INVITATION TO ATTEND | Third ICSD Africa Branch Colloquium | Nairobi, Kenya| 24 – 25 June 2026

African Solutions to Achieving the Vision of the Doha Political Declaration

The colloquium is organised as a pre-conference event of the 2026 Joint World Conference on Social Work and Social Development, themed “Harambee for Sustainable Shared Futures.”

The International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD) Africa Branch is pleased to invite you to attend the Third ICSD Africa Branch Colloquium, taking place from 24–25 June 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The colloquium is convened in the wake of the Second World Summit for Social Development held in Doha, Qatar, in November 2025. It provides a critical African platform for examining how the summit commitments can be realised across diverse African contexts through locally grounded, evidence-based, and socially just approaches.

Held under the theme, “African Solutions to Achieving the Vision of the Doha Political Declaration,” the colloquium will bring together scholars, practitioners, policymakers, students, and civil society actors from across the continent to critically engage with Africa’s development challenges and advance contextually grounded social development solutions.

The programme will focus on key social development priorities, including:

  • Eradicating poverty
  • Promoting full and productive employment and decent work for all
  • Advancing social integration
  • Addressing the social development skills and human capital loss in Africa

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Professor Wassie Kebede, Professor of Social Work at the School of Social Work, Addis Ababa University. Prof Kebede is the first social work scholar in Ethiopia to attain this position.

Date: 24 – 25 June 2026
Venue: Sarova Stanley Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya
Cost: $50 (details regarding payment will be provided once registered)
Registration link: https://form.jotform.com/261133641543551

Please note that participation is limited to 70 attendees, and registration will be confirmed on a first come, first served basis.

We look forward to welcoming you to Nairobi for what promises to be an engaging and impactful colloquium.

For further information, kindly contact Dr Khanya Ndhlovu at kndhlovu@uj.ac.za

REGISTER HERE!

Advancing Social Development at CSocD64: Civil Society Engagement at the United Nations

The 64th session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD64) is currently taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, bringing together Member States, UN agencies, and civil society organizations to strengthen global action on poverty eradication, social inclusion, and sustainable social development. This year’s session continues to emphasize the central role of inclusive policies and partnerships in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

As part of CSocD64, the NGO Commission for Social Development is convening its Civil Society Forum, providing a vital platform for dialogue between civil society actors and global decision-makers. The Forum will feature a panel of distinguished speakers and will be moderated by Li Zou, (Member, International Consortium for Social Development; International Director at the Center for Social Development, Washington University), facilitating discussion on key social development priorities and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.

We encourage our members, partners, practitioners, and scholars to join this important session and engage in collective efforts to ensure that social development policies leave no one behind.

Civil Society Forum – Session Details
Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
Time: 10:00–10:30 AM (EST)
Live Stream: UN Web TV
Link: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1b/k1b394qy2d

Civil society participation remains essential to advancing inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development outcomes worldwide. We look forward to your engagement in this timely global conversation.

ICSD Delegates to Participate in the 64th UN Commission for Social Development

Delegates from the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD) will be participating in the 64th session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development, which will be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from February 2 to February 10, 2026.

The Commission for Social Development is a key global forum focused on social policy and development issues. This year’s session will emphasize advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Doha Political Declaration, both of which guide international efforts to promote social inclusion, equity, and sustainable development.

Through their participation, ICSD delegates aim to contribute to global discussions, share knowledge, and engage with international partners working toward inclusive and sustainable social development worldwide.

You can find details of the event here.

Updated flyer and event details (Jan 29, 2026)