Challenges of development in the 21st century: Asian perspectives
Tuesday, 30 December 2014 02:22
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International conference held in Japan
The Association of Sri Lankan Academics in Japan along with the Embassy of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the International University of Japan (IUJ), organised the Third International Conference titled ‘Challenges of Development in the 21st Century: Asian Perspectives’ at the IUJ in Niigata, Japan.
Approximately 150 guests and participants attended the Conference and a number of senior academics, technocrats and experts addressed the said International Conference on Challenges of Development in the 21st Century: Asian Perspectives. The first International Conference was held in May 2012 at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo and the second Conference was held in June 2013 at the Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Prof. N.S. Cooray, President of the Association of Sri Lankan Academics in Japan and Professor at IUJ, delivered the welcome address. The Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Japan, Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, who was the Chief Guest, accentuated the topicality of the theme of the Conference, particularly at this crucial juncture.
Prof. Kimio Kase, Vice President (Vice Chancellor) of IUJ, underlined the congenial bilateral relations between the two countries and Prof. Monte Cassim, Sri Lankan born former Vice Chancellor of the Ritsumeikan University, in his special address, emphasised the compelling and cogent challenges of Asia since the 21st century is described as the ‘Asian Century’. Prof. W.D. Lakshman, Vice Chancellor of Sanasa University and former Vice Chancellor of University of Colombo, highlighted the key lessons which could be learned from other developed nations.
Given the significance of this International Conference, there were three sessions and a Panel Discussion. The Panel Discussion was moderated by Prof. Monte Cassim and it consisted of Prof. Gurumurthy Kalyanaram, Professor at the City University of New York and currently at IUJ; Prof. Kimio Kase, Vice President of IUJ; Prof. W.D. Lakshman, Vice Chancellor of Sanasa University; Prof. James Rhodes, Vice President of National Graduate Institute of Policy Studies of Tokyo (GRIPS) and Dr. Saj Mendis, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Sri Lanka. Dr. Krishan Sabaragamuwa, Secretary of the Association, proposed the vote of thanks.
The Third International Conference was fruitful and productive since myriad new ideas, initiatives and propositions were raised and deliberated by both the speakers and by the participants. The formation of the Association of Sri Lankan Academics in Japan in November of 2011 was an initiative of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo.
