The eighth RENPER Conference has been a success. The conference held by San Beda University, Philippines, for two days, 24 and 25 October 2018. This year’s theme is “Urban Poverty Reduction Challenges, policy initiatives, programs, and practices”. This conference brings together researchers and scholars to discuss various topics and development on the issues of poverty reduction and eradication aimed at helping countries around the world, and particularly in Asian region. The Conference was attended by more than 100 researchers from various universities in Asia. The pre-researchers came from Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and from the Philippines.

A two-day conference was held on the campus of San Beda University, in the center of Manila. A very beautiful campus filled with many ancient buildings that are very conducive to teaching and learning. The hospitality of all staff, lecturers and students has made this conference very memorable. Traffic problems in the City of Manila are like redeeming an atmosphere of peace and friendliness when entering the campus area of San Beda University. Most participants stay at the Linden Suites Hotel, 20 minutes of normal traffic, transfer and pick up with San Beda Bus, and with great hospitality.

In the series of opening ceremony, Very Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. A. Maranan, OSB, Ed.D, Rector-President, San Beda University, Manila, Philippines, as the host, conveyed the welcome remarks and acknoledgement of guest and participants. Fr. Aloysius believe that this conference is important to make a real contribution to various efforts for poverty reduction and eradication in all countries around the world, and particularly in Asian region. President of RENPER and also Rector-President of the University of Bengkulu, Bengkulu, Indonesia also delivered a welcome message. The President of RENPER underlined that RENPER must move from a series of dialogues towards making a real contribution to various poverty reduction efforts in each member country. Discussions and dialogues continue to be carried out to share and update new knowledge and experience in poverty reduction. On the other hand, RENPER’s thoughts must enter and color various poverty reduction policies in member countries.

There are four keynote speakers whose presentation material provides inspiration for further discussion in the panel. These inspirations, in addition to providing new insights for participants, also provide interesting ideas to be applied at each university in carrying out poverty reduction activities. The first keynote was delivered by Prof. Dato. Dr. Hj. Ibrahim Che Omar, Founding President of RENPER, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Malaysia, delivered the material entitled “RENPER: Championing Social Entrepreneurship”. The second keynote by Dr. Ridwan Nurazi, M.Sc., President of RENPER, Rector of the University of Bengkulu, Bengkulu, Indonesia, delivered the material entitled “The contribution of financial development on income quality and poverty: Empirical evidence from the ASEAN economy”. The third keynote by Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Ph.D., Founder of Kalinga Institute of Technology and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, Member of Parliament, India, with the title “Poverty Eradication through Quality Education”. And the fourth keynote was delivered by Sueji Ueda, Ph.D., Professor Department of Education, Deputy Vice President, University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo, Japan, with the title “Approach to poverty, inequality, and health.

61 selected papers were discussed in two days. Presenters from these papers are grouped into 6 sub-themes. The sub-themes include ‘Sustainable Cities and Communities’, ‘Poverty and Hunger’, ‘Education and Employment’, ‘Environmental Sustainability’, ‘Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions’, and ‘Health and Wellness’. After the closing program on the second day, participants were invited to be guided tour on poverty and social realities in Manila.