Symposium for Scholars – Observations and Thoughts

By Asghedom T. Teklemariam, Eritrea

I am an Agricultural Economist currently working at the FAO-Eritrea Country Office as Assistant FAO Representative (program). It is a great honour and privilege to be among the 18 foreign practitioners to the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) on Economics and Sustainable Development sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
The Institute for Training and Development (ITD) has perfectly organized a wonderful program. I cannot pass without commending ITD staff and special support of Dr. Katie Lazdowski (ITD Program Director) for her outstanding organization, programming, direction, and actions of all envisaged tasks which I can say is exemplary.

Today the 5th of July 2023, a symposium was organized, and scholars expressed a variety of interesting areas evolved and discussed. It was really impressive to hear each scholar’s prioritized profession and interest from wider socio-economics arena to strengthening financial institutions; from entrepreneurship development to business/ investment plan; from job creation to economic safeguarding; innovation, digitization and value-chain development across sectors; from partnerships to economic transformation; Applicability of laws and regulations. Participants examined and discussed of what and how big and small institutions can change at institutional and human capacity levels towards attaining sustainable development.

It was inspiring that really benefited all due to the worthwhile exchange of practical experiences and thoughts from the broad range of issues around economics and sustainable development. As stipulated, the ideas and discussions created a positive impact that enhanced everyone and made forward looking as a takeaway to finding new paths for further studies.

I express my excitement with this session because it analyzed experiences, evidence and public policies to respond to the challenges facing growth and sustainable development. ¬¬Participants explored solutions, experiences and practices coming mostly from the ground perspectives, to provide support with the notion that the prevalent conditions have reached for scale up acting properly now. As a result, the following reflections are existing in my mind for further push and considerations:

• Develop policy and legal frameworks to promote feasible economic growth and need sustainable development, including by putting in place policies that support in particular rural population, women and youth.
• Strengthen partnerships with international organizations, academia and research organizations, to facilitate the development of new methodologies and indicators to measure sustainability performance of economic systems.
• View transformation as an opportunity to change the current systems and address challenges by increasing long-term funding including environmental, economic and social components.
• Producing knowledge and awareness and advocating for the enhancement of systemic development.
• Academia and research organizations need to further promote training and research on sustainable development to increase and consolidate the evidence base and develop new methodologies and indicators for sustainable development.

I conclude by saying that vital issues and conditions raised, appropriate recommendations forwarded and learned that every stage provided foundation for the next. In short, the symposium contributed in shaping the way we work and how we evaluate success and clarified how results connect to our vision and our collective goals. What a pleasant day!