A two-day International Conference began at RU today. Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, Sept 12, 2025 (BSS) - A two-day International Conference on "Building Inclusive Futures: Society, Development and Governance in the 21st Century" began at Rajshahi University (RU) today.

The Faculty of Social Science at RU has been hosting the conference for the third consecutive time.

The conference aims to generate actionable knowledge to create more inclusive, resilient, and just societies in Bangladesh, across the Global South, and beyond, fostering an interdisciplinary exchange among academics, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.

RU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Saleh Hassan Naquib addressed the opening ceremony as the chief guest, while Pro-VCs Prof Mohammad Main Uddin and Prof Md Farid Uddin Khan attended as special guests, with Social Science Faculty Dean Prof Akram Ullah in the chair.

Prof Enamul Haque, Director General of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies; Mahmudur Rahman and Katharina Maneke from GIZ Bangladesh; Dr Mathild Mitrote from England's Bath University; former VC of Comilla University Prof Zihadul Karim; and Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh Farah Kabir also spoke.

Prof Saleh Hassan Naquib said this timely conference provides an interdisciplinary platform for academics, researchers, development practitioners, legislators, civil society actors, and others to engage in essential debates and reflect on social inclusion, equity, and sustainability in a fast-changing world.

He added that climate change and environmental degradation, pandemics, technological disruptions, socioeconomic disparities, demographic changes, and global political shifts define the 21st century.

In this multifaceted environment, "inclusivity" seems to be an ethical and strategic necessity rather than merely a development objective, he added.

The conference will explore how development strategies, government structures, cultural contexts, and social frameworks could be more sensitive to the needs of marginalized populations.

It will also examine the prospects and challenges of developing inclusive organizations, promoting social justice, and ensuring participatory decision-making in the context of existing disparities.

Apart from this, the conference themes are well reflected in the several interdisciplinary orientations of the faculty.

In his remarks, Prof Akram Ullah said the conference created a diverse platform for academics, researchers, development practitioners, legislators, and civil society actors to debate key issues related to social inclusion and equity.

It has created opportunities for facilitated academic dialogue and the sharing of diverse perspectives on building inclusive societies, while also encouraging discussions and research focusing on social inclusion, equity, and sustainability.

Moreover, the conference enabled participants to build new academic and professional connections, contributing to the development of inclusive and forward-looking societies through scholarly discussion and collaboration.