SOPOC 12: A Report

SOPOC 12: A REPORT

Nagindas Khandwala College, Malad (W), Mumbai organised International Seminar on the theme, ‘Society Politics and Climate Change’ (which was named as SOPOC 12) on 3^rd and 4^th December, 2012. ICSSR, Ministry of Earth Sciences, New Delhi and United States-India Educational Foundation had sponsored the event.

It was realised that there was a need to have a formal discussion on climate change as climate change has become a great matter of concern to the mankind. It was decided, by the Organising Committee of SOPOC 12, to address the issues related to Society, Politics and Climate Change with regard to:

§  the role and responsibilities of various stakeholders in the societies in combating climate change;

§  the institutional mechanism in local climate change governance;

§  the policy development and implication in development in reducing socio-economic and climate vulnerabilities in rural setting.

The Inaugural Session of SOPOC 12 held in Jagmohandas Gokaldas Memorial Hall on 3^rd December, 2012 at 10 am.  Dr. Moushumi Datta, Organising Secretary of the Seminar Introduced the Seminar and its themes. Principal Dr. Ancy Jose welcomed and introduced the Chief Guest Dr. Rajan Welukar, Vice-Chancellor of University of Mumbai. The Chief Guest Dr. Rajan Welukar formally inaugurated the Seminar by lighting the lamp.

The book titled, ‘Educational Techniques: Teaching, Learning and Quality Enhancement’ was officially released by Mr. Shantilal Chooniala, Chairman, MKES. The book is the first ISBN publication under the banner of Khandwala Publishing House, the official publishing unit of Nagindas Khandwala College.

Later on, Dr. Rajan Welukar addressed the gathering. He emphasized on the fact that the in view of natural resources we need to be self-reliant and the initiative of environment protection should start at our home and surrounding area. He expressed his views about the theme of the seminar and complimented the organisers on organizing the seminar on a pertinent topic.

Prof. T Jayaraman, Faculty, School of Habitat Studies, TISS, Mumbai delivered the Keynote Speech on ‘Between the Global and Domestic Equity in Climate Policy’. In his speech he expressed that the policy making with regard to climate change has got great social and economic value.

The inaugural session came to an end by proposing vote of thanks by Dr. G. K. Kalkoti. The session was compered by Dr. Moushumi Datta.

Post inaugural Session the First Technical Session began with a talk. Dr. Julie M. Muller of Northern Arizona University, USA delivered a talk on ‘Estimating Flagstaff Residents’ Willingness to Pay for Forest Restoration’. The second talk by Dr. Mathew Bradbury, Dept. of Landscape Architecture, Auckland, New Zealand on ‘Resilient Waterforms: Urban planning in an Age of climate Change’ helped understand the international issues related to climate change.

Post lunch break the Second Technical Session with a talk by Dr. Chirashree Ghosh, Dept. of Environmental Studies, University of Mumbai on the theme ‘Understanding Climate Change: Beyond Copenhagen’. Later on the parallel sessions for Paper presentations were made by the delegates in the Room number 402, 403 and 404 of the new building of the College.

On second day of the seminar, i.e. 4^th December, 2012, Third Technical Session started with a talk by Dr. Amita Aathavale, Faculty of KEM Hospital, Mumbai. She spoke on  on ‘Climate Change and Lung Health’.  Later on, Prof. Olawolu Oladunni Elizabeth of Department of Educational Foundation, Federal College of Education (Tech), Omaku, River State, Nigeria, Africa delivered a talk on ‘Imperative of Climate Change on Classroom Management In Adverse Climate Change Challenges: The Role of The Teachers’. The participants interacted with the resource persons and gained invaluable knowledge from the resource persons.

The Fourth Technical Session was also comprised of two talks on the important sub-themes of the Seminar. Dr. Sudha Srivastava, Professor, Department of Geography, University of Mumbai delivered a talk on ‘Changing Climate and Coastal Issues’. Mrs. Pamela Yvone Scheffler of Hawaii Community College, University of Hawaii spoke on ‘Climate Change In Hawaii: Past, Present And Future Scenarios’.

Post lunch, the paper presentations continued in the new building.

The Seminar was attended by 120 delegates from various recognized Colleges and Universities and research institutes of India and abroad. There were 80 paper presentations held in three technical sessions. The technical sessions were chaired by Dr. V S Phadke, Dr. Savismita Chavan, Dr. G. K. Kalkoti, Prof. Tapati Mukhopadhyay, Dr. Madhu Nair, Dr. H. M. Pednekar, Dr. Sudha Srivastava and Mr. Suresh Shetkar.

During the Seminar, Book Exhibition on Climate Change and allied subjects was organsied by Library and Information Centre.

Pre-Valedictory Session, Dr. M. Abul Kashem, Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh delivered Valedictory Talk on the theme: ‘Use of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) by the Rural Women in Bangladesh for the Production, Protection And Preservation Of Crops And Domestic Animals’.

The Seminar concluded with the Valedictory Session. Dr. Ancy Jose welcomed and introduced the Chief Guest Dr. Naresh Chandra, Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Mumbai and Dr. Shailendra Kumar Garg, Hon. Secretary, MKES. The participants gave their feedback. Dr. Moushumi Datta proposed Vote of Thanks. The Session was compered by Mr. Santosh C. Hulagabali. The Certificate for participants were issued at the Reception Lobby of the Conference Room.