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28 to 30 October 2023, ULAB Permanent Campus
26 to 28 October 2023, ULAB Permanent Campus
Vice Chancellor
Professor Imran Rahman is the Vice Chancellor of ULAB. This is his second term as Vice Chancellor, the previous term being 2012 to 2017. Alongside his regular duties as the VC, he oversees two key research centers of ULAB - Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) and Center for Enterprise and Society (CES) - and leads the university's international collaborations. He joined ULAB in 2006 as the Dean of Business. Later he held the positions of Pro-Vice Chancellor and Special Adviser to the Board of Trustees.
He was a faculty member of the Institute for Business Administration (IBA), Dhaka University from 1984 to 2009.
He co-founded a merchant bank in Dhaka in 1994 and led it for six years.
Doctoral Researcher
Manchester Business School, UK
MBA, Institute of Business Administration
University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
B.Sc. (Econ)
London, School of Economics and Political Science, UK
Professor & Director, Center for Sustainable Development (CSD)
Dr. Samiya Selim, Director and Professor, Center for Sustainable Development, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh. She has studied and worked in the UK for the past 12 years in the field of environment conservation, climate change, and sustainable development. Her specialization is in the areas of ecosystem-based management, sustainable livelihoods, socio-ecological systems, climate change adaptation and resilience, ecosystem services, and science-policy interface.
Visiting Research Fellow, Center for Sustainable Development(CSD)
Dr. Irfanullah is a part-time visiting research fellow of the Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) of ULAB. Over the past 19 years, he has evolved from being an algal taxonomist to an aquatic ecologist, from a conservationist to a development practitioner. At the current stage of his evolution, Dr. Irfanullah finds his niche in nature-people-knowledge nexus. Over these years, he has developed an interest in and understanding natural resource management, environmental governance, climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, technological innovation, and poverty alleviation – all focusing on human well-being. Dr. Irfanullah has worked for and has been associated with many national and international environmental, development, learning, and research organizations, donors, and government agencies in different capacities. He is also associated with many peer-reviewed journals, learned societies, funding agencies, and knowledge and professional networks. He helps his organizations with strategic direction and expert opinion; influencing policies and practices; planning, managing, and ensuring the quality of programs; and fundraising and financial management.
Director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD)
Dr. Saleemul Huq is the Director of the International Center for Climate Change & Development (ICCCAD) since 2009. Dr. Huq is also a Senior Fellow at the International Institute for Environment & Development (IIED), where he is involved in building negotiating capacity and supporting the engagement of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in UNFCCC including negotiator training workshops for LDCs, policy briefings, and support for the Adaptation Fund Board, as well as research into vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in the least developed countries. Dr. Huq has published numerous articles in scientific and popular journals, was a lead author of the chapter on Adaptation and Sustainable Development in the third assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and was one of the coordinating lead authors of ‘Inter-relationships between adaptation and mitigation in the IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report (2007). Prior to this, he was at the Bangladesh Center for Advanced Studies (BCAS) where he was in charge of the management and strategy of the organization. In 2000 he became an Academic Visitor at the Huxley School of Environment at Imperial College in London.
Professor, Institute of Geography and Sustainability, University of Lausanne
René Véron is a professor of social geography with primary interests in the field of development studies. His policy-oriented research addresses urban and rural environmental governance issues in the global South with a regional specialization in South Asia, where he has been involved in international collaborations since 1994.
Professor, School of Environment, Enterprise and Development, University of Waterloo
Prateep Kumar Nayak is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Environment, Enterprise, and Development and the Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Prateep’s academic background is in political science, environmental studies, and international development. He does transdisciplinary work with an active interest in combining social and ecological perspectives. Prateep’s research focuses on the understanding of complex human-environment connections (or disconnections) with particular attention to change, its drivers, its influence, and possible ways to deal with them. His main areas of expertise and interest include commons, governance, social-ecological system resilience, wellbeing, environmental justice, and political ecology. Currently, he teaches international development and the environment. In the past, Prateep worked as a development professional in India on issues around community-based governance of land, water, and forests, focusing specifically on the interface of research, implementation, and public policy. Prateep is a past Trudeau Scholar, a Harvard Giorgio Ruffolo Fellow in Sustainability Science, a recipient of Canada’s Governor General Academic Gold Medal, and SSHRC Banting Fellow.
School of Public Health, Master of Science, University of the Witwatersrand
Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Jenia, Assistant Professor at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, is a transdisciplinary researcher on water-society relations. She is currently engaged in several international projects to explore coastal risks and resilience dynamics in transboundary Sundarbans and urban deltas and wetlands from diverse settings (of the global North and South). She is the recipient of World Social Science Fellowship (2013), Australian Leadership Award Fellowship (2010 and 2015), Salzburg Global and Nippon Foundation Fellowship (2020), and Global CoreNet Award (2021) for her work on community livelihoods in the volatile delta ecologies of the global South. She is keen to coproduce knowledge in collaboration with other social stakeholders and identify creative communication strategies through which it can disseminate among wider communities, towards meaningful and sustained impacts.
Post-Doctoral Research Associate, School of Social & Environmental Sustainability, University of Glasgow
I am a Doctor of Geography with a background in environmental geography and ethno-ecology based on extensive field experience in South and Southeast Asia. I defended my PhD on community adaptation to flooding and erosion in Brahmaputra floodplain, Assam, North East India in 2014. I’m conducting research on community engagement in river and coastal ecosystems management, multi-hazard risk assessments with a critical approach and integration of local knowledge into environmental policies. My goal is to support communities in harnessing their knowledge to support sustainable agro-ecological practices in floodplains and coastal areas. I have an experience in project coordination on river management in the Dordogne basin (France) and as leader of the risk assessment working group within the UKRI hub GCRF Living Deltas. I enjoy organizing activities with communities using participatory mapping that I digitize and combine with satellite and statistical data in a GIS. I also make documentary films with the communities to make their voices heard.
Social Scientist, Leader of Social-Ecological Systems (SES) Analysis , Leibniz Centerfor Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT)
Dr. Marion Glaser is a senior social scientist at the Center for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT), Bremen University, Germany, trained at the Universities of Cologne, Bath, and London. She worked in the U.K., Bangladesh, Belize, and Brazil in agriculture, forestry, flood control, and coastal management. She coordinated the socio-economic group of the Brazilian Mangrove Dynamics and Management (MADAM) program, co-founded the ZMT Social-Ecological Systems (SES) Analysis Group, and now coordinates the “Governance and Management of Coastal Social-Ecological Systems” Project of the SPICE (Science for the Protection of Indonesian Coastal Ecosystems) program.
Her research themes are participatory analysis, environmental governance, and transdisciplinary sustainability/resilience analysis. She (co-) authored over 50 articles and books. How transdisciplinary methods including modelling combine different forms of social-ecological knowledge and how regional models can be integrated into global scenarios are work foci Marion brings into LOICZ Topic 1 on social-ecological systems.
Conference Convenor:
Prof. Samiya Selim
Director, CSD, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh.
Welcome Speech:
Professor Kaiser Hamidul Haque
Dean of School of Arts and Humanities, ULAB
Special Guest:
Dr. Kazi Anis Ahmed
Board of Trustee, ULAB
Special Guest:
Prof. Saleemul Huq
Director, International Center for Climate Change and Development.
Special Guest:
Corinne Henchoz Pignani
Deputy Head of Corporation, Embassy of Switzerland
Keynote Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder
Dean, Faculty of Science Stamford University Bangladesh ; Founding Chairman, Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies
Chief Guest:
Engr. Mohammad Hossain
Director General, Power Cell, Ministry Of Power Energy and Mineral Resources
Establishing a loss and damage fund has, however, been very challenging. Less than 100 days left before COP 28 begins in Dubai. The Transitional Committee set up by the UNFCCC is tasked with coming up with ways to establish a loss and damage fund.
This session will look into other creative methods that can be used to create a loss and damage fund. The session will explore innovative funding mechanisms such as the International Air Passenger Levy, Bunker Fuel Levy, Windfall taxes on fossil fuel companies to contribute to the setting up of a fund that can be utilized for funding for loss and damage.
The session will thus aim to discuss innovative funding mechanism to create a loss and damage fund. The session will answer the following questions.
1. What creative ways can activists, governments and NGOs call for to create a fund for loss and damage. Mapping out the industries that can be made to pay for the loss and damage fund.
2. How much finance can such initiatives contribute to for the loss and damage fund.
3. Likely challenges and ways to tackle establish those challenges.
Bangladesh has achieved substantial economic growth over the last decade, establishing itself as a country with significant development potential. Bangladesh understands the necessity for major industrialisation to fulfill its aim of transitioning from a least developed nation to a high-income country by 2041. However, this expansion must be sustainable and conscious of the impact on tax/duty levies and worldwide market competitiveness. The current strong reliance on a single industry (readymade garment sector), along with rising energy demands, necessitates a diversification of industries with innovation and a comprehensive energy plan. Furthermore, the country’s commitment to combating climate change necessitates a greater emphasis on renewable energy usage. In this perspective, incorporating the shift from a traditional energy source to renewable sources is of paramount importance.
The objective of this roundtable is to bring together industry actors and key stakeholders from different industrial sectors, government bodies, academia, development sector, and technology experts to explore and strategize ways to promote sustainable industrial growth in Bangladesh through increased renewable energy integration as an innovative way to shift from traditional fossil fuel use.
Toward a common conceptual framework: how climate change, poverty, and mental health tangle together?
Climate change exacerbates poverty and many social and environmental risk factors for human mental health problems. Climate change acts as an amplifier for both poverty and the worsening mental health situation across the globe. Climate change impacts, including shifting weather patterns, sea level rise, and extreme weather events, are directly affecting people’s livelihoods and pushing them further into poverty. Climate change disproportionately affects the poor and the most vulnerable, especially in lower-income countries. By 2030, an estimated 100 million people are projected to fall into poverty due to climate change and its associated impacts. In recent times, mental health crisis have emerged as yet another outcome of the global climate crisis. The IPCC has noted that the rapidly worsening climate crisis poses a growing threat to mental health and psychological well-being. However, the scientific exploration of the link between climate change and mental health is a relatively new area of interest, with most discussions falling within the health frameworks of emergency and disaster management. There is a growing call for further exploration beyond the health framework to mainstream the mental health crisis within the broader context of socioeconomic and climate change actions.
Initial scoping research findings indicate that communities attribute their mental health problems to challenging immediate economic conditions caused by extreme weather events, such as flash floods, erratic rainfall, heatwaves, and salinity intrusion, among others. Communities perceive the mental health burden as a direct outcome of the sudden disruption in their livelihoods. These initial findings align with the limitation of solely using a health framework for emergency and disaster management response, particularly in the context of rapid-onset climate disasters. It often undermines the critical causal link among climate change, poverty, and mental well-being.
The goal of this session is to critically analysis the complex relationship among climate change, poverty and health and pave a way forward to developing a conceptual framework that encompasses climate change, poverty and mental health challenges into a single analytical framework.
This session will be divided into three sub sessions, each sub session will be focused on specific outcome leading to the development of the conceptual framework on climate change, poverty and mental health.
Toward a common conceptual framework: how climate change, poverty, and mental health tangle together?
Climate change exacerbates poverty and many social and environmental risk factors for human mental health problems. Climate change acts as an amplifier for both poverty and the worsening mental health situation across the globe. Climate change impacts, including shifting weather patterns, sea level rise, and extreme weather events, are directly affecting people’s livelihoods and pushing them further into poverty. Climate change disproportionately affects the poor and the most vulnerable, especially in lower-income countries. By 2030, an estimated 100 million people are projected to fall into poverty due to climate change and its associated impacts. In recent times, mental health crisis have emerged as yet another outcome of the global climate crisis. The IPCC has noted that the rapidly worsening climate crisis poses a growing threat to mental health and psychological well-being. However, the scientific exploration of the link between climate change and mental health is a relatively new area of interest, with most discussions falling within the health frameworks of emergency and disaster management. There is a growing call for further exploration beyond the health framework to mainstream the mental health crisis within the broader context of socioeconomic and climate change actions.
Initial scoping research findings indicate that communities attribute their mental health problems to challenging immediate economic conditions caused by extreme weather events, such as flash floods, erratic rainfall, heatwaves, and salinity intrusion, among others. Communities perceive the mental health burden as a direct outcome of the sudden disruption in their livelihoods. These initial findings align with the limitation of solely using a health framework for emergency and disaster management response, particularly in the context of rapid-onset climate disasters. It often undermines the critical causal link among climate change, poverty, and mental well-being.
The goal of this session is to critically analysis the complex relationship among climate change, poverty and health and pave a way forward to developing a conceptual framework that encompasses climate change, poverty and mental health challenges into a single analytical framework.
This session will be divided into three sub sessions, each sub session will be focused on specific outcome leading to the development of the conceptual framework on climate change, poverty and mental health.
As a signatory of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Bangladesh embraced the blue
economy idea with the ocean as providing ‘development spaces’. However, in the face of an accelerating
environmental crisis along with dwindling coastal and marine resources, and deteriorating climate and
social inequalities in Bangladesh, the concepts of ‘blue growth’ and ‘blue justice’ have also emerged in
coastal and marine resource management and ocean governance. If potentials from coastal and marine
resources are to be sustainably accessible, blue growth calls for blue justice, and, in particular, socially
just and environmentally sustainable ocean harvesting is required. This session of the 6 th CSD conference
offers recent observations and research findings on local resource-users’ discourses including the voices
of marginalized women, and on the perceptions of blue governance networks and international sustainable
financing into these intertwined themes in a comprehensive way with a way forward thought.
Whether Blue Growth is ecologically sustainable needs to be carefully assessed. What is clear,
however, is that ocean equity (or socially just ocean use, and governance) is central if blue growth is to be
viable. Blue justice needs to address historical injustice by adopting a comprehensive consideration of
marginalized people in decision-making. This session asks:
– What are the conflicts and trade-offs between ocean-based economic growth, and environmental and
social sustainability and how can these be taken into account in equitable Blue Economy
development?
– How can we promote equity-focused ocean policy frameworks and governance mechanisms?
– Which roles can be played by collaboration, education, and research to ensure blue justice?
This session provides a platform for stakeholders from government, non-government, supranational
organizations, academics and researchers, civil society, and private sectors to access very recent scientific
results and to collaboratively brainstorm in an inter- and transdisciplinary debate that is informed by and
expert insights in terms of how to support a transformative drive towards sustainable harvesting and
protection of the ocean in Bangladesh.
Discourse analysis using Q methodology in South-eastern coastal Bangladesh.
Displacement experiences of Maheshkhali women: an arts project.
Blue governance network in Bangladesh: understanding absence and exploring strategies.
International sustainable finance and implications for coastal communities in the Asia Pacific.
Strongly anchored in local communities, small-scale fisheries reflect a way of life, and they provide critical contributions to society, economy, culture and environment. Yet, their multiple benefits and contributions are often overlooked as many SSF communities remain economically and politically marginalised, are highly vulnerable to change, and until recently, remained largely invisible in policy debates in most countries and internationally. These factors, together with increasing vulnerability due to climate, environmental, economic and policy drivers have contributed to an emerging global crisis in small-scale fisheries. However, the survivability of many small-scale fisheries suggests they possess certain strengths and forms of resilience which remain less studied and poorly understood. While these strengths cannot be taken for granted, a holistic understanding of what causes vulnerability and what makes small-scale-fisheries viable is required.
The goal of the panel is to critically examine the diverse factors and conditions contributing to the vulnerability of small-scale fisheries, and to reflect on ways that are crucial to enhance their viability. We use the terms vulnerability and viability not just in an economic sense but also to include social, political, and ecological aspects of small-scale fisheries. Just as it is possible for communities to move from vulnerability conditions toward situations of viability, a process in which they can revert back to forms of vulnerability from being viable is possible. It is important to examine and understand this multidimensional and multidirectional nature of how small-scale fisheries communities move between being vulnerable and viable in the pursuit of resilient and sustainable fishery social-ecological systems. In this panel session, researchers from the V2V Global Partnership in Asia, representing Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand, will present country-specific detailed case studies focusing on the key dimensions and directions on how small-scale fisheries communities are transitioning between vulnerability and viability. Synthesis of the insights gained from the session will help in further characterising vulnerability to viability transition processes and possible pathways. An introductory paper will be presented by the session organisers. The session will emphasise that while small-scale fisheries will continue to remain vulnerable to multiple challenges, building on their existing strengths may be an effective strategy to increase viability.
Strongly anchored in local communities, small-scale fisheries reflect a way of life, and they provide critical contributions to society, economy, culture and environment. Yet, their multiple benefits and contributions are often overlooked as many SSF communities remain economically and politically marginalised, are highly vulnerable to change, and until recently, remained largely invisible in policy debates in most countries and internationally. These factors, together with increasing vulnerability due to climate, environmental, economic and policy drivers have contributed to an emerging global crisis in small-scale fisheries. However, the survivability of many small-scale fisheries suggests they possess certain strengths and forms of resilience which remain less studied and poorly understood. While these strengths cannot be taken for granted, a holistic understanding of what causes vulnerability and what makes small-scale-fisheries viable is required.
The goal of the panel is to critically examine the diverse factors and conditions contributing to the vulnerability of small-scale fisheries, and to reflect on ways that are crucial to enhance their viability. We use the terms vulnerability and viability not just in an economic sense but also to include social, political, and ecological aspects of small-scale fisheries. Just as it is possible for communities to move from vulnerability conditions toward situations of viability, a process in which they can revert back to forms of vulnerability from being viable is possible. It is important to examine and understand this multidimensional and multidirectional nature of how small-scale fisheries communities move between being vulnerable and viable in the pursuit of resilient and sustainable fishery social-ecological systems. In this panel session, researchers from the V2V Global Partnership in Asia, representing Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand, will present country-specific detailed case studies focusing on the key dimensions and directions on how small-scale fisheries communities are transitioning between vulnerability and viability. Synthesis of the insights gained from the session will help in further characterising vulnerability to viability transition processes and possible pathways. An introductory paper will be presented by the session organisers. The session will emphasise that while small-scale fisheries will continue to remain vulnerable to multiple challenges, building on their existing strengths may be an effective strategy to increase viability.
Organising a visual storytelling competition on SDGs among the students of ULAB will serve as an opportunity for the students to channel their creativity and passion (outside of their textbook) towards a purposeful cause. Visual storytelling holds the ability to transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries, conveying complex messages with simplicity and impact. Through the lens of visual storytelling, the students can explore and express their understanding of complex global challenges, devise innovative solutions, and communicate their ideas effectively to a broader audience.
Hosting competitions related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will act as a vital initiative for ULAB. This competition will offer a platform for students of ULAB to engage with some of the most pressing global challenges of the time. At the same time, the audience will have access to a visual representation of how SDGs can be portrayed through visual and creative storytelling processes. Altogether, this competition will empower students and the participants to become change-makers and equip them with the skills and motivation needed to create a sustainable and equitable future.
The GBM or Bengal river delta, with a population of 250 million relies predominantly on agriculture. In Bangladesh, agriculture accounts for 13% of the country’s GDP and employs 40% of the total labor force. Despite efforts, agricultural production systems remain mostly traditional and subsistence-based. The progress toward a sustainable and diversified agriculture is crucial for the overall development of the country. However, Indian and Bangladesh coastal areas are increasingly exposed to climate variabilities, such as frequent flooding, erratic rainfall, droughts, and salinity intrusion and affects the agriculture sector. Climate change, coupled with unsustainable agricultural practices, like shrimp farming, threatens future agricultural production, natural resource sustainability, and the integrity and quality of ecosystems.
In coastal Bangladesh, where land is only centimeters above sea level, large swathes of agricultural land are becoming degraded, and crop yields are shrinking due to increased salinity. This is impacting the livelihoods of millions. Therefore, Ecosystem-based Adaptation, the ultimate solution, uses biodiversity and ecosystem services to help people adapt to climate change, restoring ecosystems, improving food production, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for millions. Ecosystem-based agriculture/agroecology (EBA) not only has the potential to provide sustainable livelihoods for millions but also to protect ecosystems, prevent land degradation, restore degraded lands, and support biodiversity.
This session aims to critically reassess current ecosystem-based agriculture practices from both practitioners’ and academicians’ perspectives with two very specific objectives in mind; a) Challenges and opportunities of EBA adoption in Sundarbans delta b) EBA Knowledge mobilization for policy advocacy. By bridging practices and theories of ecosystem-based agriculture the proposed session will delve deep into the opportunities EBA offers in terms of livelihoods, ecosystem restoration, and biodiversity conservation, as well as the structural, logistical, policy, and governance challenges that EBA faces. Findings and learnings from this session will be compiled to develop a policy brief to share with stakeholders and policymakers.
This storytelling workshop will explore the interconnectedness among flood risks, associated human sufferings, and societies’ never-ending attempts to find solutions to fight inundation. Appreciating the tangled relationship between human and nature, the invited panelists and the audience will share personal examples of flood risks and uncertainties; diverse methods of flood risk management, including nature-based solutions; opportunities for community and youth engagement in them; and challenges around monitoring and evaluation, both in rural and urban contexts. This facilitated discussion will create a foundation for a community of practice to take the conversation forward. We encourage the participants to have access to relevant photographs to share during the session.
The positive contribution of knowledge, skills, and empathy to create a sustainable society has been studied by many researchers. A recent study conducted by CSD highlighted the role of empathetic skills in influencing sustainable behavior among individuals. The key results from this study highlight how education can support the development of empathic skills and leadership through education can build a more sustainable society, which will contribute positively toward a sustainable world.
This round-table discussion will aim to address the key issues on the role of education (at all levels) in mainstreaming sustainability in society through education. It will aim to answer the questions:
1. What is the ideal education curriculum/system that will result in sustainable behavior in the future?
2. How can sustainability education/SDGs be incorporated into the curricula?
3. Are the current practices effective? What are the challenges and scopes for improvement?
These questions will help identify the current state of sustainability education in Bangladesh and start a dialogue on how to move forward collectively for effective changes for a sustainable future.
Climate adaptation remains a top priority for a climate-vulnerable country like Bangladesh. Despite the progress, turning policies into actions still requires more focus and effort as Bangladesh demands that its economy become a low-carbon, green economy to combat the challenges of climate change. To assist the transition to a green economy, Bangladesh’s education and skill-development systems must be reoriented to match the growing need for job-related green skills.
Universities as centers of learning and innovation play a critical role in building lasting climate-related capacities around the world. To support climate-affected populations in Bangladesh, a more climate-sensitive workforce is needed by upskilling students, practitioners, and communities. As a first step to prioritizing and assessing the gaps, the employers will need to map and identify core competencies required such as green skills, adaptation processes, locally-led solutions, and fundamental managerial, technical, and foundational skills.
This interactive workshop aims to brainstorm with key stakeholders such as NGOs, academics, civil society actors, policy influencers, and the Government to co-design and co-develop innovative, practice-based, and contextualized curricula, training materials, and guides for green skills and climate adaptation.
688 Beribadh Road
Mohammadpur
Dhaka – 1207, Bangladesh