By AIT Public Affairs
10 May 2024: SMARTS Center (South and South-East Asia Multidisciplinary Applied Research Network on Transforming Societies of Global South), at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) hosted the “2024 Dialogue of Civilizations on Climate Change and Emerging Economies” on 10 May 2024 with Northeastern University, Boston, USA.
Prof. Joyashree Roy, Distinguished Professor of AIT and Founder Director of the SMARTS Centre, welcomed the 40 participants from Northeastern University and SMARTS center researchers and expressed her confidence in positive outcome of such dialogues among youth and with experts on issues of global concern like climate change. She emphasized the importance of interactions and dialogue across various cultures and economies at various levels of economic development in gaining insights for equitable and just solutions to the pressing problems.
This event marks the 10th dialogue of Northeastern University led by Prof. Auroop Ganguly, with the participation of his students from diverse disciplines, including environmental science, international affairs, data science, economics, engineering, and SMARTS center researchers. The program aims to give students international exposure through study abroad programs focused on addressing climate change and its impact on emerging economies. Sessions are scheduled in Thailand, followed by Indonesia.
AIT President Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto emphasized AIT’s commitment to sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific through education, research, and outreach. He highlighted the institute’s research excellence in key areas, including climate change. Prof. Yamamoto also expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration between the SMART Centre and Northeastern University, led by Distinguished Prof. Joyashree Roy.
Prof. Yamamoto added, “It is inspiring to see students engaging with critical challenges through intergenerational dialogue. The youth will be navigating the planet’s changing climate in this century. AIT offers a space for diverse students to grow as global citizens with a local understanding, fostering mutual cooperation for peacebuilding. I hope this dialogue sparks dynamic discussions, idea exchanges, and new collaborations.”
Prof. Auroop Ganguly stressed the grand challenge of climate change and the need for collaboration to address it. He expressed enthusiasm for further collaboration with AIT.
Professor Ganguly emphasized the necessity of providing students with more global exposure, which is currently lacking in the education system. He highlighted the importance of international collaboration and addressing major challenges instead of working in isolated disciplines. Professor Ganguly stressed the need to promote interdisciplinary research to tackle significant issues such as climate change, which affects all sectors and requires collaborative efforts across various fields including science, engineering, social science, and economics. The ultimate objective is to promote global understanding and address major global problems through comprehensive, collaborative efforts.
Prof. Roy and Prof. Ganguly shared in detail the latest evidence and knowledge on scientific approaches, advancements in mitigation, adaptation, and sustainable development dimensions of climate change. Both emphasised the need and scope for inclusion of new advancements in disciplinary and cross disciplinary teaching and research to build human capacity to address the problem. The scope for new technology, new businesses, job opportunities and the possible role of citizens were also discussed and students actively engaged in interactive sessions and group work and question answer sessions. This dialogue explored themes aligned with global mission towards better living and human wellbeing within planetary boundary.
