Call for Proposals- A Special Issue on the Second World Summit for Social Development Social Development Issues

 Call for Proposals 

Social Development Issues 

A Special Issue on the Second World Summit for Social Development Social Development Issues, Vol. 49 – 2027 

Editors: Benjamin Lough, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign 

 Lynne Healy, University of Connecticut School of Social Work   

Submission Deadline for Proposals:  November 30, 2025 

The Second World Summit for Social Development, to be held in Qatar in November 2025, marks a key moment in  global efforts to advance social progress. Building on the commitments made at the 1995 World Summit for Social  Development in Copenhagen, it presents an opportunity to reassess global commitments to social progress, in light  of emerging challenges and persistent inequalities. The Summit will focus on three core pillars that remain essential  

to social development: (1) poverty eradication, (2) full and productive employment and decent work for all, and (3)  social inclusion. This special issue aims to serve as a platform for rigorous debate and fresh perspectives on the  evolving landscape of global social development. 

This special issue of Social Development Issues will highlight research and analysis that critically engage with the  Summit’s objectives, themes, and policy implications, offering insights into its potential impact on national and  international social development strategies. We welcome contributions that explore the Summit’s significance,  including but not limited to: 

  • Revisiting the Copenhagen Commitments. How have the original social development goals evolved over  the past three decades, and where do gaps remain? What actions are needed to address them and the SDGs? 
  • Policy and Governance Perspectives. Analyses of global, national, or local policy frameworks that  respond to the Summit’s agenda, including policy design and implementation. What constraints might  impact the effectiveness of these policies? 
  • Challenges in Measuring Social Progress: Critical assessments of how poverty, employment, and  inclusion are quantified and evaluated in international research or policy. 
  • Regional and Context-Specific Approaches: Comparative studies on how different regions or sectors  interpret and implement social development goals. 
  • Intersectional and Cross-Sectoral Solutions: Research that examines how intersectionality, cross-sector  collaboration, and multi-disciplinary approaches can be integrated to advance social well-being. 

Proposals for complete papers should follow these sections as applicable to the proposed paper: Objective,  Literature Review, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. Paper proposals should outline the research focus, key  arguments, and relevance to the 2025 Summit. Proposals should not exceed 1000 words (2-4 pages with references and an  abstract of 50 words).  

  • Send in electronic format to the Editor of Social Development Issues at sdijournal@uga.edu by November 30, 2025.
  • Authors will be notified by February 1, 2026 of the decision regarding the submission of completed manuscripts.  Authors of selected abstracts will be invited to submit full manuscripts for peer review. 
  • Completed manuscripts are due May 1, 2026, and will be peer reviewed.  

All work must be original, unpublished, and not submitted for publication elsewhere. For information, contact Ben Lough,  bjlough@illinois.edu or Philip Hong, sdijournal@uga.edu

Invitation to the Inaugural Colloquium of the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD) Africa Branch

Invitation to the Inaugural Colloquium of the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD) Africa Branch

The newly launched Africa branch of the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD) will be hosting its inaugural colloquium from 14 – 15 March 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The colloquium will be hosted as an intimate in-person gathering of eminent social development experts from across the African continent. We are delighted to welcome Prof Leila Patel and Prof Abye Tasse, renowned academics in the field of Social Work and Social Policy and Development in Africa, as our keynote speakers at the colloquium.

We invite you, as one of these identified experts, to submit an abstract for a paper to be presented at the colloquium. The colloquium will be held under the theme:

When Crises Collide: Social Development Responses to Intersecting Crises in Africa
Driving Social Development in Africa

The Colloquium aspires to bring together eminent social development scholars, activists, practitioners or policymakers in Africa to:

  • Showcase what new and cutting-edge insights and solutions you are researching, implementing, and evaluating;
  • Engage with other leading social development thinkers and practitioners on the continent;
  • Network with other social development stakeholders; and
  • Build the ICSD Africa Branch.
  • Submit a Paper Abstract

Poverty and inequality are longstanding challenges in Africa. More recently, Africa has been severely affected by the global Covid-19 pandemic, and climate change and natural disasters have also had a calamitous impact on African lives and the economy. These challenges mean that the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals is at risk. Yet significant innovation in development efforts is also needed to address these interconnecting crises. The purpose of the colloquium will be to present research that unpacks these challenges whilst highlighting innovative responses to them.

You are therefore invited to submit an abstract for a paper that addresses any of the following  subthemes:

  • Social development effects of, and responses to climate change.
  • Understanding and addressing conflict and violence through a social development lens.
  • Social development responses to promoting gender equality.
  • Responding to crises through a social development approach.

• Abstracts can be submitted for both research papers and practice or policy reflections.
• Abstracts should be detailed, indicating a problem statement, the research, policy or practice response, methods used and key findings or reflections.
• Abstracts should be detailed but limited to not more than 300 words.

>> Click here to submit an abstract <<

Key Dates and Deadlines

31 January 2023 – Deadline for Submission of Abstracts

10 February 2023 – Notification of Acceptance of Abstracts

01 March 2023 – Final Date for Registration

14 – 15 March 2023 – ICSD Africa Colloquium

Please note that the conference is free to attend. This invitation is NOT transferable.

>> Click here to register to attend <<

A virtual symposium on child well-being outcomes for early grade learners

You are invited to a virtual symposium to share research findings and lessons learned from a community of practice model (CoP) supported by the NRF to deliver joined-up care and support services for early grade learners in our schools. You will have the opportunity to engage with a multidisciplinary team of researchers, practitioners, community organisations and decision- makers to find solutions to improve child well-being.

CoP Symposium

Find out more on the symposium website HERE

Click HERE and RSVP for the symposium

For more information visit the CoP portal

www.communitiesforchildwellbeing.org

#CoP4ChildWellbeing |twitter- @csda_uj I Facebook – @csda.uj

Invitation to Africa Day Indaba 2022 – Social Work and Development

Invitation to Africa Day Indaba 2022 – Social Work and Development

We are glad to inform you that the African Social Work Network and Association of Schools of Social Work in Africa have organised the first Africa Day Indaba 2022 – Social Work and Development. This is a free event but registration is required. Click here to register. It takes only about 2 minutes to register.

Date: Friday 27th May from 10am East African Time/9am Central African Time/8am West African Time

The event will use AU’s theme for 2022 which is Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition and Food Security on the African Continent: Strengthening Agro-Food Systems, Health and Social Protection Systems for the Acceleration of Human, Social and Economic Capital Development.

Keynote speaker

Professor Rodreck Mupedziswa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, The Quest for Relevance: Rethinking Strategies for the Practical Fieldwork Component of Social Work Education and Training in Africa.

Mr. Neeleshwar Viveksingh Urjoon, Mauritius, African Social Work Award 2021 Speech.

Speakers
Speakers from ASWNet and AASWA.

Further details are here: https://africasocialwork.net/events/

We hope to see you on the 27th – here is the registration link.

For further details, email asw@africasocialwork.net or the Indaba Convenor, Dr Rugare J. Mugumbate on jmugumba@uow.edu.au