Four years ago, the world adopted an ambitious set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) designed ‘to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030’. Despite rising life expectancy and the eradication of many endemic diseases, more than 400 million people in the member states of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) still live in absolute poverty, subsisting on less than US$1.90 per day. It is, perhaps, these countries that face the greatest challenges in fulfilling the SDGs. Traditional methods of development finance have struggled to alleviate the extreme poverty in some regions of the world, leaving the poorest populations without the basic building blocks needed to lead healthy lives and build dignified livelihoods. Many remain deprived of primary healthcare, protection against infectious diseases, a sufficient and nutritious food supply, potable water, clean power, and sanitation.

History, it feels, is quickening pace. Pandemics, both old and new, are rocking the world, shaking its foundations. Systemic racism, an age-old disease, continues to facilitate violence on black bodies and undermine humanity, while a novel coronavirus has killed hundreds of thousands, disproportionately affected people of colour, and compounded the often racial inequalities that characterise our societies. Protestors now fill the streets, and across much of the anglophone world a tipping point has been reached. What will emerge from this moment is hard to say. A better question may be what do we want to emerge? Either way, there can be little doubt, change is afoot - and it’s been a long time coming.

In its short and controversial history, neoconservatism has changed America. For almost 60 years, the ideology has variously been embraced and rejected; celebrated for its patriotism and commitment to democracy; and disdained for it hawkish arrogance and imperialistic tendencies. It has simultaneously proven uniquely divisive, while also unifying people across party lines. Quite simply, recent American political history cannot be made sense of without an understanding of neoconservatism; such has been its influence.

When you have important research to share, speaking at a conference is one of the best ways to network, create connections, and make your voice heard—but with so many people competing for attention, sometimes it can feel more like a drop in a bucket. In times like this, you need a secret weapon—something that makes your presentation stand out and ensures that audience members will remember it enough to take action. Check out our conference listings

When thinking about conferences, we most often discuss academic conferences. However, throughout the twentieth century, the conference was an important meeting format for politicians and diplomats as well as academics. Some of the most important historical events of the century involved conference meetings which had a huge impact on national and international policy. One such key conference was the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993, which was the first human rights conference since the end of the Cold War and which was instrumental in specifying universal human rights.

Conferences have been a force for development and diplomacy on the international stage throughout the twentieth century. Here are five of the most famous conferences which have shaped our modern world. Download the Conference Monkey Directory - 6 Month Conference List

Everyone knows that it's important for the development of your research to attend conferences, and, if you are feeling up to it, to also present your work. Presenting at a conference, scary as it can be, allows other people in your field to comment on your work, often prompting discussion that can help you review your research's weaker parts while crystallising its stronger aspects.

Conferences can range in size from less than fifty attendees to tens of thousands of attendees. But which is better to attend for your career: a larger or a smaller conference? Download the Conference Monkey Directory - 6 Month Conference List

Conferences are a key part of academic life, but they can be difficult events for women to thrive in. Much like in other spheres of life, women experience harassment, danger, and judgment. Conferences need to do more to help women at conferences feel safe, secure, and free to talk, share their ideas, and grow. Read on to learn more about the problems women face at conferences at what conference organisers can do to help.

Every academic seems to be perpetually carrying around a huge stack of papers to read, but it can be tough to keep track of all of the notes that you write when you read these papers. Here are five ways to keep your notes organised, whether you're reading at home or travelling to a conference. Download the Conference Monkey Directory - 6 Month Conference List

Learning and education professionals and researchers should be sure to check out these top conferences in education being held in Europe in 2018: Download the Conference Monkey Directory - 6 Month Conference List

Organising a conference can be an extremely rewarding experience. Not only can sitting around debating for a few days with a bunch of academics and experts be greatly intellectually stimulating, conferences are also a chance to learn new, predominantly soft, skills, as well as being advantageous for your career. However, organising a conference is no small feat. A lot of thought and careful planning goes towards getting together so many people, and not only from a thematic point of view - there's also promotion, social media, and logistical details like heating and lunch.

You've checked the program, you've prepared your slides, you've booked your accommodation, so now you're all ready to head off to your academic conference. Just one problem – you need to decide what you're going to wear and pack it before you leave. What is acceptable attire for a conference, and how can you make sure that what you're wearing is appropriate? We're here to help with our guide on what to wear to academic conferences. We've already covered what women should wear in a separate post, so today we're looking at tips for men.

We often talk here about the importance of networking while you're at a conference. The opportunity to meet and discuss research with your fellow academics will help with your own work, and getting to know people in your industry will help you with job hunting and other career issues.

Most academics have professional social media accounts now, but these aren't always used as effectively as they could be. Here are 6 ways to get the most from social media when you're attending a conference. If you're heading to a conference this year and need some light relief, check out our piece on the ten best jokes heard at academic conferences.

When it comes to attending conferences, there are some rules you should always follow. If you're in doubt, remember these five mistakes to avoid at a conference. If you're looking to attend a conference this year but aren't sure which one to go to, check out our Insight into the top 5 can't-miss conferences.