Need to develop sense of ownership, collaborate at local levels: Experts

Srinagar, Mar 26: To promote women-friendly and socially secured villages in Jammu and Kashmir through self-help groups and rural entrepreneurship, the Institute of Home Science, Kashmir University (KU), Tuesday inaugurated a two-day national seminar here.

Titled, ‘Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - A Roadmap’, aims to explore the role of a healthy diet in creating environmentally sustainable food systems, besides enhancing knowledge, understanding of a child’s holistic development to establish a strong foundation for future, an official statement issued here read.

On the occasion, Prof Aparna Khanna from Lady Irwin College, Delhi University (DU), in her keynote, emphasised the importance of localising SDGs for effective implementation stating that people need to develop a sense of ownership and that they partner and collaborate at local levels.

“Localisation of SDGs is crucial for tailoring global goals to local contexts and ensuring their relevance and effectiveness,” Prof Khanna said, adding that J&K is raising the bar while setting the benchmark as an emergent leader in achieving SDGs.

She said that empowering youth through awareness, sharing perspectives, advocating SDG mindset and social entrepreneurship with relevant tools and tactics can lead to achieving the set goals.

KU Vice Chancellor, Prof Nilofer Khan, highlighted the significance of poverty alleviation and livelihood enhancement at the grassroots level.

“Our aim is to explore innovative strategies and interventions that leverage the potential of Home Sciences to localise the SDGs effectively and create poverty-free and enhanced livelihoods,” Prof Khan said, adding that the seminar will not only deepen the understanding of the challenges at hand but also identify concrete pathways for progress.

Dean, Academic Affairs, Prof Farooq Ahmad Masoodi, while underlining the genesis of SDGs asserted that all the SDGs are interdependent.

“Achieving one objective or goal naturally leads to achieving another and if we evolve in our scientific endeavours, we have to keep our social responsibilities into consideration,” he added.

Underscoring the relevance of the theme, KU Registrar, Prof Naseer Iqbal, reiterated the university’s commitment in promoting initiatives targeted at achieving the SDGs.

“KU is a public university and our actions and activities on campus determine the results in our communities. So, our academics and research endeavours have to be oriented towards a sustainable social-structuring,” Prof Naseer said.

Director, Institute of Home Science, KU, Dr Hummera Azim, emphasised the significance of Home Sciences for being interdisciplinary that touches upon various aspects of human well-being.

“From nutrition and health to livelihood enhancement and environmental sustainability, it embodies the ethos of sustainability, promoting practices that not only meet the needs of the present but also safeguard the interests of future generations,” she added.

Head, Department of Social Work, DU, Prof Pamela Singla; Dean, School of Applied Sciences, KU, Prof Zulfikar Ahamd Bhat; deans, heads, officers, faculty, scholars and students attended the function.