Breaking New Ground: LHBS Inaugural Workshop Transforms Global Economic Development Dialogue
In a landmark gathering unlike any other, Monmouth University and the McMullen Family have set the stage for a transformative shift in global economic development practices. With the inaugural “Regional Sustainable Economic Development Around the Globe” workshop held on June 6, visionaries from all corners of the earth came together, united in a bid to combat climate change and foster sustainable development, reaching across continents to find shared solutions.
A Global Collective
Hosted virtually, the workshop was a melting pot of perspectives, drawing in participants from the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, European Commission, and International Labour Organization, alongside leading academics and policymakers. They hailed from diverse nations including the US, Italy, China, and Vietnam, each bringing their unique insights and experiences to the table. Through the exchange of papers, discussions were sparked around pressing issues like flood risk management in Italy and the challenges of electric vehicle battery recycling in China.
Keynote Highlights
The keynote address by Avik Sinha from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University was a thought-provoking exploration of China’s burgeoning electric vehicle industry. Sinha’s insights into battery recycling challenges, based on his Nature-published paper, spotlighted a critical component of sustainable technological advancement. Meanwhile, Caterina Rho from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre captivated audiences with her findings on climate impacts on small businesses in Italy.
Celebrating Knowledge Exchange
Monmouth University President Patrick F. Leahy emphasized the indispensable nature of such global exchanges, underscoring their impact on both environmental and economic futures. He highlighted that sustainable development extends beyond just protecting our planet to nurturing economic growth, particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Professorial Participations
The workshop also gave Monmouth faculty a platform to shine. Dr. Peter Jacques delivered a compelling presentation on Caribbean economic development, alongside student Audrey Copeland. Meanwhile, Dr. Jaishree Sharma took attendees on a journey through her analysis of innovation and digitalization impacts on major global economies.
A Future Forward
The event’s resonating success marks just the beginning, as organizers invited participants to contribute to special publications, potentially reshaping future economic policies. As Dr. Raj Devasagayam noted, the workshop goes beyond scholarly exchange, highlighting practical impacts that ripple through society and stressing the continued collaboration between global thought leaders and local institutions.
This workshop stands as a significant move towards a global collaborative effort in sustainable economic advancement. Organizers, including McMullen Professor Tjeerd Boonman, envision a world where events like this define a new era of economic policy-making built on mutual understanding and shared knowledge.
According to Monmouth University, this inspirational gathering of minds is a pivotal step towards creating meaningful change in sustainable economic practices worldwide.
