Meriema, 5 May (MTNews): A one-day International Seminar on ‘Women and Development: Reflections from Thailand & Nagaland (India)’ was jointly organized by the Women’s Studies Centre & Department of Education, Nagaland University, on 4 May at the Kohima Campus, Meriema.
The seminar was organized in three segments, comprising the inaugural session followed by two technical sessions. While Prof GT Thong, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Kohima Campus, NU delivered the keynote address, commending the organizers for facilitating such a platform for knowledge sharing, advancement of knowledge, and cross-border research, to look beyond one’s own borders and drawing inspiration from one another, he encouraged the gathering by joining in the call for a more inclusive and sensitive approach to women everywhere for a balanced development.
Sharing reflections from Thailand on the mentioned theme, the two international speakers from Chiangmai University in Thailand Dr Ariya Svetamra presented a paper on ‘Community-based Tourism and Empowerment of Ethnic Women in Upper North Thailand’ and Dr Arratee Ayuttacorn on ‘Women’s Negotiation on Land Dispossession’. The speakers from Nagaland University shared reflections from Nagaland through the variety of papers presented.
Prof Jano L Sekhose presented on ‘Navigating the World of Naga Women Down the Ages and Beyond’; Prof Lungsang Zeliang on ‘Visualizing Naga Women’s Representation in Education’, and Dr Petekhrienuo Sorhie on ‘Localizing SDG5 in Nagaland: Issues and Challenges’.
The paper presentations were followed by deliberation and discussion sessions on various pertinent socio-economic and cultural barriers that impede the development of women in particular and society in general, wherein ideas, perspectives, and opinions were exchanged both from the context of Nagaland and Thailand.
The two technical sessions were moderated by Dr Limala, Assoc. Prof, and Dr. Neizou Mero, Asst Prof of the Education Department. The inaugural session was chaired by Dr Petekhrieno Sorhie, Head of the Department of Tenyidie, and a welcome address by Prof. Buno Zetsuvi, Dean of Humanities and Education. Dr Khotole Khieya, HoD in-charge, Department of Education felicitated the keynote speakers and resource persons.