USTH is honored to welcome a delegation from Agence Française de Développement (AFD) on Tuesday, 1st October 2024. As part of this visit, Ms. Sarah Marniesse, Head of AFD Campus, will lead an insightful seminar on the theme of Innovation. This will be an excellent opportunity for young scientists and students to engage in thoughtful discussion on the evolving role of innovation in today’s world.
Seminar Details:
- Time: 14:00 – 16:00, Tuesday, 1st October 2024
- Venue: Room 402, USTH Building
- Topic: Does Innovation Replace the Idea of Progress? Advocacy for a Third Way
- Speaker: Ms. Sarah Marniesse, Head of AFD Campus
About Ms. Sarah Marniesse
Ms. Sarah Marniesse is the Head of AFD Campus, a branch of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) that focuses on training partners and sharing knowledge to drive social, economic, and environmental change. She holds a PhD in development economics from École Nationale de la Statistique et de l’Administration Économique (ENSAE) and completed postdoctoral research at Michigan State University. She joined AFD in 1999, where she worked on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), poverty, and development issues, and introduced the Global Public Goods (GPG) approach in her roles in AFD’s Research and Operations Departments.
In 2012, she became an advisor at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, focusing on renewing development aid policies. She later worked in the office of the Secretary of State for Development and Francophonie, addressing innovation in development, digitalization, entrepreneurship, and economic models.
She also served as Director of the Mobilization of Research and Innovation Department at the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), promoting the social impact of research. Returning to AFD in 2018 as Head of AFD Campus, she has championed new learning methods and collective intelligence to address global challenges. Her work includes developing digital educational platforms like AFD Edflex and promoting peer-to-peer learning and innovation-driven teaching. She believes that fostering human qualities and transformation is essential for building a better future.
About the seminar
In her presentation titled “Does innovation replace the idea of progress? Advocacy for a third way,” Ms. Sarah Marniesse will delve into the critical discussion of how innovation has evolved to become a key driver of change. With the world facing unprecedented challenges—climate disruptions, biodiversity loss, and growing inequality—the role of innovation is more significant than ever.
The talk will explore whether innovation can serve as a replacement for the traditional notion of progress, how these two concepts have historically shaped society, and whether a new paradigm is needed to address the complexities of our modern world.
We encourage all interested students and researchers to attend this unique opportunity to gain insights and participate in a forward-looking discussion on innovation and its role in shaping the future.
