Hyderabad: Academicians, social workers, development professionals, psychologists, students and professionals from across the world gathered at the ‘Building Positive Hope in a Post Pandemic World: An Asia Pacific Conference’ was inaugurated at the Bala Vikasa Center for Social and Responsible Business, Keesara on Wednesday. The conference that was organised by the Brisbane Institute of Strengths Based Practice, Australia in collaboration with Bala Vikasa to discuss various aspects that contribute to social change, community resilience and a hopeful future after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Padma Shri Dr Tripuraneni Hanuman Choudary, Founder of Center for Telecommunications & Media Studies, Dr Venkat Rao Pulla, President of Brisbane Institute of Strengths Based Practice, Shoury Reddy Singareddy, Executive Director of Bala Vikasa and Survi Srinivasa Goud, Chairman of the Organising Committee inaugurated the conference.
Dr Tripuraneni Hanuman Choudary graced the event as the chief guest and recalled the collective effort of everyone to help the world deal with the global health pandemic. Addressing the gathering he said, “If we look at history, every disaster has been an opportunity to do something better. Information and Communications Technology had been instrumental in changing the world, especially during and after the pandemic. With the advancement of technology, the intellectual capacities of humans will be tremendously enhanced which will make the world a much better place to live in.”
The keynote speaker, Dr Vishanthie Sewpaul, Professor Emeritus, University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN), Durban, South Africa spoke in detail on COVID-19 and the ‘Infrapolitics of Power: Awakening Individual and Societal Consciousness for a Sustainable, Resilient and just Post-Pandemic World’. During her address, she made reference to the People’s Charter for Eco-Social Development and stated the values that bring the society together include love, respect, harmony, solidarity, inclusion, collaboration and ubuntu. “The path of development is in mobilising and working with communities and not for communities,” she stated.
Dr. Sewpaul urged for a shift from complex academic approaches to methods that involve both critique and action. Additionally, she discussed how each person is a part of nature and emphasised the need for self-awareness in the context of social and environmental issues.
The discussions and presentations during the conference focused on Gender and Education, Community Development, Curriculum Development and Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Child Welfare Challenges and Response, Entrepreneurship and others.
Renowned academicians and social workers Annie-Marie Morgan, Dean of Programs (Education Futures), University of South Australia, Richard Hill, Former President of the Global Association for Interpersonal Neurobiology Studies (GAINS), Australia; Dr Sudarshan Pasupuleti, Professor, Social Work Department at University of Toledo, USA; Sanjai Bhatt, National Association of Professional Social Workers of India, Dr Venkat Rao Pulla, President of Brisbane Institute of Strengths Based Practice and Shoury Reddy Singareddy, Executive Director of Bala Vikasa also shared their inputs on building positive and hopeful future post the COVID-19.
