ITANAGAR, Oct 27: The Department of Social Work at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) is organising a two-day national seminar on “Social Work Discourse on Sustainable Development in Northeast India” on October 27 and 28, marking a decade of academic excellence and community engagement since its establishment in 2015.
Sponsored by the North Eastern Council (NEC), the seminar has brought together around 200 academicians, researchers, social work professionals, development practitioners, representatives of non-governmental organisations and students from across the country to deliberate on sustainable and inclusive development in the Northeast.
The seminar provides a national platform to examine the role of professional social work in addressing contemporary developmental challenges, with discussions focusing on indigenous knowledge systems, ecological sustainability, youth empowerment, gender equality, health and mental health, social protection and sustainable livelihoods.
Presiding over the inaugural session, RGU Vice-Chancellor Prof Shivaraj stressed the importance of developing practical solutions to social problems and translating classroom learning into meaningful community engagement.
The first plenary session, titled “Social Work for Sustainable Development: Integrating Youth Empowerment, Ecological Justice and Inclusive Practice”, was chaired by Prof Sarathy. Speakers included Prof Prasanta Kumar Ghosh, formerly of Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan; Prof Kanagaraj Easwaran of Mizoram University; and Prof Ashvini Kumar Singh of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. The discussions centred on youth empowerment, ecological justice and transformative approaches to social work education, research and practice.
A thematic panel on “Health, Mental Health and Sustainable Communities”, chaired by Dr Kimneihat Vaiphei of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, examined the links between health, mental well-being, social vulnerability and community sustainability. The panel featured experts from Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Tezpur University, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Guwahati campus, and AIIMS Guwahati.
The second plenary session explored indigenous knowledge, youth livelihoods, mental health and gender perspectives in sustainable and inclusive development. Speakers included Prof Sukamal Deb of Anant National University, Ahmedabad; Dr Pradeep Ramavath Jayanaik of TISS Guwahati campus; P Thangsuan Hau of the ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Dibrugarh; and Adap Golo of the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission.
The deliberations highlighted the importance of indigenous knowledge, cultural diversity, community participation, ecological responsibility and inclusive development in shaping sustainable futures for the Northeast. Poster presentations on the first day also provided opportunities for academic exchange and student participation.
The seminar will conclude on Wednesday with the third plenary session, NGO interactions, technical sessions and the valedictory programme. The third plenary session, to be chaired by Prof Easwaran, will feature Dr Vaiphei, Madhabananda Ray of Tata Trusts and Trishna Lekharu of Pratham Education Foundation. Prof Sanjoy Roy of the University of Delhi will deliver the valedictory address.