Dr. A.S. Senthi Vadivel: IAGR Conference 2024
Former Deputy Director General (P & A) GSI, National Resource Person, Training Division, Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Government of India, Email: senthivadivel@gmail.com
Short Bio:
Dr. A. S. Senthi Vadivel is an esteemed academic and professional with significant contributions to education and research. He has delivered over twenty invited lectures as a Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, Panel Member, and Chairman of technical sessions at various universities, training institutes, and both national and international conferences and seminars. Dr. Senthi Vadivel has extensive expertise in his field, having been recognized for his leadership and participation in numerous academic events. Currently based in Hyderabad, India, Dr. Senthi Vadivel is active in both academic and professional circles, with a focus on contributing to higher education and fostering knowledge exchange. He can be reached via email at senthivadivel@gmail.com for academic and professional inquiries.
Title of talk: Achieving Sustainable Development Goals: An Integrated Geo-Governance Approach
Abstract
Geo-governance is a multidisciplinary field encompassing various disciplines such as Geology, Geography, Environmental Science, Public Policy, Environmental Law, Environmental Economics, and Political Science. Recent research in Geo-governance has typically been discipline-specific or, at best, interdisciplinary, focusing primarily on areas like disaster risk reduction, environmental protection, or natural resource conservation. However, the current demand is for truly interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary research in Geo-governance, which can support decision-making and public policy processes in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) globally, and particularly in India. The data trends indicate that the world is significantly off course in meeting the targets of the 2030 Agenda. Research highlights that one contributing factor is the ongoing competition for dominance among Scientists, Technologists, and Social Scientists. This paper advocates for a Geo-governance approach from the perspective of a Geographer, who, as a versatile researcher, acts as a scientist, technologist, and social scientist. This approach is essential for achieving SDGs. In India, the role of Central, State, and Local Governments in achieving SDGs largely depends on the findings and recommendations provided by researchers and policymakers. With nearly a decade passed, progress towards these goals has been below expectations, raising concerns that India’s commitment of achieving the 2030 targets require a dedicated special drive. To address this, there is an urgent need for coordinated efforts that bridge the gap between Scientists, Technologists, and Policymakers. This paper emphasizes the Geographers integrated approach towards achieving SDGs, highlighting their role as a scientist, social scientist and technologist. It also suggests strategic actions to ensure that India’s commitments to the SDGs are met, fostering the development of a resilient and content society.
Keywords: Geo-governance, Resilience Society, Sustainable Development Goals, Social Scientist, Geographer.
