The document announces an international conference on communication, culture, and sustainable development scheduled for February 5-7, 2017, at Aligarh Muslim University, inviting papers on various relevant themes. It emphasizes the significant role of communication and culture in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially within specific cultural contexts. The conference aims to explore communication strategies and develop a framework for indicators that can guide effective policies for human development and poverty alleviation.

1. Department of Mass Communication
Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh
International Conference on
Communication, Culture and Sustainable Development : Key
Issues and Challenges
February 5-7 2017
CALL FOR PAPERS
Important Dates:
Last date for Submission of Abstract: December 15, 2016
Intimation of Acceptance of Abstract: December 20, 2016
Last Date for Submission of Full Paper: January 5, 2017
Registration Starts: December 20, 2016
Early Bird Registration: December 20-31, 2016

2. Theme of the Conference
There is no denying the fact that communication plays a central role in the process of human development.
Communication for development is about dialogue, participation and the sharing of knowledge and infor-
mation among people. It takes into account the needs and aspirations of the people in the development pro-
cess. As Gro Brundtland, the Chairperson of the World Commission on Environment and Development said
“Sustainable development is a major challenge for the next century. People are central to that task. The only
way we can work for a common cause, for common interest, to improve our condition, is really through com-
munication. Basically, it has to do with democracy, with participation, with spreading of knowledge and in-
sight and ability to take care of our future."
Further, the role of culture in sustaining and enhancing individuals’ and communities’ quality of life and well-
being cannot be underestimated. Elimination of poverty and reduction of inequality has been the fundamental
objectives for many decades. However, the success of development strategies in improving human well-being
depends on recognising the cultural context within which development occurs. In other words, since culture is
intrinsic to society and permeates all aspects of life, it actually constitutes the environment in which develop-
ment happens. Culture creates the conditions which facilitate economic and social progress, and therefore,
becomes an enabler of development. The UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diver-
sity of Cultural Expressions (2005) emphasised the need to integrate culture in development policies at all
levels in order to create a favourable environment for sustainable development and foster the diversity of cul-
tural expressions.
It is recognised that in the process of social change and development, the intertwined concepts like communi-
cation and culture play a significant role. Over the years, the concept of development has taken a multidimen-
sional approach, whereby the question of cultural promotion has since been strongly stressed. The promotion
of cultural values and heritage of people would no doubt, remain an illusion without the adoption of appropri-
ate communication strategies. Various theories and paradigms have been postulated by seasoned researchers
and scholars on the essentiality of promoting cultural values in the process of evolving a meaningful develop-
ment. Of course, culture and communication are as old as human existence. Classical discourses in the field
0f communication and culture have succinctly shown their inseparability. The importance of Communication
for Development in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is being increasingly acknowledged
by international agencies, national governments and NGOs.
It is in this context, the Policymakers, social scientists, and NGOs must come forward to help achieve the
United Nations development agenda and help measure progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs). The seminar is aimed at exploring the potential of various communication channels in promoting ap-
propriate cultural values among the people towards achieving the 17 sustainable development goals identified
by the UN at the Sustainable Development Summit on 25 September 2015. As the indicators for progress in
achieving the Sustainable Development Goals vary from country to country which are affected by a number of
local circumstances, customs traditions physical and geographical conditions, the seminar further will make
an effort to identify the culture specific indicators towards achieving the sustainable development goals
(SDGs). It is also our endeavour to develop a framework of analysis for the indicators with special reference to
cultural and communication dimensions of sustainable development. The identified indicators and the
evolved analytical framework will provide a basis for national governments, international bodies and Non-
Governmental Organisations of developing and underdeveloped countries in formulating and implementing
effective development policies and programmes.
Communication, Culture and Sustainable Development :
Key Issues and Challenges

3. Major Themes
 Perspectives on Sustainable Development
 Sustainability Ideas in Indian Culture
 Communication and sustainable development: current trends, challenges and priorities
 Communication Dimension of sustainable development: Identifying Indicators and develop-
ing evaluation framework
 Cultural Dimension of Sustainable Development: Identifying Indicators and Developing Eval-
uation Framework
 Communication Strategies to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
 Role of Creative and Cultural Industries in Sustainable Development
 Globalisation, Media and Sustainable Development
 Gender Equality as a Critical Building Block of Sustainable Development
 Freedom of Expression as the Building Block to meet SDGs
 Poverty Alleviation, Food Security and Environmental Sustainability: Contribution of Partici-
patory Communication
 Role of Television, Radio and Newspapers in meeting SDGs
 Role of libraries in promoting cultural values
 Knowledge, communication and information systems
 E-Society and digital divide
 Participation of Major Stakeholders in meeting SDGs:
-Business and industry
-Indigenous people
-Local authorities
-Non-governmental organisations
-Scientific and technical communities
-Women, Children and youth
-Workers and trade unions
Communication, Culture and Sustainable Development :
Key Issues and Challenges

4. Call for Papers
Papers- based on empirical research or discursive analysis, focusing on any of the above or other rele-
vant themes are invited for the conference. The following list is only indicative and should not be consid-
ered as exhaustive.
Schedule for Conference:
Abstract:
Full Papers:
Conference Dates February 5--7 , 2017
Submission of Abstract December 15, 2016
Intimation of Acceptance of
Abstract December 20, 2016
Submission of Full Paper January 5, 2017
Registration Starts from December 20, 2016
Early Bird Registration December 20--31, 2016
Length Up to 300 words
Format
Title of Topic (16 pt Times New Roman bold)
Name of Author/s (14 pt bold Times New Roman)
Abstract along with key words (12 pt Times New Ro-
man / Justified) (300 words)
Brief Introduction of Author/s (12 pt bold Times New
Roman / Justified)
Only soft copy in MS Word or MS Word (97-2016) for-
mat
Submission
email to conference.dmc@gmail.com- on or before
December 15, 2016
Format
Title of paper: Times New Roman 14 Bold caps;
After one space: author, affiliation, e-mail in font 11 italics;
Leave one space. Then Abstract title in 12 bold; Abstract in Times New Roman 11
italics;
Main text of paper : Titles in Times New Roman 12 bold caps; Text in Times New
Roman
Subheadings: Times New Roman 11 bold italics;
Figures: Title (Arial, 11) should be at the bottom of figure.
Tables: Title to be at top of table.
References should be cited in APA Style
Only soft copy in (.doc), (.docx) or (.pdf) PDF format
Submission email to conference.dmc@gmail.com- on or before January 5, 2017
Communication, Culture and Sustainable Development :
Key Issues and Challenges

5. All the submissions received for the international seminar on Communication, Culture and Sustainable De-
velopment: Key Issues and Challenges -2017 will be reviewed through a double blind review process. Au-
thors will be advised of acceptance or rejection of their submissions by the Conference Secretariat within
two weeks of submission. Once a submission is accepted, at least one of the authors must register for the
conference through online system.
All the submissions received for the international seminar will be assessed based on a set of criteria includ-
ing quality of ideas, methodology, theoretical contribution, clarity of presentation, and potential interest to
other participants. All the submissions will be assessed against the norms of the category in which they are
submitted.
Register Now:
Chairperson
Department of Mass Communication
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, India.
Contact us
Conference Convener
Dr. G. K Sahu
Department of Mass Communication
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, India.
Email: conference.dmc@gmail.com
Phone: +91571-2700920
Ext. : 1355
Fee For Teachers/Academicians/Professionals : INR 3000
For Students and Research Scholars : INR 2000
Early Bird Regis-
tration Fee
(December 20-31
2016)
For Teachers/Academicians/Professionals : INR 2500
For Students and Research Scholars : INR 1600
Foreign Delegates U.S. $ 200
Includes Board & Lodging/Delegate kit / tea/ snacks during conference days
Demand Draft Of any Nationalized bank / In favour of ‘Registrar, Aligarh Muslim University,
Payable at Aligarh
Last Date January 15 , 2017
Communication, Culture and Sustainable Development :
Key Issues and Challenges

6. About Department of Mass Communication, Aligarh Muslim University
The Department of Mass Communication is one of the premier institutions of the country
engaged in imparting education and research in the field. The department offers post-
graduate and Ph.D. programmes. It is equipped with-state-of- the-art production facility fit-
ted with an advanced three-camera set-up and high-tech console and outdoor recording
equipment. Its video production facility is rated as one of the best for the production of
news and current affairs programmes. The seminar library of the department have in its
stock a rich collection of thousands of books and also subscribes to important national and
international journals of academic and research significance. Its faculty is highly qualified
and experienced. It has developed an innovative system of intensive Video Production train-
ing with the aim of developing multi-tasking ability among its students. The department has
distinguished itself by winning several national and international awards in the categories of
students video films and most of its students are doing exceptionally well in almost all the
reputed media houses of the country.
About Aligarh
Aligarh is situated at a distance of 130 km Southeast of New Delhi on the Delhi-Howrah rail
route and the Grand Trunk Road. Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, is situ-
ated 80 km afar in the city of Agra. The latitude is 27°54' N and longitude is 78°05' E. The
University campus is 2 km away from the Aligarh railway station. The average temperature
during the month of February ranges between 9.5°C to 23°6 C, (49.1°F - 74.5°F). It is advis-
able to carry light winter clothing.
Communication, Culture and Sustainable Development :
Key Issues and Challenges