Conference on Social Development

The upcoming Social Development Conference, jointly organized by the Hyphen Resource Centre and Habib University, aims to explore pressing social issues through a blend of discussions, activities, and academic engagement, all under the broader theme of civic engagement. The conference will bring together students and experts to foster dialogue, promote research, propose solutions, and encourage civic participation at various levels. This initiative reflects our commitment to bridging gaps in education and community development, creating a platform that empowers the next generation of change-makers to engage with and address the challenges facing their communities.

Conference Themes

Hyphen Resource Centre, rooted in the belief that civic engagement is fundamental to sustainable development, recognizes the urgent need for innovative and inclusive approaches to learning and social change. This conference serves as a platform to address critical social issues while promoting civic responsibility among the youth. By engaging students in these discussions, we aim to cultivate a deeper understanding of the challenges facing our society and inspire actionable solutions.

In addition, it provides a platform for young and seasoned researchers to present their work rooted in the development discourse. This platform will serve to connect the researchers with youth looking to take action, as well as find collaborators among various development organizations working in the field. Stakeholders from the government will also be invited to enable scale-up of interventions and impactful utility for policy recommendations.

The broader theme of the conference centers around social development and civic engagement. Within these broader themes, the conference will focus on the following sub-themes:

• Climate Change

• Education

• Health

• Local Governance

• NGOs and Interventions

• Social Entrepreneurship

• Urban Planning

• Youth-led Initiatives

Conference Streams

The diverse streams are designed to cater to participants with varying levels of expertise and interests, ensuring a well-rounded approach to social development. The Undergraduate Conference engages young students, fostering their research skills and civic engagement through interactive sessions. The Research Conference offers a platform for researchers to present findings and gather feedback, advancing evidence-based discourse in development. Workshops provide practical, hands-on learning opportunities, while the Exhibitions by Development Practitioners connect academia with real-world interventions, promoting collaboration for impactful and scalable solutions. Together, these streams ensure comprehensive engagement and equip participants to contribute meaningfully to social change.

Workshops

The workshops are designed to develop skills and capacities in areas related to social development and research. Facilitated by academics and civil society organizations, participants can choose from a variety of workshops tailored to their interests. These sessions will run concurrently with other conference activities, providing a dynamic learning experience that enables participants to expand their knowledge and practical skills in research and development. We are actively seeking facilitators and practitioners to conduct these sessions, offering them a platform to display their expertise, share practical insights, and engage participants in hands-on learning experiences.

Civic Engagement and Advocacy Sessions

This targets A-Level and undergraduate students, engaging them at a critical stage in their educational journey to foster interest in social development and nurture proactive contributors to civic issues. The conference features diverse sessions aimed at enhancing understanding of local social issues, their complexities, and potential solutions. Participants will engage in knowledge-based seminars and real-world simulations designed for students and professionals. Younger participants will also have the opportunity to engage in simulation-based activities that help them develop critical thinking skills and better grasp complex challenges. Emphasizing civic engagement, attendees will be presented with real-world projects and cases to encourage critical thinking and inspire meaningful action.

Exhibitions by Development Practitioners

This stream focuses on showcasing action-oriented projects and interventions that address pressing developmental challenges. We invite development practitioners to register in advance to showcase their projects at the conference. It aims to bridge the gap between academia, development organizations, and government stakeholders, fostering collaboration and promoting evidence-based policymaking. By highlighting scalable interventions, the exhibition encourages participants to engage with impactful solutions that can drive meaningful social change and inspire future development efforts.

Research Conference

Participants are invited to submit ongoing or completed research for presentation and discussion, providing an opportunity to showcase findings and offer policy recommendations. This conference stream creates a platform for researchers to gather feedback, share results, and contribute to the advancement of discourse in the development sector. The Research Conference will include panel discussions and plenary sessions, exploring key issues in social development and addressing current research trends, thereby facilitating deeper understanding and exploration of developmental challenges.