March, 2026

Now Available: SDI Journal Volume 47 (Issue 2), 2025 Special Issue

March 23, 2026

A new issue of Social Development Issues (SDI) Journal is now available. Volume 47 (Issue 2), 2025, is a Special Issue emerging from the 24th ICSD Biennial Conference held in Kochi, Kerala, India.

This Special Issue highlights scholarly contributions and critical discussions presented at the conference, reflecting diverse perspectives on social development in contemporary contexts. The Special Issue is currently accessible online: https://www.socialdevelopment.net/volume-47-issue-2/

We gratefully acknowledge the editorial leadership of the Special Issue Editors:

Kiran Thampi, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), India
Wassie Kebede, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Alice K. Butterfield, University of Illinois Chicago, USA

Announcement and Call for Abstracts Third ICSD Africa Branch Colloquium 24–25 June 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya

March 21, 2026

The ICSD Africa Branch is pleased to announce the Third ICSD Africa Branch Colloquium, to be held on 24–25 June 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, as a pre-conference event of the 2026 Joint World Conference on Social Work and Social Development (SWSD 2026), themed “Harambee for Sustainable Shared Futures.”

Convened in the wake of the Second World Summit for Social Development (Doha, November 2025), this colloquium provides a critical African platform to examine how the commitments of the Doha Political Declaration can be realized within diverse African contexts through locally grounded, evidence-based, and socially just approaches. The colloquium is organized under the theme:
“African Solutions to Achieving the Vision of the Doha Political Declaration.”

Recognizing that sustainable solutions to Africa’s complex development challenges must emerge from within the continent, this event seeks to bring together scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and civil society actors to critically engage with these challenges and advance contextually relevant and transformative social development innovations.

Call for Abstracts

We invite abstracts for papers that provide empirical insight into African social development innovations engaging with the Doha Declaration, particularly in relation to the following priority areas: (1) eradicating poverty; (2) promoting full and productive employment and decent work for all; (3) advancing social integration; and (4) addressing social development skills and human capital loss in Africa.

Submissions should emphasize rigorous empirical research rather than descriptive accounts of programs. Abstracts must clearly articulate the novelty and significance of the innovation, outline the research design and methodology, present empirical findings and observed impacts, and discuss implications for social development theory, policy, and practice within African contexts.

Submission Guidelines

Abstracts should be 250–300 words and include author(s) names, institutional affiliations, and contact information.
Submission link: CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT

Important Dates

10 April 2026 – Abstract submission deadline
20 April 2026 – Notification of acceptance
24–25 June 2026 – Colloquium dates

Participation will be limited to 70 participants, with confirmation on a first-come, first-served basis upon acceptance. A registration fee of USD $50 applies. Further details regarding registration and payment will be shared with accepted participants.

We warmly encourage ICSD members and affiliated scholars to contribute to this important forum and to engage in advancing evidence-based, contextually grounded, and socially just solutions for social development across Africa.

Invitation: ICSD Africa Working Paper Webinar Series 2026

March 16, 2026

The ICSD Africa Branch Working Paper Webinar Series continues in 2026 with an important presentation reflecting on global developments in social development policy and practice.

This upcoming webinar (on March 25, 2026), “Reflections on the Second World Summit for Social Development | Doha, Qatar | 2025,” will feature Prof. Antoinette Lombard, Professor of Social Work at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and President of the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW).

During the session, Prof. Lombard will share first-hand reflections from the Second World Summit for Social Development, where global leaders, policymakers, and civil society actors gathered in Doha, Qatar to renew international commitments to social justice, poverty eradication, and inclusive social development. Her reflections will provide valuable insights into the key discussions, priorities, and implications of the summit for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers working in the field of social development.

The webinar will be chaired by Dr. Khanya Ndhlovu, Researcher at the Centre for Social Development in Africa, University of Johannesburg.

We warmly encourage ICSD members and colleagues to register for this engaging session and contribute to the conversation on advancing global and regional social development agendas.

Invitation: World Social Work Day 2026 at the United Nations Office in Geneva

March 13, 2026

You are warmly invited to participate in World Social Work Day 2026, which will be celebrated at the United Nations Office in Geneva on 18 March 2026 (10:00–15:30 CET). The event will be held virtually via Zoom, providing an opportunity for members around the world to join the discussion.

This year’s theme, “Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society,” highlights the essential role of social work in strengthening social cohesion, rebuilding trust, and fostering inclusive and resilient communities. Inspired by the African philosophy of harambee—meaning “pulling together”—the event emphasizes collective action and collaboration in addressing social divisions across communities, institutions, and societies.

The WSWD 2026 will explore several important questions relevant to social work practice and policy: aims to explore four issues:

How can we foster social cohesion in marginalized communities?
How can we overcome conflict, polarization and exclusion?
How can social work contribute to building resilient communities?
How can social workers and UN organizations work together for inclusive, resilient and peaceful societies?

We encourage ICSD members and colleagues to register and participate in this important global dialogue on the future of social development and social work.

Please register and join the session to engage with scholars, practitioners, and international organizations working toward more inclusive and harmonious societies.