Humanities experts discuss post-Covid world in conference by Bala Vikasa, Australian think tank

Hyderabad: The ‘Building Positive Hope in a Post-Pandemic World: An Asia Pacific Conference’ brought together academicians, social workers, development professionals, psychologists, students, and professionals from around the world to discuss various aspects contributing to social change, community resilience, and hope for the future after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Organised by the Brisbane Institute of Strengths Based Practice, Australia, in collaboration with Bala Vikasa, the conference was inaugurated at the Bala Vikasa Centre for Social and Responsible Business (CSRB) in Keesara.

The inauguration of the conference was attended by prominent figures, including Padma Shri Dr Tripuraneni Hanuman Choudary, founder of the Centre for Telecommunications and Media Studies, Dr Venkat Rao Pulla, president of the Brisbane Institute of Strengths Based Practice, Shoury Reddy Singareddy, executive director of Bala Vikasa, and Survi Srinivasa Goud, chairman of the organising committee.

Dr Tripuraneni Hanuman Choudary, the chief guest, emphasised the collective efforts made to combat the global health pandemic and highlighted the role of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in changing the world, especially during and after the pandemic. He expressed optimism that technological advancements will significantly enhance human intellectual capacities and make the world a better place to live.

The keynote speaker, Dr Vishanthie Sewpaul, discussed the ‘Infrapolitics of Power: Awakening Individual and Societal Consciousness for a Sustainable, Resilient, and Just Post-Pandemic World.’ She emphasised the values that bring society together, including love, respect, harmony, solidarity, inclusion, collaboration, and ubuntu. Dr Sewpaul advocated for a shift from complex academic approaches to methods involving both critique and action, emphasising the need for self-awareness in the context of social and environmental issues.

The conference’s discussions and presentations covered a range of topics, including gender and education, community development, curriculum development and innovation, Artificial Intelligence, child welfare challenges and response, and entrepreneurship. Renowned academicians and social workers from various parts of the world shared their insights during the conference.

Shoury Reddy highlighted the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on lifestyles and the need to find sustainable paths forward for a hopeful and resilient future, encompassing various aspects of life, including education, the environment, and entrepreneurship.