. For a sample program structure, please check our 2018 and 2019 conference programs.
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.
Location
London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Team
The conference is organised by several committees from WASD and under close supervision of WASD Advisory Board.
- Prof. Allam Ahmed: Co-Chair and President WASD
- Janet Snow: International Coordinator and Editor
- N. Joseph Navinraj: Publishing
- Kumar Gaurav: Webmaster
- Mervyn Clingan: Video Production
- Souheil Zaied: Graphic Designer
Outlook 2020