June 3 & 4, 2012, University of Calgary, Alberta

Scientific and technological research can and has contributed significantly to solving sustainability and development challenges in our world today. As an important complement to this research, a better understanding of the human and social dimensions of science and technology is essential in order to ensure that new scientific ideas are applied appropriately in diverse cultural contexts, and support improvements that are equitable among and within nations. It is therefore essential that the relationships between science, technology, and society be integrated into the broader sustainability and development research agenda.

The rapid changes that our contemporary societies are undergoing today in response to a series of distinct but interrelated dynamics, among which are advances in science and technology, offer the potential for social change conducive to peace, nonviolence, sustainable development, justice and respect for human rights. However, if pressures such as demographic change, urbanization, competition for scarce resources, migration and diversity are inadequately managed, they may also give rise to major challenges such as intolerance and conflict. In order to analyze such challenges, to make sense of their implications and to respond to them adequately, the resources of the social and human sciences are indispensable. Similarly, humanities studies, which have a crucial role in promoting critical thinking, have a major contribution to make to global, regional and national responses to contemporary social and ethical challenges faced by major strides of scientific and technological advancements.

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES:

• To provide the opportunity for colleagues from humanities, social sciences, and science and technology disciplines to have dialogues on significant issues involving Canada-India research and scholarly collaborations around the major theme of the conference.
• To showcase the current India-focused research and scholarly activities being conducted by the faculty and researchers at Canadian Universities.
• To bring together representatives from Academy, Industry, Government, and Non-governmental Organizations to reflect on the strategic directions for Canada-India academic, economic, and business collaborations.

For more information about this and other conferences hosted by the Shastri Institute, please click here.