GLOBELICS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2O23, Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, 11-14 OCTOBER 2O23
Globelics is a global community of scholars who study innovation and competence.The main aim of the network was to focus on Learning, Innovation, and Competence-Building Systems (LICS) to understand the nexus between innovation and development. The 20th Globelics International Conference was held at the Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation (GIFT) in Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram. This unique event, centered around the theme of “Innovation-driven Knowledge Economies and Transformation in the Global South,” was led by their unique approach, viewing innovation and learning through a global development lens.

The Globalics 2023 panel convened as a right place to debate on ‘Steering STIs towards the Sustainable Development Goals’, involving scholars from different disciplinary and geographical backgrounds. To frame the debate, the convenors involving Tommaso Ciarli (UNU-MERIT and SPRU); Bhuvana N (CRISP, India); and Ismael Rafols (CWTS) presented a summary of the STRINGS work recently published in a report (https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10158118/1/STRINGS_Changing_Directions.pdf) in collaboration with the UNDP and several researchers across the globe, which uncovers glaring mismatches between STI and the SDGs and brings forward some deeply structural problems behind such mismatches. The brief presentations were followed by a panel discussion involving Susan Cozzens (Georgia Tech, USA); Gabriela Dutrenit (UAM, Mexico); Dinesh Abrol (ISID, India); and Rajeswari Raina (Shiv Nadar University, India) and 10–15 participants in the session.The panel engaged in a thorough debate on the potential impact of various policy actions in enhancing the contribution of science, technology, and innovation (STIs) towards the SDGs. Discussions also centered around the significance of nurturing diverse STI directions. An illustrative example was shared concerning the development of rice seed varieties resistant to climate shocks in Odisha, India. Furthermore, the panel discussed how the SDGs alone can guide the effective steering of STIs in diverse contexts based on the experiences of Mexico. Addressing misalignments in critical areas such as agriculture, health, energy, and education with the SDGs became a focal point, prompting consideration of the specific policy actions required.

Globelics provided a dynamic platform to engage in productive debate and the exchange of ideas and knowledge. It was a pivotal moment for fostering collaboration and actively contributing to the future of innovation and development on a global scale. The discussions and insights gained during the conference highlight the importance of ongoing dialogues and collaborative efforts to address the complex challenges at the intersection of innovation and sustainable development.

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