Monash University, Indonesia Hosts International Conference on Climate Change and Sustainable Development
The speakers and participants of 2024 Sustainable Development for Thriving Communities Conference
South Tangerang - The 2024 Sustainable Development for Thriving Communities Conference kicked off today (Tuesday, 24 September 2024) at Monash University, Indonesia, bringing together experts and researchers from around the world to address pressing issues of sustainable development and climate change.
The two-day conference, organized by the Centre for Development Economics and Sustainability (CDES) at Monash Business School and Monash University, Indonesia, in collaboration with Monash University Malaysia, the World Bank's East Asia and Pacific Chief Economist Research Center, and the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), aims to foster discussions on critical topics such as climate change adaptation and inclusive economic development.
Professor Matthew Nicholson welcoming the attendees and delivering the opening remarks
Professor Matthew Nicholson, Pro Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University, Indonesia, opened the conference with a warm welcome to speakers and participants. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of the conference in addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable solutions.
The highlight of the day was a keynote presentation by Professor Yasuyuki Sawada from the University of Tokyo, who spoke on "Next-Generation of Empirical Research in Development Economics."
Keynote presentation by Professor Yasuyuki Sawada from the University of Tokyo
He examines how new methodologies such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs), natural experiments, and quasi-experiments have transformed empirical research in economics. It provides a comprehensive overview of these methods' applications across various subfields of economics, including labor, development, international trade, and behavioral economics.
Professor Sawada's presentation highlighted how these new empirical methods have enhanced economists' ability to identify causal relationships, thereby improving the reliability of economic research.
Dr. Sarah Gultom, Conference Committee member and Assistant Professor in Business Innovation, expressed her enthusiasm for the event: “Today we are having the Sustainable Development for Thriving Communities Conference. This conference gathers academics, think tank and industry contributors, NGOs and government, to discuss recent knowledge on sustainable development issues such as inclusive development, climate change, education, health and other aspects of development. This conference aims to encourage collaborations between academia, industry, and government, to find innovative solutions to achieve sustainable development in Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific region.”
The conference will continue tomorrow with more presentations on sustainable development research. It will be followed by two days of research method workshops, including sessions on running randomized controlled trials and applying machine learning in social science research.
In conclusion, the 2024 Sustainable Development for Thriving Communities Conference represents a significant step forward in addressing global challenges through cutting-edge research and collaboration. By bringing together experts from various fields, the conference aims to contribute meaningful insights and solutions to the pressing issues of sustainable development and climate change. As the event unfolds, it promises to spark important discussions and pave the way for innovative approaches to creating thriving, sustainable communities worldwide.