The conference will take place on April 13 and 14 at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Canada.
What is the Smart Global Development conference?
Across the world, universities play an integral role in the social, economic, political and cultural life of countries. They foster future leaders and professionals. They develop an informed and engaged citizenry that provides the foundation for democratic participation and good governance. Universities are drivers of social and economic development, repositories of cultural heritage, research centres for expanding human knowledge, and innovation hubs. They are institutions that enable countries to participate in global conversations on the most pressing issues facing our world.
In the Global South, the potential for universities to contribute directly and substantively to improved development, growth and governance outcomes is arguably greatest. Access to quality higher education opportunities in the Global South is essential to foster future leaders in sectors critical to growth and development; to build an informed and engaged citizenry; to advance policymaking and practice; and to address challenges particular to developing and emerging economies.
Despite that potential, higher education has received comparatively little support from the international development community over the past several decades – particularly in comparison to investments in primary education and basic health. On April 13-14, 2016 in Ottawa, Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), Academics Without Borders (AWB), and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) are convening the Smart Global Development conference: exploring the role of higher education in advancing sustainable development goals.
Bringing together leading global experts, thought leaders and practitioners, the Smart Global Development conference will:
- Examine the critical role of universities in advancing sustainable, inclusive social and economic development.
- Explore the larger role that universities in the Global South can play in supporting good governance, social justice, culture, and inclusive economic growth.
- Compare the range of approaches, policies and processes to strengthening higher education capacities in the Global South.
- Assess current efforts to gather, evaluate and communicate evidence of how investments in higher education contribute to improved development outcomes.
The Smart Global Development conference is undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.
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