RC 35 Technology and Development

1998-2007 Past Activities

Following Mid-Congress Conferences (1998 - 2007) were organized in Africa, Asia (South), Latin America, Russia, and the USA:

  1. Regional Conference held at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, 7-10 June 1998, on TECHNOLOGY, DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: A REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE.  The Research Committee 35 and the Department of Geography and Urban Planning at the University of Ibadan organized this mid-Congress conference jointly.  About 45 persons took part, most of them from Calabar, Agoiwoye, NSukka, and Lagos. Nine major papers were presented on such topics as deforestation, role of women in agricultural development, water pollution, human rights, and environment and civil strife.  Out of this conference, two papers were published in the book Deforestation, Environment and Sustainable Development: A Comparative Analysis edited by Dhirendra K. Vajpeyi.  Due to the lack of funding, the conference proceedings were not published, however, some individual papers were published in journals and edited books. 

  2. A Regional Conference was organized in Vietnam, June 2000, co-sponsored by the RC 35 and three universities of Vietnam:  the University of Dalat, University of Fisheries at Danang, and the University of Finance at Ho Chi Minh City.  Topics discussed included international trade and the environmental issues, and sustainable development.

  3. Regional Conference held at the University of Tarapaca, Chile, August 17-20, 2001.  The conference was a follow-up of our RC 35 mid-conference held in Arica, Chile March 16-18, 1993.  The conference was co-sponsored by the International Program of the University of Tarapaca, the International Program of the University of Northern Iowa, USA, and the IPSA RC 35.  Fifty participants from Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, and Mexico attended the meeting.  Participants included academics but also policy makers, NGOs, businessmen, and local officials.  Topics discussed included: relationship between business and the environment, fisheries, deforestation, development ethics, and the role of NGOs. 

  4. The third mid-congress conference took place in Jaipur, India, December 6-8, 2002, when the Research Committee 35 hosted an International Conference on SUSTAINABLE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT:  CHALLENGES FOR TECHNOLOGY, DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE, hosted by the Department of Political Science, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur (India).  FIVE Technical Sessions, and Two Plenary sessions took place.  In all 37 research papers were presented, and approximately 140 scholars from South Asia, Western Europe, and Americas took part in its proceedings. Sub-themes: (a) Green Governance,  (b) Eco Justice, (c) Eco-Feminism, (d) Sustainable Development, (e) Eco-Democracy, and (f) Impact of horticulture and plantation of Sustainable Human Development were addressed at the Conference.   Dr. Inakshi Chaturverdi of Jaipur (India) was Conference Director.  The Conference received messages from the Vice President of India, the Governor of Rajasthan State, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan State, and also from various other dignitaries.  The Conference was inaugurated by the Governor of Karnataka State (India). Members of several NGOs expressed their views and concerns related to the challenges which technology revolution has brought to bear upon the process of democratization and socio-economic justice.  The Conference also dealt with the impact of globalization on sustainable development in general, and poverty reduction strategies for developing nations in particular. The Conference Director Dr. (Mrs.) Inakshi Chaturvedi has edited 15 selected (peer reviewed) papers.

  5. A seminar/conference was held in October (12th - 14th) 2004 at the Herzen State Pedagogical University in St. Petersburg, Russia, under the leadership of Dr. Valentina Smorgunova, Dean, Faculty of Law.  Following themes were discussed:
    1. Technology, Development and Democracy
    1. Women, Sustainable Development and Democracy
    2. Democracy, Trade and Technology
    3. Democratic Governance and Sustainable Development in a Global Context
  6. On April 3-4, 2007, the RC 35 under the leadership of Dr. Fernando Barrio cosponsored a regional meeting at the Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri (USA). Papers were presented on the following topics:
    1. Technoilogy and Sustanable Development: Bridging the Digital Divide
    2. Globalization of Itellevtual Property in Developing Countries
    3. Freedom of Expression and Internet
    4. Bio-Technology and Development
    Scholars from Turkiye, Russia, Mexico, Nigeria, and USA participated in the Conference. Dr. Barrio is to edit the selected papers.

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