Living in an era where great power competition has returned, with countries locked in acrimony and strategic rivalry, and coming close on the heels of the Covid-19 pandemic, India has cemented itself as the leader of the comity of nations that eschews such polarization, and displays congruence in unique interests, problems, and insights. Espousing a multilateral and issue-based orientation, India’s presidency of the G20 and leadership of the Voice of the Global South summit testifies to this manifestation of India’s centrality in navigating such times of trials and tribulations.
Spearheading a group that represents around 85% of the world's GDP and is responsible for 75% of global trade, India has a pivotal role in shaping the global trajectories of a variety of crucial agendas including digital transformation, infrastructure development, and sustainable development.
The Hindu-Observer Research Foundation (ORF) Policy Conclave is aimed at taking the pedagogic discourse beyond the confines of classrooms and assist students in grappling with the current socio-political affairs of the world. In partnership with the Observer Research Foundation, the Ministry of External Affairs and the G20 Secretariat, the Conclave is based on the theme – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam-Symphonizing Voices across the Globe. The underlying goal is to build a platform for creative dialogue that bridges the gap between the foreign policy establishment, the research community and students at large, bringing together domain experts and public intellectuals on a single platform.
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9:15 am - 10:30 am |
Inaugural SessionWelcome Remarks: Chandrachur Singh, Teacher-in-Charge, Department of Political Science, Hindu College, University of Delhi Inaugural Ministerial Address: Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs; Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India Moderator: Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation, Member, T20 India Core, Chair, T20 India Secretariat Special Address: Muktesh Pardeshi, Special Secretary, G20 India Vote of Thanks: Harsh Pant, Vice President, Observer Research Foundation |
| 10:30 am- 10:45 am | Break |
| 10:45 am- 11:35 am 10:45 am-10:55 am 10:55 am-11:05 am 11:05 am- 11:35 am |
Plenary 1 | Voices of Multilateralism in the 21st CenturyMultilateralism is critical to create a just and rules-based international order and leverage the voices of nations, both big and small. At a time when the conflict in Ukraine, and the larger geostrategic churn of the US-led QUAD and a resurgent China have made multilateral Researching difficult, it becomes all the more imperative to find newer avenues of opportunity to bridge these crevices and contradictions. Student Presentation Anjana Benny, Third year Soumya Maan, First year Special Address: Lakshmi Puri, Former Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations, Former Deputy Executive Director, UN Women. Panelists Sujan R. Chinoy, Chair, T20 India Core Group, Director General, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP- IDSA) Adrian Haack, Director, KAS India Branch Office Moderator: Harsh Pant, Vice President, ORF |
| 11:35 am- 11:50 am | Tea Break |
| 11:50 am- 12:40 pm 11:50 am- 12:00 pm 12:00 pm- 12:10 pm 12:10 pm- 12:40 pm |
Plenary 2 | Voices for LiFE and Attaining SDGsWhile humanity and sensitivity are often touted as intrinsic to our nature, the current global predicament has provided these anthropocentric ideals with a much wider perspective in the form of ‘Biotic Sensitivity’ and ‘SDGs- Sustainable Development Goals’. It has encompassed macro-level negotiations over climate financing, nationally determined contributions, net-zero commitments to more micro-notions of ‘LiFE - promoting an environmentally conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilization’. It thus isn't an exaggeration to state that climate change and ancillary concerns constitute the zeitgeist of our present times. In this context, SDGs provide an overarching blueprint for peace and prosperity. It banks on the vision of 'leaving no one behind' which can be accomplished through expanded partnerships of both traditional and non-traditional actors. Student Presentation Ishita, Third year Suchit Goel, First year Special Address: Eenam Gambhir, Joint Secretary, G20 Secretariat, Ministry of External Affairs Panelists: Shamika Ravi, Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister Sabyasachi Saha, Associate Professor, Research and Information System for Developing Countries Moderator: Sunaina Kumar, Executive Director, T20 Secretariat, Senior Fellow, ORF |
| 12:40 pm - 13:30 pm 12:40 pm- 12:50 pm 12:50 pm- 13:30 pm |
Plenary 3 | Voices for Bridging Digital DividesAs technology continues to increasingly shape and transform our world, it is imperative that the fruits of technological advancements are shared equitably, and efforts are made to bridge the digital divide. The world is witnessing decisive competition and the attempts to achieve dominance will require a quest for increased self-sufficiency in Artificial Intelligence and other critical technologies like Robotics, cybersecurity and the stability of global supply chains as technological supremacy is the sine qua non of world domination. Therefore, it is crucial to take a kaleidoscopic perspective on the technologically and digitally driven compartments in which the world has been divided and reflect on whether the transformation of the world through the technology ordeal makes it more equal or heightens the ever-present inequities. Student Presentation Abhishek Mahour, Third year Dakshita, Third year Panelists: Saachi Bhalla, Senior Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Aakash Guglani, Senior Policy Associate, Digital India Foundation Moderator: Gautam Chikermane, Vice President, ORF |
| 13:30 pm- 15:20 pm | Lunch Break |
| 15:20 pm - 16:00 pm 15:20 pm-15:30 pm 15:30 pm- 16:00 pm |
Plenary 4 || Voices of Solidarity in the Global SouthThe Global South, representing 3/4th of the world's population, holds the largest stake in stabilizing great-power turbulence and shaping the future of our planet. As such, it is imperative that they have an equivalent voice in shaping the emerging order which will inevitably affect them the most. India, as an anchor of the developing world, plays a crucial role in leading this effort, having the G20 Presidency at this crucial juncture. Student Presentation Sonalika Ravi, Third year Salvi Ravi, First year Panelists: Shankar Prasad Sharma, Ambassador of Nepal to India Preeti Saran, Former Secretary (East), Member, UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Moderator: Chandrachur Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Hindu College |
| 16:00 pm- 16:30 pm | Valedictory Address: Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) |
