Scales of Governance – BALPP & Sciences Po International Conference 2025
Sciences Po – BALPP International Conference 2025
Leadership & Governance Challenges in South Asia
July 22–23, 2025 | BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka | Entrance Free
Hosted by the Bandaranaike Academy for Leadership & Public Policy (BALPP) in partnership with Sciences Po
Conference Overview
The Sciences Po – BALPP Conference on Leadership & Governance Challenges in South Asia is a landmark international academic gathering, bringing together an exceptional network of scholars, policy analysts, and practitioners from across the region and beyond. Held over two days at the prestigious Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, this conference aims to foster critical, comparative, and constructive conversations on the evolving landscape of democracy, decentralization, and development in South Asia.
As Sri Lanka navigates profound political and institutional reforms, and as regional neighbors contend with questions of governance, federalism, and populism, this conference serves as a unique platform to unpack shared challenges, analyze trajectories, and explore collaborative pathways for inclusive and democratic governance.
Key Themes & Sessions
Each panel engages with a pressing contemporary issue in South Asian politics through a country-comparative lens. Discussions are designed to provoke rigorous debate while offering policy-relevant insights.
Day 1: Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Opening Session
Remarks by:
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Tara de Mel – Executive Director, BALPP
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H.E. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga – Former President of Sri Lanka & Chairperson, BALPP
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Alexandre Mariani – Co-Director, Sciences Po South Asia Program
Panel 1: Processes of (De)Democratization in South Asia
Chair: Prof. Nira Wickramasinghe, Leiden University
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Rajni Gamage (Sri Lanka)
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Mohammad Waseem (Pakistan):
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Mirza Hassan & Tariq Omar Ali (Bangladesh):
Panel 2: Federalism and Variants of Decentralization
Chair: Prof. Christophe Jaffrelot, Sciences Po/CNRS
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Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu (Sri Lanka)
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Asma Faiz (Pakistan)
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Proma Raychaudhuri (India)
Day 2: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Panel 3: Strengthening Urban and Local Bodies
Chair: Dr. Nadeera Rajapakse, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
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Mohamed Faslan (Sri Lanka)
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Lalitha Kamath & Amita Bhide (India)
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Salina Aziz & Mirza Hassan (Bangladesh)
Closing Session
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Samitha Hettige – Head of Academic Affairs, BALPP
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Aeshani Pereira – Chief Operating Officer, BALPP
Why Attend?
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Engage with Critical Research: Discover original research on topics such as populism, youth-led political movements, federalism, and the shifting balance of power in South Asian democracies.
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Hear from Global Scholars: Presenters include internationally respected academics such as Nira Wickramasinghe, Christophe Jaffrelot, and Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu.
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Network Across Borders: Connect with policymakers, researchers, civil society leaders, and emerging scholars from South Asia and Europe.
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Shape the Policy Conversation: Participate in meaningful dialogue on what leadership and governance should look like in the region’s future.
Featured Topics & Abstract Highlights
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The rise of youth-led political formations in Bangladesh and their transformation into new civil society and political forces.
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The contradictions of populist politics in Sri Lanka’s local government structures post-2024 elections.
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A deep dive into Indian municipal governance through the lens of crisis, resilience, and decentralization.
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A fresh reading of Pakistan’s establishmentarian democracy and the mechanics of civil-military balance.
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The complicated legacy and limits of federalism in Sri Lanka amid renewed calls for devolution and minority rights.
Practical Information
Venue: Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo, Sri Lanka
Dates: July 22–23, 2025
Entry: Free and open to the public (registration encouraged)
Join us in Colombo for two days of rigorous inquiry, sharp debate, and South Asian scholarship at its finest.