Program 5: Organizing “International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities for Sustainable Development” (ICSHSD)

1. Introduction

The challenges of sustainable development (SDGs) are not just technical problems, but human, policy, and social problems. Issues such as poverty alleviation (Program 1 & 2), food security (Program 1), and talent gap (Program 3) require an in-depth understanding from a Social Sciences and Humanities perspective.

Currently, many researchers in NTB and Indonesia produce quality research (as encouraged in Program 4), but they lack a global platform to disseminate findings, debate, and collaborate with international networks. On the other hand, international researchers lack a “living laboratory” to understand the context of the SDGs in developing countries such as Indonesia.

Therefore, the Sino International Research and Development Foundation, through the core pillar of the “Conference”, initiated the ICSHSD. This conference is not designed as a ceremonial event, but as a  global melting pot (meeting point) that positions NTB as the center of discussion on sustainable development.

2. Program Objectives

General Objective: To create and maintain a highly reputable international academic platform to accelerate knowledge exchange and research collaboration in the social sciences and humanities focused on sustainable development.

Special Purpose:

  1. Becoming a forum for dissemination (Pillar “Research Publication”) for the latest research from local (NTB), national, and international researchers.
  2. Connecting young researchers and NTB students (Program 4 participants) with a global network of academics and experts.
  3. Produce  high-quality publication outputs (e.g., Scopus indexed proceedings, International Journal Special Issue).
  4. Making NTB a  superior academic MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) destination.
  5. Produce policy recommendations from the results of conference discussions for government partners.

3. Justification & Strategic Position

  • Why Social Sciences & Humanities? Many local conferences on science and technology. ICSHSD takes a  unique niche with the local in humans  behind the development of the people’s economy (Program 2), culture, local policies, and soft skills (Program 3).
  • Why NTB? NTB local “SDGs Laboratory” is perfect. We have the challenges of poverty (KLU data), agricultural potential (Program 1), tourism, economic wisdom, and digitalization challenges (Program 2). Making NTB the host will provide a real field context for the participants.
  • Program Synergy: ICSHSD will be a “stage” for researchers who have been fostered through Program 4 (Writing Training). This creates a complete cycle: from research coaching to global dissemination.

3. Program Mechanism (Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration)

This conference will be orchestrated by the Foundation as  a Project Management Office (PMO) in collaboration with strategic partners.

Table 1. Collaboration Mechanisms and Partner Roles

PhaseMain ActivitiesFoundation Role (Sino R&D)Partner University RoleResearch Institution Role (BRIDA/LIPI/BRIN)
Phase 1: Preparation (T-12 Months)Theme setting; Scientific Committee formation; Call for Papers; Keynote Speaker search.Project Manager; manage branding & website; international outreach.Co-host; supply reviewers; promote to networks.Content partner; provide priority research themes (from Program 4).
Phase 2: Implementation (Event Day)Plenary sessions, parallel sessions, policy roundtable.Main organizer; manage logistics & venue; moderate key sessions.Provide moderators and student volunteers; host parallel sessions.Participate in policy roundtable; showcase applied research results.
Phase 3: Post-Conference (T+6 Months)Proceedings publication; journal special issue; policy brief delivery.Managing editor; follow up collaborations.Guest editors; select best papers.Adopt relevant policy briefs.

5. Impact Projection & Output

ICSHSD is projected to be  an annual flagship program  that has a great reputational and intellectual impact.

Table 2. Program Impact Projection Table

Time FrameProgram OutputsExpected Impacts
Short-Term (Year 1)1 successful conference (100+ presenters from 20+ countries); 1 indexed proceeding; 1 policy brief for NTB Gov.Global exposure for NTB researchers; international validation of local research quality.
Medium-Term (Years 2–3)ICSHSD becomes annual event; 1 special issue (Q1/Q2 journal); 3–5 new collaborative research groups formed.Strengthened branding of NTB as academic MICE center; Sino R&D recognized as international research hub.
Long-Term (Years 4–5)ICSHSD ranked among Southeast Asia’s leading conferences; findings adopted in real policy.Systemic improvement in sustainable development research quality; emergence of a knowledge-based economy in NTB.