The historic city of Thiruvananthapuram is set to host the prestigious 'Vision 2031: Development and Democracy' international conference from February 15 to 17, 2024. This significant event will bring together global experts, policymakers, and thought leaders to deliberate on critical issues shaping the future of governance and societal progress.
Inaugural Ceremony and Distinguished Speakers
The conference will be officially inaugurated at the Shankaranarayanan Thampi Hall within the legislative assembly complex, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presiding over the ceremony. Revenue Minister K Rajan will chair the inaugural function, setting the tone for three days of intensive discussions.
The event boasts an impressive lineup of speakers including Nobel Prize laureate Amartya Sen, renowned historian Romila Thapar, and World Food Prize laureate Shakuntala Thilsted. Their participation underscores the conference's commitment to addressing multifaceted development challenges through diverse intellectual perspectives.
Comprehensive Technical Sessions
On February 16 and 17, the conference will feature extensive technical sessions across nine different venues throughout Thiruvananthapuram. These sessions are designed to consolidate findings from 34 preliminary seminars organized by various government departments across Kerala's 14 districts during October and November 2023.
The international conference aims to create a dynamic platform where experts from around the world can present their analyses of development initiatives implemented by the state government while sharing innovative perspectives on future development pathways. This collaborative approach seeks to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical governance applications.
Concluding Session Highlights
The conference will culminate with a special seminar focusing on secularism, democracy, and responsive governance. This concluding session will feature prominent leaders including Farooq Abdullah, Prakash Karat, Kanimozhi, and Justice Shah, who will contribute their insights on maintaining democratic values in contemporary development frameworks.
Administrative Coordination and Support
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has emphasized the importance of departmental cooperation for the conference's success. During a preparatory meeting with department secretaries, he requested full support and active participation from all concerned departments to ensure smooth execution of conference sessions.
The planning meeting was attended by key officials including Planning Board Vice-Chairman V K Ramachandran, Chief Secretary S Jayathilak, and members of the State Planning Board, demonstrating the government's comprehensive approach to organizing this international gathering.
This conference represents a significant opportunity for Kerala to showcase its development model while engaging with global best practices, potentially influencing policy directions for the coming decade as outlined in the Vision 2031 framework.
