O P Jindal Global University establishes India’s first research centre on G20 studies

NEW DELHI: O P Jindal Global University has recently announced the establishment of the Jindal Global Centre for G20 Studies. The centre will focus on research, thought leadership and capacity-building initiatives relating to G20. Considering the G20 Presidency from December 1, 2022, O P Jindal Global University (JGU) has taken initiative to establish the centre.

Its main objective is to address issues relating to the global economy, especially on matters relating to international financial stability, climate mitigation and sustainable development. This is the first research centre which will be established by an Indian university.

The five major objectives of the Jindal Global Centre for G20 Studies (JGC4G20) include- first, to develop a strong vision for enabling academic institutions across the G20 region to build international collaborations between them; second, to launch new initiatives to promote G20 studies and greater understanding of the countries in G20 in all its dimensions across other Indian higher education institutions; third, to organise periodic lectures, seminars and conferences of topical relevance to India-G20 cooperation in partnership with other universities, think-tanks and government officials; fourth, to build and strengthen capacities for pursuing research relating to G20 countries within India with a strong focus on joint research between institutions in G20; fifth: to develop multisectoral training and capacity building programmes in close partnership with higher education institutions in the G20.

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Professor (Dr) C Raj Kumar, the Founding Vice-Chancellor of JGU said, “As India assumes the Presidency of G20, this will be the first such Centre established by any Indian university. I am happy to announce the appointment of Professor (Dr) Mohan Kumar, former Indian Ambassador to France and the Dean of the Office of International Affairs and Global Initiatives at JGU as the Inaugural Director of the JGC4G20. This will be a university-wide research centre, which will pursue five major initiatives in this year of India's Presidency of G20. First, JGCG20 will be hosting a global conference of 200 universities from G20 countries with representation of 10 universities from each G20 partner to focus on the future of education; second, to organize a G20 Ambassadors' Conclave that will promote a dialogue on the future of diplomacy; third, to host a Global Justice Colloquium with a focus on bringing together lawyers and judges of the G20 countries to discuss and debate on the state of the justice systems across G20; fourth, to host the World Sustainability Forum for bringing together thought leaders and institutions in G20 to engage on issues relating to environment and climate change; and fifth, to host the Global Public Policy and Development Dialogue for bringing together policymakers and academics in G20 to discuss issues confronting the world of policy and development.”

"The vision for proposing a G20 Global Education Forum should enable the opportunity for another summit hosted in parallel to the G20 summit, which will bring together the leading universities of the G20. The vision of this Centre is to transcend the functioning of G20 that is currently limited to governmental organisations, politicians, and diplomats. The democratization of the functioning of G20 as an international forum will require a complete reimagination involving other participants, especially the young people who are part of the universities of the world. Their involvement and the participation of universities including their researchers, albeit in a separate forum hosted on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, will send a powerful signal to make the working of G20 more inclusive", Professor Kumar added commenting on the significance of the initiative.

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On the appointment as Inaugural Director of the JGC4G20, Professor (Dr) Mohan Kumar said, “I am absolutely delighted to have been given this responsibility at a time when India has just assumed the presidency of the G20. G20 has gradually emerged as an indispensable multilateral forum on the international landscape. It has also expanded its remit to dealing with the burning problems of the day, after starting off in 2008 as an institution which was aimed at management of the global economy. The newly established research centre will undertake independent and interdisciplinary research in the following areas already established by India as priorities for its presidency. These are, inter alia: (1) Accelerating SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) in Education and Health; (2) Accelerated, Inclusive and Resilient Economic Growth; (3) Green Development and Climate Finance; (4) Multilateral Institutions for the 21st Century; (5) 3 Fs: Food, Fuel and Fertilizers; and (6) Gender: Women-led development. The vision of JGC4G20 is to draw upon the tremendous expertise in all the schools of JGU and bring it together under one umbrella. The JGC4G20 thus hopes to make a substantial contribution not just in the presidency year of India, but well beyond in the future.”

G20 comprises the world’s largest economies – both industrialized and developing countries. Remarkably, G20 accounts for around 80% of the gross world product (GWP), 75% of the international trade, two-thirds of the global population, and 60% of the world’s land area.

The establishment of the Jindal Global Centre for G20 Studies at OP Jindal Global University will provide a great opportunity for India to play a leadership role in promoting transformative ideas for making this institution more relevant and impactful.