Public lecture on the implementation of SDGs in the developing countries held at DU

A public lecture on the Implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Developing Countries: Challenges for Institutional Framework, Governance and Capacity Building was held at University of Dhaka on 24 August 2017. The lecture was organised by the Faculty of Law, University of Dhaka.

Dr. Shawkat Alam, Professor of Law and Director of the Centre for Environmental Law at Macquarie Law School, Macquarie University, presented the key-note paper on the topic. The whole event was divided into two sessions and it was moderated by Mohammad Golam Sarwar, Lecturer, Department of Law, University of Dhaka. The first session was conducted by Dr. Shawkat Alam and the later was done by Mr. Tanveer Shaheed, Regional Director of International Operations, Macquarie University on Higher Degree Opportunities in Macquarie for students of University of Dhaka.

At the very outset of the programme, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Dhaka, Professor Dr. Rahmat Ullah inaugurated the seminar by welcoming the honourable guest lecturers, faculty members and the students. In his short introductory speech, Dr. Rahmat gave particular importance to the implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and need for ensuring good governance and better institutional framework in the context of Bangladesh and asked his fellow students of the faculties to play their important role in the bottom up approach by sharing knowledge and different perspectives.

In his lecture, Dr. Shawkat examined the significance of the SDGs for developing countries efforts to address sustainable development and their implementation challenges associated with existing regulatory, institutional and governance frameworks. He referred to the famous Brundtland Report on Environment and Development and observed that the term ‘development’ is used to describe three, interlinked forms of development: economic development, social development and environmental preservation. He showed the evolution of the concept of ‘sustainable development’ starting even before 1987 and showed its track record till 2015. He advocated for strategic and institutional framework for proper implementation of SDGs. He also examined the ‘whole of government’ approach taken by Australian government in order to ensure sustainable development in the context of developing countries. He ended the lecture by showing the importance of capacity building of human resource.

After Dr. Shawkat’s lecture, Mr. Tanveer Shaheed conducted a short session on higher education opportunities in Macquarie. He showed the roadway to get financial supports and admission in the Macquarie Law School.

The event was covered by Md. Azhar Uddin Bhuiyan, Student of Law, University of Dhaka.