Newsletter June 2026: From Doha to Action: ICSD’s Strategic Renewal and Global Engagement

President’s Message

The ICSD board and its members have been hard at work in the first half of the year to strengthen the internal foundations of the organisation to respond effectively to the global challenges that we face. This is a necessary step as the ICSD transitions from the positive momentum generated in the lead up to, and during the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha in November 2025, toward implementation of our commitments, strategic renewal, and stronger member engagement. I wish to thank our board members for their contribution to building and strengthening the ICSD’s governance.

Thank you to our members for sharing their views with us through your participation in our member surveys. Please do review the strategic plan as it provides a platform for action for the next three years. I call on our members to participate actively in our different forums, in social media, our website and most importantly to play an active role in our regional branches. Welcome to our newsletter editor, Michael Haas who joined us late last year. We hope that you enjoy reading about our achievements, challenges and plans. Please feel free to provide us with your feedback.

Leila Patel, President, ICSD

Member Voices Shape ICSD’s Strategic Renewal

ICSD’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 has been shaped by member input, including the March 2026 member survey. The story highlights members’ priorities for stronger communication, regional inclusion, scholarship, governance, the SDI journal and year-round engagement beyond conferences. Read the full story here.

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ICSD and the UN: From Doha to CSocD64

In this series of stories, we bring news on members’ views on strengthening the ICSD’s engagement with the UN; ICSD’s delegation and maiden side event at CSocD64, reflections from the Civil Society Forum, and ICSD’s visibility within the NGO Committee for Social Development (CSocD). Also see the call for the nomination of ICSD members to represent us in UN forums.

Strengthening ICSD’s Engagement with the United Nations

A recent survey of ICSD delegates involved in the Second World Summit for Social Development, CSocD64 and the NGO Committee for Social Development shows strong support for deeper and more structured UN engagement. Members emphasised the need for transparency, inclusive representation, capacity building and clear governance arrangements. Read the full note here.

Call for Expressions of Interest: ICSD-UN Engagement Representatives

ICSD invites members to submit expressions of interest to serve as representatives for the organisation’s engagement with UN social development processes, especially CSocD and the NGO Committee for Social Development. Applications should include a short motivation letter, updated CV and brief funding plan.

Deadline: Friday, 19 June 2026
Submit to your email application to Dr Mahesh Chagoule, Secretary General here.

Read the full announcement here.

ICSD Delegation Participates in CSocD64 and ICSD’s Maiden Side Event

An ICSD delegation led by Prof. Chathapuram “Ram” Ramanathan participated in CSocD64 and related NGO Committee for Social Development deliberations at UN Headquarters in New York from 2–10 February 2026. The delegation also contributed to ICSD’s first side event, marking an important moment in the organisation’s UN engagement. Read the full story by Prof. Ramanathan.

ICSD’s First UN Side Event Highlights Cross-Sector Collaboration for Doha Implementation

ICSD’s first-ever side event at the 64th Commission for Social Development took place in New York on 2 February 2026 under the theme “Implementation of the Doha Political Declaration: Strategies for Cross-Sector Collaborations and Integrated Approaches.” Curated and moderated by Prof. Manohar Pawar, the event brought together speakers from the UN system, academia, civil society and international organisations. Read the full report by Prof. Pawar here.

ICSD at CSocD64: Civil Society, Doha and the Implementation Agenda

Li Zou reflects on ICSD’s participation in CSocD64, the Civil Society Forum and the broader role of civil society in turning the Doha Political Declaration into coordinated action. Her contribution highlights ICSD’s growing presence in UN spaces and its potential to connect evidence-based research with global policy dialogue and local practice. Read the full story here.

ICSD Showcased at NGO CSocD April Meeting

Li Zou presented ICSD at the April monthly meeting of the NGO Committee for Social Development. The Member Showcase highlighted ICSD as a membership-based knowledge hub connecting scholars, practitioners, institutions and students across social work, social policy and social development. Read the full note here.

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Institutional Updates

This section shares key institutional developments within ICSD, including the transition of Social Development Issues to Northern Michigan University Library Services, recent journal updates and new publication categories, and the Sanders Family Gift honouring the legacy of Daniel and Christobel Sanders.

Social Development Issues Moves to Northern Michigan University Library Services

Social Development Issues, ICSD’s online peer-reviewed journal, is entering a new phase through a Memorandum of Understanding with Northern Michigan University Library Services. The transition will strengthen SDI’s digital infrastructure, support access to current and past issues, and prepare the platform with attention to future indexing requirements. Read the full story here.

Journal Update: New Issues and New Publication Categories

SDI has published Issues 1, 2 and 3 of Volume 47 on the ICSD website, while Issue 1 of Volume 48 is in final proofing. The journal is also introducing new publication categories, including “Challenges and Future Directions for Social Development,” “Field Notes in Social Development,” and “Book Reviews.” Read the full note here.

Sanders Family Gift Honours Daniel and Christobel Sanders’ Legacy

ICSD is honoured to announce an estate gift of $84,111 from the Christobel C. Sanders Trust. The gift will sustain the biennial Dan Sanders Peace and Social Justice Memorial Lecture in perpetuity and honours the lasting contributions of Daniel and Christobel Sanders to peace, human rights, social justice and international social development. Read the full announcement here. 

View endowment guidelines.

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Branch News and Regional Engagement

This section highlights recent and upcoming activities across ICSD’s regional branches. It includes updates from the Africa, Asia-Pacific and European Branches, showing how regional conferences, publications, leadership transitions and thematic initiatives continue to strengthen ICSD’s global network and footprint.

Africa Branch Builds Momentum toward Nairobi Colloquium

The ICSD Africa Branch hosted its first webinar of the year on 25 March 2026, featuring Prof. Antoinette Lombard on reflections from the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha. The Branch is also preparing for its Colloquium in Nairobi, Kenya, on 24–25 June 2026 under the theme “African Solutions to Achieving the Vision of the Doha Political Declaration.” Read the full story here.

Asia-Pacific Branch Prepares for Bangalore Conference and Leadership Transition

The ICSD Asia-Pacific Branch Conference has been rescheduled and will now take place from 15–17 November 2026 at Christ University, Bangalore. The Branch is also preparing for a leadership transition, with the current office bearers completing their tenure in June 2026 and a new Executive Body expected to take up responsibility from 1 July 2026. Read the full note here. 

Asia-Pacific Branch Conference Proceedings Published 

The proceedings of the 10th ICSD Asia-Pacific Biennial Conference, held on 23–24 October 2024 at the University of the Philippines Diliman, have now been published. The report documents keynote contributions, plenary discussions, cultural exchanges and 21 parallel sessions with 71 presentations. Access the proceedings here. 

European Branch Plans 2027 Conference on Peace and Social Work

The ICSD European Branch is planning its next conference in Assisi, Italy, in June 2027 under the working theme “Building the Peace.” The conference will explore peace as a foundation for social welfare, social justice, human rights and social development. Read the full note here.

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Upcoming ICSD Conferences and Events

This section brings together forthcoming ICSD conferences, branch events and partnership activities. It is intended as a short “Save the Date” overview, helping members identify upcoming opportunities for participation, exchange and collaboration.

Save the dates – see all events here.

Africa Branch Colloquium

Dates: 24–25 June 2026
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Theme: “African Solutions to Achieving the Vision of the Doha Political Declaration.”

Asia-Pacific Branch Conference

Dates: 15–17 November 2026
Location: Christ University, Bangalore, India
The rescheduled Branch Conference will support regional exchange and coincide with an important period of organisational transition.

11th International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health

Dates: 5–8 January 2027
Location: Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Ernakulam, Kerala, India
ICSD will support the conference as a professional body and encourage member participation as delegates, presenters and resource persons.

ICSD and CSocD65

Date: February 2027
ICSD plans to participate in the 65th session of the Commission for Social Development, with further details to follow.

European Branch Conference

Planned date: June 2027
Location: Assisi, Italy
Theme: “Building the Peace.”

25th ICSD Biennial Conference

Dates: 16–18 July 2027
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
The conference will be co-hosted by Clark Atlanta University and the University of Georgia on the campus of Clark Atlanta University. The theme ““Advancing Humanity, Social Rights and Sustainable Development: A Reset for the 21st Century.”

See all event details here.

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Share Your Updates for Future Issues

ICSD members are warmly invited to help make the newsletter a shared space for exchange. Please send short updates, photos, calls, event announcements, publication news and regional developments for future issues. Contributions from branches, committees, institutional members, students and individual members are all welcome.

Submit your contribution.

Join or Renew Your ICSD Membership

As ICSD moves from Doha to action, membership is an invitation to help shape an international community committed to social development through research, practice, dialogue and cooperation. Members can contribute to regional branches, conferences, publications, working groups, UN-related engagement and future newsletter issues.

Click here to join or renew your ICSD membership.

Thank you to all ICSD members, branches, contributors and partners who continue to strengthen our global community. We encourage you to read the full stories on the ICSD website, share them with colleagues and stay actively involved in ICSD’s regional, scholarly and policy-oriented work. Your updates, reflections and announcements are always welcome for future issues.