In our series sharing the stories and perspectives of ICSD members, we meet Justin Francis Leon V. Nicolas, Dean and Professor 6 at the College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman. With a background in academic leadership and doctoral research exploring creativity in social work practice, Justin shares insights into his work and his approach to social development.

1. Please tell us a little about yourself, your current role and your main areas of interest or expertise in social development.

I am currently the Dean and Professor 6 at the College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD), University of the Philippines Diliman. My academic leadership builds on prior appointments as Director of the Doctor of Social Development Program and Chairperson of the Department of Social Work. I completed my PhD in Social Work at The University of Newcastle, Australia, where my doctoral dissertation focused on articulating creativity in social work practice.

Beyond my administrative duties, I serve as a Board Member-at-Large for the International Consortium for Social Development (Global) and Board Secretary for Good Neighbors International Philippines. I am also an active peer reviewer for international outlets, including the Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work and Research on Social Work Practice. My scholarship lies at the intersection of creative social work practice, model-building as theorizing, community-based mental health, and radical compassion in social development. I have published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and international handbooks with Routledge, Springer, and Cognella. On a personal note, I am happily married and the proud father of two grown-up daughters.

2. What first drew you to the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD), and how long have you been involved with the organisation?

My path to ICSD began during my doctoral studies in Australia, where I was first exposed to the consortium’s scholarship and the foundational text by Manohar Pawar. I kept close tabs on the organization, noting the launch of the *International Journal of Community and Social Development* during international conferences. Over time, participating in virtual events—such as the conference in Johannesburg—deepened my engagement, leading me to formally join as a member.

3. How has being part of ICSD benefited you personally or professionally?

Professionally, aligning with ICSD was vital during my tenure as Director of the Doctor of Social Development Program at UP Diliman. ICSD represents the premier global academic space dedicated explicitly to social development, making it the most natural and strategically valuable international home for our college. It has expanded my global network, facilitated rich cross-cultural dialogues on social development theory and practice, and offered invaluable opportunities for research collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

4. Is there a particular ICSD experience, connection or opportunity that has been especially valuable or memorable for you?

Serving as Project Leader and Conference Director for the 10th ICSD Asia Pacific Biennial Conference hosted by UP CSWCD in October 2024 stands out as a defining highlight. Hosting the conference gave me the privilege of welcoming leading scholars like Manohar Pawar and Asok Sarkar to our campus. A deeply personal highlight of that event was co-composing the conference hymn, *”Harinawa,”* for which I performed and produced the English translation—a true blending of creative praxis and social development!

6. You have recently joined the ICSD Board. What do you hope to contribute in this role?

   First and foremost, I am committed to expanding ICSD’s presence and reach across the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Historically, many social work academics in our region defaulted to APASWE or IASSW, so I aim to position ICSD as an essential platform for multidisciplinary social development scholars. Looking ahead, I am eager to help bridge local grassroots scholarship with global dialogues, leverage research collaborations across member institutions, and strengthen our collective engagement in international policy spaces, including UN-level conventions.

7. What do you see as some of the most important social development issues or opportunities that ICSD should be engaging with over the next few years?

The most urgent frontier remains the political economy of exclusion and persistent systemic inequality. Across Global South contexts like the Philippines, the prevalence of precarious, informal labor leaves millions acutely vulnerable to economic shocks and environmental disasters. This directly connects to the imperative for ecological justice, climate action, and a just transition.

Furthermore, shifting regional demographics—such as rapid population ageing—demand new social protection frameworks. Finally, addressing governance deficits and institutional corruption is essential, as these directly compromise the delivery of vital social services and public infrastructure. ICSD is uniquely positioned to drive critical, transformative discourse on these intersecting realities

8. What would you say to someone considering becoming an ICSD member?

ICSD is rare in its ability to bring together social workers, community organizers, development practitioners, and allied scholars into a single global home. What makes it exceptionally special is its commitment to equity—offering tiered, accessible membership fees that intentionally welcome scholars and practitioners from the Global South. Its flat, egalitarian organizational culture fosters genuinely democratic participation, while its flagship journal and regional branches provide vibrant avenues for international collaboration. Joining ICSD means gaining a truly global, inclusive network dedicated to transformative social change.

We are pleased to announce the newly elected committee of its Asia Pacific Branch, led by Chairperson Prof Bipin Jojo. The election results have been confirmed by the election committee and the ICSD President.

The new committee comprises:

• Chairperson: Prof Bipin Jojo
• Deputy Chairperson: Prof Justin Nicolas
• Secretary: Ms Varathagowry Vasudevan
• Members at Large: Prof Kana Matsuo, Dr Lakshmana Govindappa, Prof Sanjoy Roy, Dr Sudhir Maske, Dr Ushnish Guha and Pof Shu Fang.

ICSD thanks all members who participated in the elections and congratulates the elected committee.

“We wish Prof Jojo and his colleagues every success as they work to grow and diversify the Asia Pacific Branch and strengthen its contribution to social development across the region,” said Prof Leila Patel, ICSD President.

No nominations were received for the Treasurer position in either round of nominations. The election committee will initiate a new nomination process for this role. In the meantime, the newly elected committee will proceed with its work.

Additional information on abstract submission, important dates, registration, and conference participation can be found in the conference flyer and on the conference website: www.nisd.ac.lk.

The ICSD Asia-Pacific Branch is preparing for two important developments in 2026: the rescheduled Branch Conference in Bangalore, India, and the election of a new Executive Body.

The Branch Conference, originally planned for July 2026, has been rescheduled and will now take place from 15–17 November 2026 at Christ University, Bangalore. The revised dates were agreed following contextual and logistical considerations, including venue arrangements, accommodation, the academic calendar and the availability of student volunteers. The host organisations, Christ University and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), are preparing an updated conference brochure, which will be circulated once finalised.

The Branch is also preparing for a leadership transition. The current office bearers of the ICSD Asia-Pacific Branch will complete their tenure in June 2026, and a new Executive Body is expected to take up responsibility from 1 July 2026. The election process will be announced as per the ICSD procedures and its Standard Operating Procedure for ICSD elections.

Together, the rescheduled conference and the planned leadership transition mark an important moment for the Asia-Pacific Branch as it continues to strengthen its regional activities and organisational structures.

Asok Kumar Sakar, ICSD Asia-Pacific Branch

The proceedings of the 10th ICSD Asia-Pacific Biennial Conference have recently been published. Hosted by the College of Social Work and Community Development at the University of the Philippines Diliman, the conference took place on 23–24 October 2024 under the theme “The Fifth Industrial Revolution Amidst Multifaceted Disruptions: Harnessing the Power of Social Development.”

The report documents keynote contributions, plenary discussions, cultural exchanges, and 21 parallel sessions with 71 presentations, reflecting the breadth of social development scholarship and practice in the region.

Access the full proceedings here. For further information, members may contact Dr Justin Francis Leon V. Nicolas, Conference Director.