WELCOME TO COHDA 2013 The Inaugural Conference on Human Development in Asia KKR HOTEL HIROSHIMA AUGUST 6-8, 2013 Hiroshima, Japan

The 2013 Conference on Human Development in Asia

Change, Continuity and Diversity: Perspectives on Sustainability for Asia

Presenters Registration Deadline: July 15th, 2013
Click Here for Registration Details

Full papers are welcome, but not required
Submitted full papers might be considered for publication after the conference

Conference Chair Welcome

In an increasingly globalized Asia, the economic, industrial and political developments among the nations that are located within the continent have brought about dramatic social change. Within a span of just over a century, Asia has been a major site of colonialism and decolonization, global warfare, political upheaval and regime change, the rise of new nations, ongoing ethnic and religious conflict, economic boom and recession, population explosion, cultural diasporas, viral epidemics, technological advancement, and severe environmental pollution and disasters.

While commentators and analysts have recognized the vast changes that have shaped the Asian continent, it is also crucial to understand the continuities that are maintained even in the face of such impetus for change. Apart from change, what  constants still resist change? In addition, what factors contribute to such ongoing resilience? Although it may be argued that the forces of globalization and development have set in motion a number of positive changes in the ways we live our lives, this has also been counterbalanced by the continuities of inequality and suffering of many others. The tide of change often exists in a state of tension with the forces of continuity. Hence, in order for us to comprehend the forces of change, we must also engage other opposing forces.

At the same time, attempts to mediate the tension between change and continuity have given rise to growing diversities. Driven partly by the forces of migration within a global economic order often guided by transnational markets of production or consumption, new political and social-cultural fragmentations and intersections within nation-states in Asia have emerged. In the face of such developments, the implications of and challenges to efforts at sustainability are numerous. While it is increasing recognized that sustainability entails dimensions far beyond the ecological sphere, the next step is to examine and understand the impact of change and continuity and the resultant diversities that are contained within.

Change, Continuity and Diversity: Perspectives on Sustainability for Asia seeks to explore such issues and their links to the notion of sustainability through the combined and holistic lenses of an interdisciplinary approach. This conference will be held in Hiroshima, Japan, during the 68th Hiroshima Peace Memorial.

Remembrance events and tours will be held during the conference, including a guided tour of Peace Park on August 6th, which is the anniversary of the atomic bombing.

COHDA is also organizing a special trip on August 9th to Miyajima Shrine Island — a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a must-see for any visitors to Japan. Those wishing to join these tours should visit our Travel page for registration details.

Taking into account the wider themes of Change, Continuity and Diversity, the sub-themes of the conference will focus on the following nine areas:

1. Education
2. Population and Ageing
3. Healthcare and Social Support
4. Politics and Conflict
5. Inequality and Justice
6. Gender and Culture
7. Migration and Identity
8. Environment and Technology
9. Economy and Sustainability

COHDA 2013 Chairperson

Kevin S.Y. Tan, PhD (University of Alberta, Canada) Community Leadership and Social Development Programme SIM University (Singapore) Kevin S.Y. Tan is a cultural anthropologist and currently overseeing the master’s programme in Community Leadership and Social Development at SIM University, Singapore. He completed his bachelor’s and master’s education at the National University of Singapore before moving on to his doctoral programme at the University of Alberta, Canada, which he completed in 2008. Prior to his current appointment at SIM University, he has taught at the National University of Singapore, the Singapore Management University and Temasek Polytechnic. His research and teaching interests include social gerontology, religion, sociolinguistic issues and social stratification.

COHDA 2013 Plenary Speaker

Scott Valentine, PhD (National University Singapore) Department of Public Policy & School of Energy and Environment City University of Hong Kong Dr Scott Valentine is currently an Associate Professor at the City University of Hong Kong. As an academic he is author of the forthcoming, Wind Power Politics and Policies (Oxford University Press), Life in the Balance (Infinity) and co-author of the National Politics of Nuclear Power (Routledge). He has also published more than 30 book chapters and journal articles and is on the editorial boards of the journals, Sustainability Science and CSR and Environmental Management. Scott has over 20 years of diverse international business experience specializing in business development and organizational development. Past positions include Executive Vice-President of Vektor Multimedia in charge of Japanese operations (subsequently Sony-Vektor), Managing Director of Asia Pacific Development International, Dean of the British Education College in Tokyo (affiliated with the UK Northern Consortium), and Director of the British Council Training Centre in Taiwan.

In academia, he was formerly Associate Professor and founding Associate Director of the International Master of Public Policy program at the Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Tokyo. He has also served in a research or teaching capacity at the National University of Singapore, National Sun Yat Sen University (Taiwan), National Chengchi University (Taiwan) and Shinawatra University (Thailand).

Scott’s academic achievements include: PhD Public Policy (NUS), DBA (CalSouthern), MBA (Adelaide), MSc in Environmental Management (NUS), MBA (APGISM/CityU) and an MA in Advanced Japanese Studies (Sheffield).

COHDA 2013 Featured Presentation by Mr Isao Aratani: An A-Bomb Survivor’s Story

In a special COHDA presentation, Mr. Isao Aratani, an A-Bomb survivor, will discuss his life and the horrific events he witnessed on August 6, 1945, when Hiroshima was subjected to the world’s first atomic bombing. Mr. Aratani was born in Hiroshima in 1931. He was exposed to the bombing at the East Drill Ground, 2.2 km from the hypocenter when he was a second-year student at Second Hiroshima Prefectural Hiroshima Junior High School. After graduating from university, he began working as a chemist at a paint company. For much of his life, Mr. Aratani has never told his story; however, after moving back to Hiroshima at the age of 69, he decided to share his story in the hopes that future generations will learn the horror of wars and embrace peace for eternity.

COHDA 2013 affiliates include:

COHDA 2013 Advisers