Roundtables
The conferences various roundtable tracks are listed below, but participants are not limited to this list and you may propose other relevant topics for your roundtable. We are keen to discuss as many as possible all the tracks listed below but due to the time limit, priority will be given to first confirmed roundtables. For more details about other research tracks for our future, please visit our research tracks page.
Security and Sustainable Development: future role of the Armed Forces in a Democratic Sudan
This roundtable is concerned with the mounting debate concerning the soundness and direction of security policies and aspires to reflect the inherently multidisciplinary character of the field. Security is increasingly being defined by nations not only in the conventional modes of military power, sovereignty and governmental stability, but also in terms of disciplines previously less fundamental: Economic Security; Energy Security; Environmental Security; Food Security; Health Security; Human Security; Resource Security; Security Development Nexus. Arguments of the merits and demerits of the utility of globalization abounds. Proponents of the neo-liberal approach posit that globalization has brought new opportunities. But arguably globalization has increasingly “diffuse insecurity” to the south and immensely facilitated increasingly complex, interconnected and unpredictable risks and threats to security. These developments and others are driven by diverse and interconnected set of underlying factors, including competition for energy, poverty, poor governance, demographic changes, climate change, information and communication technologies which have given rise to novel security conditions and dynamics. The roundtable will also discuss the role of the armed forces in supporting sustainable development within a democratic framework. It also discusses the relationship between the military and civilians from a cultural perspective. The session will discuss a proposal for a long term process to reform the armed forces as part of a long term peace process. The session will also provide suggestions on how the defence industry could catalyse the manufacturing industry in Sudan.
Role of multilateral institutions in sustainable development and the changing context of global politics
The global system in the 21st century has more state & non-state actors who face more global issues than ever before. This roundtable seeks to attract representatives of the various multilateral organisations that do work in Sudan and to give them the opportunity to share their views/perspectives/approaches/activities with respect to sustainable development in Sudan. Today, the goals and focus of regionalism have expanded to include not only economic, political, security, and social issues, but also the private sector and non-state actors in their activities. The ‘new’ regionalism approach to analysis & practice recognises non-state & non-formal even illegal transboundary relationships. While the meaning of new regionalism may refer to a variety of approaches and theories, underpinning it are numerous interrelated dynamics: a stronger construction among geographically contiguous states of their collective identity as cohesive regions; greater political intent by leaders to foster consolidation; and the perceived need to strengthen regional blocs as a means to integrate more effectively into the globalizing world economy.
Youth advocacy and sustainable development
The Sudan of tomorrow belongs to the youth of today, therefore it is necessary to observe and act on their issues, comments and concerns. The purpose of this session is to highlight the main topics of advocacy amongst youth and examine new and emerging methods of influencing policy and raising consciousness (eg media, IT), identify problematic areas and find solutions for message delivery, implementation of policy and programme longevity. The session will also discuss issues relating to gender equity and youth and the important role and contribution they are expected to make in the future Diasporic cultural development. Some of the other issues that can be discussed here relates to how youth and gender shape identities in the modern Sudan.
Health and sustainable development
The roundtable includes topics relating to the development of strategies for management of health and disease. Emphasis will be given to the topics like development of health policies for Sudan, biotechnological revolution in the current century, research on vaccine development, etc.
ICTs applications, knowledge management, human capital and development
This roundtable includes topics covering a broad spectrum of diverse topics in the fields of information technology and e-commerce, including the technological pace of change, the impact of technology, technological developments, e-commerce and dotcom on marketing, management and communication in businesses, innovative information technology research, interconnectiveness, database marketing, online marketing and marketing in the electronic age, to mention a few. The session will also focus on topics deal with matters linked to ICT, Human Capital and Development, Knowledge economy, knowledge management and issues related ICT and human capital role in development.
Oil, gas, renewables and coal technologies
This roundtable explores the future impact of Oil, Gas and Coal Technologies on Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development. As now the attention is on increasing energy production from renewable sources, future of petroleum industry would be in the petrochemical industries and non-fuel applications. Future refineries can be used as to produce feedstocks to petrochemical industries and integration of these industries is being studied by major oil companies. Conversion of petroleum to petrochemicals rather than fuels for transportation would be attractive from economical and environmental points of view. In this roundtable we are interested in having topics that address future directions for the oil, gas and coal industries with environmental and economical considerations in Sudan. This roundtable addresses issues that will be central to the contribution of Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) in the energy sector, technological upgradation, innovations, policies, strategies, best practices, political ecological and social implications and sustainable development.
Accounting, banking and finance
This roundtable will focus on topics that directly deal with issues relating to accounting, banking and finance. Contribution may be based on theoretical, empirical or case study analysis, with implications for sustaining and improving global competitiveness in both private and public organisations. This roundtable will focus on topics which directly address current issues in economic development, applied analyses of economic and financial issues including growth, trade, IMF and World Bank policies, financial liberalisation and matters which straddle both economic and finance problems relating to sustainable development.
Diasporic tourism, investment and brain circulation
This roundtable will examine the strategic opportunities from diasporic tourism and investment (the travel and tourism impact of diasporic communities). Under examination will be the challenges associated with this sub sector of Sudan tourism, and the potential wider impact on the Sudanese economy in terms of employment growth, foreign exchange earnings and the distribution of income. Recommendations will be explored on how local and diasporic enterprises and agencies can enhance diasporic tourism through ICTs and thereby expand market share in the sector. The roundtable will also examine the strategic opportunities for Sudan from brain circulation – the return migration and/or investment of professionals and other skilled labour. The roundtable will assess the existing and potential impact of brain circulation on the Sudanese economy and identify some of the challenges associated with facilitating the return of skilled resources and/or facilitating their investment.