IFHE Hyderabad Conclaves – Leadership, Academic & Industry Events in Telangana

International Youth Day 2026 Conference

“Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”

The International Youth Day 2026 Conference will bring together distinguished academicians, youth leaders, human-rights advocates, educators, social activists, and professionals from different countries to celebrate the potential of young people and promote dialogue on issues affecting youth and society.

Organized around the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” the conference recognizes that young people come from diverse cultural, social, educational, and economic backgrounds, yet share common aspirations for equality, dignity, education, justice, peace, opportunity, and sustainable development.

The conference will be hosted by Dr. Shaleen Das, International Youth for Human Rights (Washington, D.C.) India Country Director of an India-USA-based organization in Florida. Dr. Das is associated with human-rights and anti-human-trafficking initiatives and is also a consultant, youth empowerment speaker, etiquette and soft-skills trainer, United Nations speaker, and lecturer in sustainability, AI, and HR management.

The event will feature the participation of a distinguished group of speakers and experts from India and abroad. Among them is Dr. S. Vijayalakshmi, Registrar and Head of the Convention Centre for Women Development (CWD), ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, whose participation brings an important perspective on women's development, education, empowerment, and inclusive leadership.

The conference will also feature Dr. Gary Coulston, Founder and President of Global Pioneer USA and Educator Youth for Human Rights Florida; Dr. T.P. Sasikumar, Scientist, Educationist and former UGC Calicut Director; Dr. Sapna S. Devan, Law faculty member at Jain University, Bangalore; Dr. Swarup Kumar Mitra, Principal of GNIT College, Kolkata; and Dr. Malay Chatterjee, an experienced technical and academic professional.

Other participating speakers include Assoc. Prof. Methinee Wongnawin, Chairperson of the University Chapters of KEEP at University of Thailand and BINA President of Biotechnology Industry Network Association; Dr. Sheetal Singh, Head of the Department of Law, School of Christ University, Delhi NCR; Dr. Adekunle Badmas, Founder and President of Global Cluster Turkey & Africa Youth President; Dr. Aditi Srivastava, Assistant Professor of Law at College of Legal Studies, COER University, Roorkee; and Dr. Carol Letona, Britain's African Human Rights Organization Director and Lecturer in Guatemala.

The program further brings together voices such as Mr. Abok Sunto Ray, a cultural writer focused on arts, traditions, and community life; Mr. Kiyonga Peter, a gender and social justice enthusiast and advocate for GBV and child protection; Fr. Dr. Alexander Boeting, Founder/President of C.I.D, Ghana; and Dr. Zariel Maza, Founder and President of Guardian of Human Rights Foundation, USA.

Through the participation of these diverse experts, the conference will provide a valuable platform for exchanging ideas on youth empowerment, human rights, education, gender equality, social justice, leadership, cultural understanding, and sustainable development. The presence of Dr. Vijayalakshmi and other distinguished participants strengthens the conference's focus on inclusive development and the meaningful contribution of women and young people to society.

The event is particularly significant because it brings together perspectives from different professional and geographical contexts. Such interaction can encourage young people to understand global challenges while recognizing that solutions must also reflect local realities and community needs.

The conference is scheduled for 12 August, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM EST, with the poster indicating United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA, as the venue and providing a Zoom registration option for participants.

Ultimately, the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations” emphasizes that diversity can be a source of strength. By bringing together educators, human-rights advocates, academics, youth leaders, and social-sector professionals, the conference aims to inspire young people to become informed, compassionate, confident, and responsible leaders capable of contributing positively to their communities and to the wider world.

Centre for Women Development (CWD), IFHE, has joined as the Principal Sponsor for Women’s Leadership Conclave which has been designed by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) & the Indian Women Network (IWN) at Hotel Avasa, Hyderabad, on 17th March, 2017. Women’s Leadership Conclave’s objective is to enable women to see things from an empowering new vantage point, help them grow in career by enhancing physical, emotional, social and financial securities.

Ms. Sailaja Kiron, MD, Margadarsi group, Ms. Swathi Lakra, Additional Commissioner, Crimes & SIT, Hyderabad City Police and Mr. Bharani KumarAroll, Secretary, Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) are keynote speakers. Panel Discussion with Panellists Ms. Vishnu Priya, Head, Women’s Forum, Society for Cyberabad Security Council, Telangana, Dr. Didem Atahan-Fabig, LMHC, MPH, Psychologist, Ms.Rajani Seshadri, Chair Woman, IWN Tamilnadu, Executive Coach, Tata Consultancy Services, Ms.Vinutha Rallapalli, Early Stage Investment Expert, discussed on physical, emotional, social and financial aspects of women. The Program concluded with a workshop on Self Defence by Rudramadevi Self Defence Academy.

With the status of "Principal Sponsor" of the Conclave, ICFAI University Branding was done and the Branding & Communication department installed a stall in the venue, to brand ICFAI University. CII – IWN acknowledged ICFAI University as the “Principal Sponsor” in all mailers. ICFAI Logo is positioned in the Wings of the backdrop at the Conference Venue. The panel thanked the ICFAI University in Special Announcements at the conference venue. A 2 min video film about ICFAI University was exhibited during break hours. One Full Page brief write-up about ICFAI University was included in the Conference documentation kit.

Around 300 delegates from working professionals, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and academia participated in this event. IFHE represented this event with 19 participants including teaching and non teaching staff (list is at the end). Prof. Geetanjali, IBS got the participation certificate in write up competition, as part of the event on challenges of women. Dr.V. Padmavathi, Convener, CWD, coordinated with the CII – IWN, Branding and Communication Department, ICFAI University, teaching and non–teaching staff of IFHE. Mr. Sudhakar Rao, in - charge Branding and Communication has arranged all the necessary branding requirements at the venue. With a sizeable number of teaching and non–teaching staff participation of IFHE, along with sponsoring the event reiterates ICFAI group’s commitment to the cause of Women Empowerment.

Guest Lecture on December 19, 2014

Conducted by : CWD

Speaker : Prof. Susheela Kaushik

With the objective of sensitizing the need for gender studies in Higher education, Prof.Susheela Kaushik, former Joint Secretary and General Secretary of Indian Association of Women's Studies was invited for guest lecture on December 19, 2014. Prof. Susheela Kaushik is also former Member and Co-Chairperson of the Committee on UGC scheme on Capacity Building for Women Managers in Higher Education in India and a member and Chairperson on many Committees of UGC and NAAC.

Prior to delivering her lecture on 'Gender Mainstreaming Higher Education, with special reference to Management Education', she interacted with the members of Center for Women Development on varied research areas/ projects that can be undertaken, and also emphasized the need to create sustainable livelihood for women in rural areas.

Members of Center for Women Development with Prof.Susheela Kaushik

Prof. G.B. Reddy, University College of Law, Osmania University and Director, UFRO delivered a talk on "post Nirbhaya initiatives", as part of Center of Women Development (CWD) activities on April 10th (Monday), at 2.50 p.m. at LT B in IBS campus. Dr. Padmavathi (IBS) along with Dr. Jayanti Reddy (FoL) and Dr. Elizabeth (FST) had coordinated the event. Prof. Pratap Reddy (FoL) introduced the Chief Guest.

From the talk of Prof. G.B. Reddy, it is understand that the government is making mandatory for all organizations and institutions, to have one internal complaints committee consists of at least 3 employees and at least one independent member who is a lawyer, social worker or NGO having the relevant expertise and experience mentioned under the Sexual Harassment Act and rules. IFHE as an institution may have to consider this.

50 students, 3 FoL Faculty and 25 male IBS Faculty had attended and actively participated in the meeting. The presence of more male faculty members is a welcoming sign of more gender sensitized IFHE Faculty

CWD Convener, Dr.Padmavathi, participated in an interactive Session with Craig Preston, Managing Director, Inspirational Development Group, on Leadership Development and High Performance Teams in the VUCA World on 12 July 2017 at ISB (Indian School of Business), Hyderabad

CWD – IFHE sponsored 15 students (list is at the end) to attend workshop “Entrepreneurship & Intrapreneurship for a better workplace" on 11 August 2017 scheduled from 1000 to 1700 hrs at School of Management Studies, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad.

List of Participants Women’s Leadership Conclave