Asia-Pacific Branch

The 2nd International Conference on Social Development calls for abstracts & papers

June 8, 2026

The 2nd International Conference on Social Development (ICSD 2026), hosted by the National Institute of Social Development (NISD), Sri Lanka, will take place on 12 November 2026. Under the theme “Transforming Social Development Through Equity, Justice, and Accountability,” the conference aims to bring together academics, practitioners, students, and development professionals to engage with critical issues shaping social development today.

The conference will explore a range of sub-themes, including equitable service access, social justice and rights, accountable governance, community empowerment, reducing inequalities, mental health, and disaster management. Participants are invited to submit abstracts and papers that contribute to these areas of inquiry and practice.

The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Asok Kumar Sarkar, Professor in the Department of Social Work at Visva-Bharati University, West Bengal, India. The conference provides an opportunity for presenters and participants from Sri Lanka, the SAARC region, and the international community to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and contribute to advancing social development through principles of equity, justice, and accountability.

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.

Asia-Pacific Branch Prepares for Bangalore Conference and Leadership Transition

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

Asia-Pacific Branch Conference Proceedings Published

June 5, 2026

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.