Annual Social Science Congress at Tripura University on 11th -13th March 2020.

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Three Days ICSSR-NERC Annual Social Science Congress
at
Tripura University
Youth, Development and Public Policy in North East India

Concept Note

Development is possibly one of the most plausible mechanisms to avert social tension. But, economic growth sans development causes more tension in the society widening the schism among various classes. Balanced sustainable development with egalitarian spirit is the new narrative in the development discourse. Thinkers and theorists argue in favour of distributive justice, modernisation process, structural adjustment, human development, post-development so on and so forth. Each model or theory assures of a better quality of life with greater opportunities to fulfil individual aspirations to the maximum possible extent. However, there is hardly any unanimity among scholars to adopt a model that is viable and feasible for policy makers. Based on such differences, there are divergent ideologies and schools of thought each claiming greater acceptability among the masses. Most of the western countries instead of bothering about straightjacketed ideological frameworks go for realistic policy planning and implementation. Now, every development needs to pass through environment test as reckless industrialisation has brought more disaster to the mankind and has created more health hazards than ever before. Unfortunately, neo-liberalism has whetted the individual’s material appetite by expanding the scope of his needs and blurring the dividing line with luxury. But at cost?

Today’s youth is no longer driven by the glorification of ideologies. He nurtures an aspirational dream for a better quality of life for himself. He wants more freedom, demands more rights and needs greater privacy. For this, he expects better opportunities to be created for self-fulfilment. Today, youth is more informed, more capable and has varieties of opportunities before him. At the same time, there is unemployment crisis, scope for government jobs shrinking, lack of adequate private sector jobs due to very few industries in the region. Many educated and ambitious youths prefer to go out of region as well as country in search of employment. This will affect seriously development and economic wellbeing of the region in years to come. Unless this trend is reversed, not only there will be brain drain but also the indigenity of socio-economic development will be hampered greatly. This is a serious challenge for the public authorities in the region. States have talents but scarce opportunities, skill education institutions are there but no scope to utilise the skills of the pass-outs, local products are there but no facility to market them.

There is hardly any clear-cut public policy to deal with the situation. Although there is political stability in all states of the region but economic volatility is looming large. Governments do not have any vision plan how to utilise the services of young talents. State governments must come forward with development policy to make best use of the services of the talented youths as well as economic prosperities before it is too late. The states should look beyond the national border to market the local products and attract foreign entrepreneurs to invest in untapped areas. The congenial economic environment needs to be crated by the respective governments and public for safe investment and industrialisation.

  1. Sub Themes
    1. Theories and Approaches to Development
    2. Concept of Development in the context of Northeast India
    3. Youth and Aspiration
    4. Youth and Insurgency
    5. Youth and Development
    6. Youth as Social Force
    7. Concept of Public Policy
    8. Development and Public Policy
    9. Act East Policy and Development in Northeast India
    10. India’s Relations with Neighbouring Countries in South East Asia and the Role of Northeast
    11. Cross-Border Ethnic Link and Public Policy for Development

These are some of the issues that need thorough discussion and deliberation. It is the responsibility of the social science intellectuals, think-tanks and policy makers to give serious thought to these emerging issues through exchange of ideas and opinions.
With this purpose, the North Eastern Regional centre of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR-NERC) proposes to have three days Second Annual Social Congress at Tripura University on 11th, 12th and 13th March 2020. The Department of Economics, Tripura University will be the local host.

Dates & Guidelines:
I. Abstracts of papers in about 300 words should be sent on or before 5th February, 2020 with the subject: ‘abstract for 2nd Social Science Congress’ to the following e-mail id: nerssc2020@gmail.com
II. Acceptance of the papers will be confirmed by 10th February, 2020
III. Full paper not exceeding 3000 words is to be submitted in soft copies (e-mail attachment/CD) on or before 5th March, 2020

The Last date for submitting abstracts has been extended upto 17th February, 2020 and abstracts which will be approved will be intimated by 20th February 2020.

Registration:
• Rs. 500/ for Students/ Scholars/ Project Assistants/ Research Assistants
• Rs. 1000/ for Full time Faculty members

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