SPEAKERS

Prof. Kumar is a retired professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. He is an expert in political sociology and has contributed extensively towards policy making, in addition to issues of poverty and education.

Currently working as Deputy Country Representative for UN Women, Ms. Satyam is responsible for spearheading UN Women’s engagement with traditional and non-traditional partners across India, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Currently serving as the Adviser (Rural Development, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, and Sustainable Development Goals) for NITI Aayog, Dr. Jain has worked extensively with agriculture, forestry and development in India.

Currently a Senior Economist at the World Bank, over 19 years at the World Bank, Mr. Patil has followed his twin passions, co-developing the institution’s multi-billion-dollar portfolio on Oceans and the Blue Economy, and co-creating social enterprises and initiatives in support of adolescent girls and young people.

Ms. Chopra currently serves as the Commissioner cum Secretary to the Government, Co-operation Department, Additional Chief Director General, Gopabandhu Academy of Administration, Bhubaneswar.

Currently serving as the second Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Dr. Kumar is an Oxford-educated economist with extensive experience in shaping the contours of public policy both in and outside the government. He is also the founding director of Pahle India Foundation, a non-profit think tank in Delhi.

Mr. Gemmell OBE is a British diplomat, founder of fiveFilms4freedom and current Director of the British Council in India. He was appointed OBE in the 2016 New Year Honours List for his contributions to Arts and Sciences.

Mr. Shengelia is the President at International Association Of University Presidents, and Caucasus University.He was also formerly a member of parliament in Georgia and Vice-Mayor of Tbilisi in Social Affairs.

Currently serving as Officer on Special Duty for NITI Aayog, Ms. Samaddar previously served as Director in the Department of Heavy Industry.

Currently serving on the Planning Board for the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Gupta has spent the past decade working for implementing participatory irrigation management and water sector reforms, in the field of natural resource management.

Mr. Acharya currently serves as Director General, MCHRD, and Special Chief Secretary in general administration in Telangana State. His proficiency in dealing with tourism culture and industrial sector had helped to facilitate many export-oriented clusters in the state.

Currently serving as Course Coordinator with the UNSSC Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development in Bonn (Germany), Ms. Sow focuses on integrating social development, environmental sustainability and economic development in policy discourse and development practice.