National Conference on SDGs & Human Rights Concludes at JU Law School 

Jammu, Dec 05: The Law School, University of Jammu, in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, successfully concluded its two-day National Conference on SDGs and Human Rights for an Equitable Future: A Prismatic Perspective. The valedictory ceremony, held at the Brigadier Rajinder Singh Auditorium, was a culmination of insightful deliberations and creative expression.

The valedictory session commenced with a scintillating theatrical performance by Law School students, directed by Dramatist Sumeet Sharma and coordinated by Harmannat and Geetansh. The performance powerfully portrayed the value of the vote by linking it to international and national legal frameworks, highlighting its importance for the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Chief Guest, Prof. JP Singh Joorel, Dean Academic Affairs, University of Jammu, delivered an encouraging address. He appreciated the theatrical performance, emphasized the universality of the SDGs, and discussed how integrating human rights with SDG targets can augment both. He commended the organizers for deliberating on a theme of great contemporary relevance.

Guest of Honour, Shri Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG, JSK Range, J&K Police, highlighted issues of elderly care, drug abuse, and women's safety within the conference theme. He underscored the police's role as a protector of human rights, with particular reference to SDG 16.

Special Guest, Prof. Aman Amrit Cheema, Former Director, UILS, Panjab University, underscored the universality of the SDGs. In her inspiring remarks, she discussed the core human rights principle of providing justice—political, economic, and social—and stressed SDG 16. She highlighted the contributions of notable personalities like Justice P.N. Bhagwati, Justice Krishna Iyer, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Kapila Hingorani, and Advocate M.C. Mehta towards justice.

Prof. Seema Rohmetra, Conference Convener & Director, The Law School presented the welcome address for valedictoty session. She emphasised that the conference was more than an academic exercise, calling it a "collective endeavour to bridge the gap between law, policy, and lived realities" through a prismatic lens to interrogate intersecting forms of discrimination.

The valedictory session was preceded by a plenary session, themed ‘Monitoring, Remedying, Delivering: How National Human Rights Systems, Policies & Schemes make the SDGs Work for All’.The session featured incisive contributions from a panel of distinguished experts: Prof. Vishav Raksha, Head, Department of Sociology, University of Jammu; Prof. Sarika Manhas, Head, Department of Home Science, University of Jammu; Prof. Deepika Slathia, Head, Department of Environmental Science, University of Jammu, and Dr. Ajay Sharma, JKPS, SP South, Jammu.

The speakers deliberated on the intersectionalities of gender, caste, disabilities, and climate justice. Dr. Ajay Sharma particularly emphasized the need for an Indian model of sustainability, drawing inspiration from the ancient ethic of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. The session was moderated by Dr. Nitan Sharma, co-cordinator of the conference. Thereafter four parallel tehnical sessions witnessed immersive presentations of ideas.

A detailed conference report was presented by Dr. Monica Narang, Conference Coordinator who informed the gathering about the expansive initiative, which featured around 150 presentations from premier institutions across India, 09 technical sessions (including one virtual mode), and two plenary sessions.

The event was graced by several notable personalities, including Shri Subash Gupta (Former Judge & PSC Member); Prof. Arvind Jasrotia (Rector, Kathua Campus); Prof. Parkash Anthal (Dean Student Welfare, University of Jammu); Dr. Rashid Manhas (Assistant Dean Students Welfare); and Advocate Uma Kapahi.

The formal vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Monika Bhardwaj, Conference Co-cordinator . She extended heartfelt gratitude to the dignitaries, resource persons, participants, and faculty coordinators. Special appreciation was extended to the conference’s knowledge partners, notably for the support of t