UKZN reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainability, ethical leadership and social transformation through the inaugural conference of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) on sustainability themed: ‘Creating a Unified Foundation for Sustainable Development in South Africa’.
The conference was hosted by senior lecturer in the School of Commerce in the Discipline of Management and Entrepreneurship Dr Andrisha Beharry-Ramraj; a lecturer in the Discipline of Information Systems and Technology (IS&T), Dr Surika Civilcharran, and a senior lecturer at Varsity College, Dr Smita Ramson.
The event formed part of UKZN’s broader community engagement efforts, reflecting the University’s dedication to fostering dialogue that connects academia, society and global development priorities.
The event commemorated ISKCON’s founder, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who visited the former University of Durban-Westville (now UKZN) in 1975, where he shared a vision of ethical living and spiritual wisdom that continues to inspire social change in South Africa today. This year marked the 50th anniversary of his arrival.
The conference was convened as an academic-community partnership, bringing together scholars, policymakers, researchers, faith-based intellectuals and social practitioners from all over South Africa and abroad. Its purpose was to explore how ethics, values-based education, and intercultural understanding can inform sustainable development in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By bridging disciplinary boundaries across the social sciences, business, education, and governance, the event demonstrated UKZN’s leadership in positioning Higher Education as a transformative force for social impact.
In her opening address, Beharry-Ramraj highlighted the ethical and philosophical depth of the sustainability discourse, emphasising that true progress requires the integration of moral and social dimensions into environmental and economic frameworks. “Sustainability is not limited to environmental preservation,” she noted. “It is about cultivating justice, inclusivity, and spiritual well-being in the human experience.” Her remarks underscored the importance of UKZN’s community outreach mandate, which seeks to translate scholarly work into tangible societal benefits.
The keynote address was delivered by paediatric oncologist and academic researcher Dr Kamalina Coopasamy, who provided a critical analysis of ISKCON’s historical and sociological influence within the framework of the SDGs. She demonstrated how community-led initiatives, such as Food for Life and eco-village projects, embody models of social innovation that resonate with academic theories of sustainability and ethical leadership.
The conference’s sessions spanned several thematic areas linked to the SDGs, including governance, youth empowerment, climate action and education.
Professor Angela James and a team of international scholars presented a model for Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) in teacher education, showcasing how digital learning environments can foster environmental awareness and intercultural collaboration.
Professor Champak Jinabhai offered insights from the Shiv Kshetra Drakensberg Eco-Village, where ecological awareness and community well-being intersect as a living example of holistic sustainability.
CEO of Food for Life South Africa, Mr Yoshan Baboolall, discussed how community-based food security programmes can strengthen national resilience and align with the SDGs’ focus on hunger eradication and well-being.
Later sessions focused on governance and innovation, addressing the structural and behavioural dimensions of sustainable practice. Managing Director of ECOPARTNERS Dr Charlaine Baartjes, presented findings that emphasised the importance of mindset change in advancing organisational sustainability. Ms Nqobile Simelane-Siyoko of the City of Cape Town explored how partnerships between municipalities and community organisations enhance water and sanitation service delivery, while Mr Navin Radhalal of ADEC Innovations highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence in sustainability reporting.
CEO of the Southern African Society for Quality Professor Roy Ramphal, concluded with an analysis of how the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks can reinforce ethical governance and corporate accountability.
A central feature of the event was the Bhaktivedanta Swami Lecture, delivered by Mr Angell M Nthoi (Atma Tattva Das), a journalist and philosopher. His lecture, ‘Exploring Vedic Dharma for Peace and Conflict Resolution: Resonance for Africa’s Sustainable Transformation’, drew parallels between Vedic philosophical principles and African humanist traditions such as Ubuntu. He argued that sustainable development must emerge from a synthesis of ethical consciousness, cultural restoration, and spiritual awareness – values that align deeply with South Africa’s developmental aspirations.
Complementary presentations included an analysis of ethical leadership and good corporate governance by Professor Angelo Nicolaides; Dr Lokesh Maharajh’s proposal for integrating the Bhagavad Gita into South African education to foster moral literacy, and Mr Jurgen Wolfenden’s introduction of Prema-Culture, a framework connecting inner transformation with collective responsibility in addressing ecological challenges.
In closing, the Ambassador for the Association of Commonwealth Universities Professor Goonasagree Naidoo, praised the event saying it had been an exemplary model of community-based scholarship. Naidoo noted that it exemplified UKZN’s mission to integrate academic inquiry with ethical and civic responsibility. “Conferences of this nature reaffirm the vital role of universities as catalysts for moral leadership and social progress,” she added.
Through Beharry-Ramraj’s leadership, the ISKCON Sustainability Conference not only advanced academic dialogue but also strengthened the bridge between UKZN and the communities it serves. It demonstrated that Higher Education can extend beyond institutional boundaries, becoming a living practice of social engagement, ethical reflection, and transformative sustainability.
As South Africa prepares to host the G20 Summit later this year, such initiatives underscore UKZN’s continuing role in shaping the intellectual and moral foundations of a just, inclusive, and sustainable future.
Words: NdabaOnline
Photograph: Supplied