Noting that the concept of planetary resources as shared wealth has faded with time, Prof. T. Jayaraman (School of Habitat Studies, TISS, Mumbai) has called for a revival of the works of political and social scientists, particularly with reference to global commons.
In his inaugural address at a three-day International Conference on Global Commons 2018 organised recently by the Department of Politics and International Studies, School of Social Sciences, Pondicherry University, Prof. Jayaraman said the idea of human relations universality, encapsulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Law, needs its share of attention more than ever before.
The event is being hosted in collaboration with the Faculty of Law, Political and Social Sciences, University of Paris 13, France.
Prof. Jayaraman pointed out that the theme of the conference would not have been global commons had the larger community of social scientists not pondered on the common issues and its dimensions.
“Plurality of actions is the primary goal of this conference, resulting into sprouting of ideas on well-being of mankind,” he noted.
Important subjects
Prof. Gurmeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Pondicherry University, expounded on the contemporary relevance of politics and international relations as well as its emergence as an important subject over the years.
“Politics and international relations represent the area to work in a constructive way to reshape the world order. This conference will be looking at common areas where the political scientists will be playing a major role.”
Prof. Didier Guevel from University of Paris 13, France, complimented Pondicherry University for the cooperation in conducting this conference.
Prof. Mohanan B Pillai, Head of the Department of Politics and International Relations, Pondicherry University, highlighted the scope of the conference with a range of topics spanning common resources, common property, social exclusion, cultural identities, climate change and many more.
Out of many abstract submissions during the past three months on the above themes, 45 abstracts have been selected and will be presented during the conference sessions.
Citing Francis Fukuyama’s renowned work The End of History and The Last Man which sets the goals of togetherness and an illusionary society of universal brotherhood, Prof. Venkata Ragathoman, Dean, School of Social Sciences and International Studies, Pondicherry University, highlighted the challenges of the future of the mankind.
New challenges
The recognition of new challenges remains the crux of the changing world order, he said. Dr. Geeta Ganapathy Dore, from University of Paris 12, and Sisira, Ph.D research scholar, also spoke.
The event is being attended by educators, lecturers, delegates and professionals.
