Heeding the Call for Global Action: DLSU Hosts DISSCON 2023
The DLSU College of Arts, the Social Development Research Center, and the Jesse Robredo Institute of Governance convened the inaugural DLSU International Social Sciences Conference, or DISSCON, on August 11 and 12, 2023 in Boracay, Malay, Aklan. With the theme “Sustainable Development Goals and the Social Sciences: Strengthening Key A.R.E.A.S. of Integration,” the event was participated in by over 180 delegates representing higher and secondary level education institutions from across the country, the Department of Education, and organizations from Asia and Europe.
In the words of Brother President Bernard Oca, FSC as he rendered his welcome remarks, DISSCON provided “an opportunity to shape the trajectory of sustainable development,” and of Vice President for Research and Innovation Dr. Raymond G. Tan in his opening remarks, “a promise of interesting discussions with a diverse mix of topics.”
The conference was highlighted by five keynote speeches (by Dr. Edwine Carrie, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in the Philippines; Distinguished University Professor and Department of Psychology faculty member Dr. Allan B.I. Bernardo, on “Pasteur’s Quadrant and Harnessing Social Science Research for the Sustainable Development Goals”; Department of Political Science and Development Studies professor Dr. Francisco Magno, on “Academe and SDGs: Strategies for Engagement”; Dr. Idham Badruzaman, Head of the International Relations Office at Universitas Muhammadiyah, Yogyakarta, on “Harmonizing Tradition and Progress: Unveiling the Role of Local Wisdom in Sustaining Peace within Indonesia’s SGDs Framework”; and Department of Sociology and Behavioral Sciences professor Dr. Mary Janet Arnado, on “Whole of Society Strategy for Sustainable Development Goals: A Systems Perspective”), a panel discussion on “Best Practices: Integration of SDGs into Basic and Secondary and Higher Education” (with Dr. Henry Magahis, Principal, Enzotech/Enrique Zobel Foundation, Inc.; Departmento ng Filipino professor Dr. David Michael San Juan; and DLSU Visiting Professor Dr. Charles Gallagher of the Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice, La Salle University Philadelphia), and closing remarks by History professor Dr. Farish Noor of the University of Malaya.
At the heart of the two-day sessions were paper presentations by the delegates on the role of A.R.E.A.S. – academics, research, engagement and advocacy, and synergy – in attaining the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The best three papers were awarded a cash prize, and ten papers were selected for publication in DLSU’s internationally refereed journal the Asia Pacific Social Science Review.
In bringing DISSCON to a close, Dr. Noor revealed his deep concern for how academics go about doing their work while providing counseling and pastoral care to younger people. He pointed out that one environment needing protection was that of teaching, which he believed is under threat. He hoped the delegates were up to the challenge of the complex analysis that development demanded, to enable the young to understand where they are in the world today.
