For over a month since May 30 to July 2, 2010, an annual event entitled the International Sustainable Development Research Society (ISDRS) or also known as The 16th Sustainable Development International Research Conference (SDIRC) 2010 was held. Kadoorie Institute, University of Hong Kongwas appointed to host this meeting.
This year the conference focused on the exploration of sustainable development management after the financial crisis in the efforts of sustainable development related to integrated policy, cross-sectoral governance, and issues related to climate change. On these themes, latest papers are expected to be produced related to sustainable development, innovation, and practical steps to overcome global challenges.
The Conference was attended by 252 researchers from 44 countries all over the world. The opening was held at The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on May 30, 2010 starting with remarks by Prof. Peter Hills, Professor and Director of the Kadoorie Institute, University of Hong Kong.
Erma Widya Kusumawati, student of Faculty of Forestry UGM, became one of the participants who passed the selection to participate in the event. Her research result entitled The Inventory of Biomass, Carbon Stock, and CO2 Absorption from Acacia (Acacia mangium) Root in ex-degredated Land in Wanagama 1, Yogyakarta, Indonesia made her the youngest participant and the only Indonesian representative in the field of forestry in the conference. "I passed after the abstract of my research was reviewed by international reviewers, so I was invited to attend and present the research," said Erma, Monday (5/7) informing reporters.
She said that SDIRC 2010 consisted of two core activities and one additional activity. The core activities were in the form of plenary session similar to public lectures with question and answer session, and parallel sessions (presentations and discussions are divided into tracks according to the themes).
There was also an additional activity in the form of excursion program (field trips to several areas in Hong Kong). "To ignite the discussions in parallel sessions which last for three consecutive days from May 30-June 1 2010, organizers presented three keynote speakers, including Wen Bo, Director of China Environment Program, Lam Ying Chiu from Royal Meteorological Society, who discussed Meteorology and Fellow, and Professor Michael Redclift from the University of London," explained Erma.
Erma said that in a day the parallel sessions discussed 16 tracks that were divided into two sessions. In addition to environmental and forestry theme (Climate Change and Energy), the themes included economic and technological fields (International Perspectives on Industrial and the Circular Economy), politics (Governance and Policy), and education (The Role of Education and Universities in Sustainable Development).
"The last day of the conference was closed with an excursion program, offering three courses, Smart Growth in Action in New Territories, Cultural Tourism Development vs Cultural Conservation on Lantau Island, and Ecological Value in Urbanized Hong Kong in Long Valley," she said.