SPEAKERS

Prof. Yunus, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (2006) for founding the Grameen Bank (1983), is a Bangladeshi  SDG advocate, social entrepreneur, banker, economist, and civil society leader who pioneered the concepts of microcredit and microfinance.

Currently serving as the President of the Indian Science Congress Association, Dr. Samanta is the founder of two self financing universities – KIIT and its sister concern, KISS. Dr. Samanta is an educationist and social worker providing free of cost education to over 27,000 tribal students.  He has brought educational transformation to the indigenous hinterlands of the country.

Currently heading the branch of the UNSSC Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development based in Bonn, Germany, Mr. Weerelt has extensive experience in capacity development, policy and program implementation in the field of sustainable development, democratic governance and human rights.

Shri Naidu currently serves as the Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Higher Education Department.

Currently serving as Programme Officer for UNV, Mr. Sahdeo has over two decades of multifarious experience in public administration, disaster risk reduction, humanitarian affairs, training & capacity development and programme management.

Currently serving as Chief of Field Office for UNICEF, India, Ms. Bae has actively campaigned against crime against children and championed proper implementation of child related laws in the State of Odisha.

Ms. Prasad currently serves as State Programme Coordinator at United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Her areas of interest include Public Policy, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, Gender Based Violence, Youth engagement, and Women’s empowerment.

Currently serving as the Research and Content Development Manager at World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), Mr. Baghdady previously worked as a Policy Analyst and a Research Project Manager at the RAND-Qatar Policy Institute (RQPI)

Dr. Suraj Kumar, Chief Mentor of Neeti Foundation, has worked on the design and implementation of programmes on governance, women’s leadership and human development, policy dialogue on rights-based development with governments, and UN coordination in India and South Asia.

Currently serving as the Director of the Centre for Social Equity and Inclusion, Ms. Namala is an Indian social activist working for dalit rights. She has worked extensively in building community-based organisations, networking, training and advocacy.

Currently serving as a Program Coordination Specialist for the United Nations, Ms. Kathel’s research focuses on gender mainstreaming in the UN. She has also worked on policy recommendations towards ensuring protection and participation of Dalit women in local governance.

Primarily known as a prominent Indian film actor, director, screenwriter, social activist, and rugby player, Mr. Bose is also the founder of an anti-discrimination NGO, The Foundation. He has also worked extensively to raise awareness on gender equality, climate change, and human rights.