By Kritagya Regmi, AIT Public Affairs
27 June 2025 – The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) took part as an academic partner in the International Conference on Nation-Building, Wellness & Peace upon Morality (ICNWP) 2025, organized by the Nation-Building Institute International (NBII) and held from June 25–27 in Bangkok, Thailand. This year’s theme, “Nation-Building, Wellness, and Peace in the Ageing World,” focused on how countries can address the growing challenges of ageing populations through inclusive policies, sustainable development, and cross-sector collaboration.
The convention brought together global leaders, policymakers, academics, and innovators to discuss the connections between nation-building, wellness, and sustainable peace. The aim was to promote inclusive development, social harmony, and practical policy solutions that support stability and prosperity, especially as the world faces the realities of ageing societies.
In line with AIT’s active role, Dr. Tobias Endress, Assistant Professor at the School of Management, served as moderator for the session “Economic Restructuring for Longevity: Nation-Building Strategies in the Age of Centenarians.” Mr. Russell Rein, Vice President for Administration at AIT, participated as one of the panelists.
The session explored how nations can adapt economic and labor policies to support longer working lives and foster intergenerational cooperation. Key discussion points included the development of the silver economy, the impact of AI and robotics on employment opportunities for older adults, and strategies to ensure that the benefits of technological advancements are widely shared across society.
The panel featured a distinguished lineup, including H.E. Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Former Minister of Commerce of Bangladesh; Prof. Dr. Suthiphand Chirathivat, Professor Emeritus of Economics at Chulalongkorn University and Chairman of the Chula Global Network; Mr. Thibault Danjou, International Consultant and Member of the Investment Committee of Phitrust Asia; and Prof. Huang Ronghuai, Dean of the Smart Learning Institute at Beijing Normal University and Director of the National Engineering Research Center for Cyberlearning and Intelligent Technology, China.
Additionally, Dr. Endress moderated the session “Innovations for Wellness: Harnessing Technology for Ageing Well,” which examined how emerging technologies such as telemedicine, smart homes, and wearable health devices can enhance the health, independence, and quality of life for older adults. The discussion addressed critical issues, including accessibility, ethics, and inclusive design in deploying these technologies.
The session featured prominent speakers, including H.E. Masaharu Nakagawa, Former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan; Asst. Prof. Dr. Polakit Teekakirikul, CEO of VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center and Chief Strategy Officer at Bumrungrad Hospital; Ms. Grace Chan, Business Director at the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and International Vice President of the International Federation on Ageing; and Prof. Dr. Shashank Kraleti, Professor and Chair of the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine and Senior Vice President at UAMS Health Network.
In addition, Prof. Mokbul Morshed Ahmad, Professor and Head of the Department of Development and Sustainability at the School of Environment, Resources and Development, served as moderator for the session “Harmony or Discord: Addressing Intergenerational Tensions in Modern Society.” The session focused on understanding the root causes of intergenerational conflicts and explored strategies to build cooperation between generations through equitable policies and open dialogue.
The panel featured a diverse group of experts, including Dr. Carole Easton, Chief Executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, England; Assoc. Prof. Gizem Günçavdı Alabay, Associate Professor at Bursa Uludağ University, Turkey; Mr. M. Abdus Sabur, Co-Director of the International Institute of Peace and Development Studies and Secretary General of the Asian Resource Foundation; Mr. Mandar Apte, Founder and Executive Director of Cities4Peace, India; Asst. Prof. Dr. Kusuma Kooyai, Director of the Institute for Peace Studies at Prince of Songkla University; and Prof. Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, Senior Fellow and Executive Director of the South Asia Foresight Network (SAFN) at The Millennium Project, Washington DC, USA.
AIT has been an academic partner of the International Conference on Nation-Building and World Peace (ICNWP) since 2021, reflecting the institute’s commitment to fostering global dialogue on critical societal issues. The institute’s participation at this year’s conference, as in previous years, was coordinated by Dr. Sumana Shrestha, Director of International Affairs at the Office of International and Public Affairs (OIPA). AIT attendees included by Dr. Naveed Anwar, Adjunct Faculty at the Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology; Dr. Donald M. Ugsang, President of the AIT Alumni Association (AITAA); and Ms. Indra Kumari, Senior Program Officer at International Affairs, OIPA.
Photo Credit: INCWP
