Overview
United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science
اليوم العالمي للأمم المتحدة للمرأة والفتاة في العلوم
International Conference Face-to-Face and Online
Thursday 11th February 2021
(10:00 to 14:00) Khartoum (09:00 to 13:00) Paris (08:00 to 12:00) London
Venue: Vice Chancellor Office, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Sudan
Hosted by WASD in partnership with the UNESCO Chair in Women, Science and Technology; UNESCO Khartoum Office; UNESCO L’oryeal Programme; The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO); Middle Eastern Knowledge Economy Institute (MEKEI), Sudan Knowledge (SK).
In celebration of the United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD) and UNESCO Chair in Women, Science and Technology are working together to meaningful and self-led women learnership in science and technology and youth-engagement across the world. WASD organizes several initiatives and activities including the celebration of “International Women’s day” which is celebrated across the world to show the remarkable achievements of women to the society particularly in the field of science and technology. The UNESCO chair established in 2003 to promote an integrated system of research, training, information and documentation activities in the field of Women, Science and technology.
The conference will explore the role of various institutions particularly academic and research institutions to enable women and girls across the world (more focus on DCs) reap the benefits form the global growth in the digital economy particularly in STI. Clearly, women have an untapped potential as a primary mover of greater development in the world, but challenges remain. And so, reforms in economic, social, and political institutions must be made to create an enabling environment for women participation and empowerment. The conference will therefore aims to provoke forward thinking on the role of science, innovation and research in solving global problems related to sustainability as well as the potential of Industry 4.0 for the implementation of SDGs. While it is largely argued that Industry 4.0 has the potential to produce innovative solutions to global issues but the problematique of managing science, innovation and research for SD is strongly influenced by the institutional culture in which international discussions have taken place.
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.
WASD Team
- Prof. Allam Ahmed: Co-Chair and President WASD
- Janet Snow: International Coordinator and Editor