CSSP Talk on Science Diplomacy for Sustainable Development in South Asia: Need and Opportunities, by Prof Paul van Gardingen, FRSA; 16th September at 3.00P.M.

Centre for Studies in Science Policy

School of Social Sciences, JNU

Invites you to

Talk on

Science Diplomacy for Sustainable Development in South Asia: Need and Opportunities

By

Prof Paul van Gardingen, FRSA

UNESCO Chair in International Development, University of Edinburgh, UK

Director, UK's Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation (ESPA)

Venue:  Room No. 227, 2^nd Floor, SSS-1

Time:   3.00- 5.00 P.M.

Date:    Wednesday, 16^th September 2015

Abstract: Sustainable development has emerged as a key development framework to promote and strengthen development which is integrated, inclusive and ensures inter-generational equity. Efforts towards this end have resulted in the design of many ambitious and result-oriented programmes to better identify sustainable development needs and priorities at the local and regional levels across countries. Year 2015 is a watershed moment for all these efforts as global and national leaders will discuss a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the upcoming United Nations Sustainable Development Summit (25-27 September, 2015). Better and informed engagement among citizens, scientists, policymakers, private sectors and a whole range of other stakeholders is essential for collective action on and progress towards these goals. These goals are of critical importance in a rapidly developing south Asian region where resources, goods and services are shared across political boundaries. How can Science & Technology (S&T) and the scientific and research community can contribute to the political and diplomatic engagement and action on SDGs across this region? And how can science diplomacy efforts be better supported in south Asia through regional cooperation on science and research, capacity enhancement and policy-practice engagement?

About the Speaker: Prof Paul van Gardingen is the UNESCO Chair of International Development at the University of Edinburgh, UK and Director of the UK's Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation (ESPA) global research programme. He is one of the leading international scholar in sustainable development and advises many UK Research Councils, government departments, development donors (like World Bank and DFID) and national governments on promoting research, science and innovation for international development cooperation. He has facilitated the design and implementation of many environment and development focused global research programmes on environment, forestry and natural resources management (NRM). He was instrumental in the overall design of the Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation (ESPA), an innovative global research programme funded by UK's DFID and two research councils (NERC and ESRC) in more than 50 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. As Director-ESPA, he also oversees and guides the research-policy-practice engagement activities to promote evidence-informed decisions on sustainable management of natural resources for poverty alleviation and human well-being.

All are welcome to attend the lecture.

Coordinators, CSSP Lecture Series