The International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD) mourns the passing of Professor James Midgley, one of the most influential and distinguished scholars in the history of social development. His death is a significant loss for the global social development community, but his intellectual legacy will continue to shape scholarship, policy and practice for years to come.

His contribution to the field was extraordinary in both scope and impact. Over an academic career spanning more than five decades, he helped define and advance the concept of social development as an integrated approach to social welfare, economic progress,  and human wellbeing. His scholarship challenged conventional thinking and offered new ways of understanding how social policy can contribute to equitable and inclusive growth and development.

A seminal scholar

A prolific and widely respected scholar, Professor Midgley authored and edited over 40  books, and produced more than one hundred peer-reviewed journal articles and contributed over one hundred and fifty book chapters. His seminal works including Professional Imperialism, Social Development: The Developmental Perspective in Social Welfare, Colonialism and Welfare, Social Policy for Development, Social Welfare for a Global Era and Inequality, Social Protection and Social Justice are some of the foundational texts for students, academics, and practitioners around the world. On his retirement as Dean of the School of Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkley, a special issue of the Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare was dedicated to his scholarly contribution to social investments, asset building and social development.

His latest book, Social Protection and Development: Growth, Welfare and Equity was published in May 2026, just before his passing. The book is dedicated to his colleague and friend, Leila Patel, the current President of the ICSD.  In this book, Midgley challenges neoliberal assumptions about social protection, demonstrating how well-designed social protection programmes can drive economic growth, enhance wellbeing, promote social stability and advance social justice, particularly in the Global South. His latest book is a synthesis of the core ideas that underpin his theory of welfare developmentalism, and of the role of social protection policies in achieving these outcomes. This book is set to become a valuable resource for academics, researchers, students and policymakers.  The book has received strong praise from leading scholars. Rebecca Surender of the University of Oxford commends its fresh analysis of the links between social protection, growth, and equity, while Silvia Borzutzky of Carnegie Mellon University highlights its successful integration of development and social protection in a cohesive and historically grounded way.

His writings were translated into multiple languages and remain among the most widely cited and influential contributions to social development scholarship.

His early career 

James Midgley was born in South Africa and commenced his academic career at the University of Cape Town. He then went on to study at the London School of Economics where he was later appointed by Richard Titmus, one of the most influential post war welfare and social policy scholars, to lead a post graduate academic programme on the study of social development in the developing world.  This experience opened productive areas of academic enquiry culminating in a diverse body of work.

His global influence

Throughout his career, he held distinguished academic appointments at leading institutions, including the University of Cape Town, the London School of Economics, Louisiana State University, and the University of California, Berkeley. His achievements were recognised through numerous national and international awards and fellowships. He held three Honorary Doctorates: one from this alma mater, the University of Cape Town, one from the University of Johannesburg and one from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.

Beyond these achievements he was admired for his intellectual curiosity, generosity, mentorship, and commitment to advancing knowledge for social justice. He was Honorary Professor at Nihon Fukushi University in Japan, the University of Johannesburg in South Africa, Sun Yat-sen University in China and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

His relationship with the ICSD

Professor Midgley’s relationship with the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD) spanned more than four decades. He was a steadfast supporter of the organisation and played a significant role in shaping its intellectual direction and global reach. He served on the Board of Managers of the ICSD’s journal, Social Development Issues, and was its longest standing book editor along with Michelle Livermore. He helped strengthen the Consortium’s scholarly contribution and to fostering critical dialogue on the pressing social challenges facing communities and societies around the world.

The significance of the Second World Summit for Social Development

Most recently, Professor Midgley continued to share his insights with the ICSD community, reflecting on the legacy of the 1995 World Summit on Social Development in the build up to the Second World Summit on Social Development held in Doha in November 2025. In his final interview with the ICSD President Leila Patel, he spoke about the ongoing importance of addressing poverty, inequality, and social justice and he commented on the role of international organisations in global social development. His commitment to the values and vision of social development never wavered.

Hope for the future

In the interview above, he said: “The pendulum doesn’t swing by itself, we have got to roll up our sleeves and make it swing. So, we need a very strong commitment, and I think again of the Shanti Khinduka lecture [delivered at ICSD 22^nd biennial symposium in 2021 hosted by the Centre for Social Development in Africa, University of Johannesburg]; I was so inspired when I came across people who are doing just that”. He went on to say that not only are they working “through organisations but in their daily lives, in their practice, people engaged in research and teaching at the university, all working towards positive progressive goals, and doing their best in that way. These are the things we need to do. You know you often think, what can I do? I am just one individual – but there are many little grains of sand on the seashore and they all form a whole. So, thinking about one’s own actions within the context of what we can do collectively. I have hope for the future.”

While we mourn his passing, we also celebrate a life dedicated to scholarship, learning, public leadership and engagement, and the pursuit of a more just and inclusive world.  James Midgley’s work transformed the field of social development and its raison d’être and inspired countless scholars, practitioners, and students across continents. His work was influential in shaping government policies too such as South Africa’s White Paper for Social Welfare of 1997.   His ideas will endure. His writings will continue to guide future scholars and global developments in social development.

The ICSD extends its deepest condolences to Professor Midgley’s wife Khadija Midgley and their family, friends, colleagues, former students, and all who were touched by his life and work.

We invite colleagues, friends, students and members of the global social development community to share a tribute, memory or message of condolence in celebration of Professor James Midgley’s extraordinary life and legacy.  You can submit your tribute here.

May his memory continue to inspire us.

Issued by: ICSD Board

Read other tributes to Prof Midgley

Read the moving tribute written by his wife Khadija Midgley here. 

Read Tributes from the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare here, Center for Social Development, Washington University here, the University of California Berkley Social Welfare Department here and the International Association of Schools of Social Work here.  Social Work Journals here. 

Dear ICSD members and friends,

Welcome to this issue of the ICSD Newsletter. As ICSD moves from the momentum of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha toward implementation, strategic renewal and stronger member engagement, this issue brings together updates from across our global community.

Below you will find short highlights from each contribution, with links to the full stories and announcements on the ICSD website.

We hope you enjoy this issue and find it both informative and inspiring!

By Professor Chathapuram (Ram) Ramanathan, Illinois State University, & Vice President, International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD).

President Leila Patel appointed Prof. Ram Ramanathan, Vice President, Planning and Evaluation to lead a delegation of 8 ICSD members (three ICSD board members : Vice President, Ram Ramanathan; Vice President, Fr. Saju; Director of Membership Dr. Vikash Kumar; Prof. Pawar, Former ICSD President; Dr. Hanae Kanno; Ms. Pravina Ramanathan, Ms. Li Zou; and Dr. Kavita Kapur) to the 64^th UN Commission for Social Development and the 64^th NGO Committee for Social Development, at the UN headquarters in New York.

I am pleased to share that the ICSD participation at the 64th Commission for Social Development was terrific. Members of the delegation had a working dinner the day before the opening of 64^th UN Commission for Social Development, on February 1, 2026.  Participating in the 64^th Commission for Social Development and The 64th NGO Committee for Social Development has been extremely valuable for all of us to learn more about UN’s role in promoting Social Development and engaging Non-Governmental Organization in promoting and actualizing sustainable social development.  These deliberations spanned from February 2^nd to February 10, 2026.

ICSD’s maiden side event occurred on February 2, 2026, and was well received to a packed room. I am happy to report all ICSD’s eight delegates were present.  In my role as VP for Planning and Evaluation, I coordinated with the largest democracy, India’s Permanent Mission, and their engagement with ICSD’s side event.  Subsequent to several discussions, with His Excellency Harish Parvathaneni, Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of India to the UN; Her Excellency Yojana Patel, (Deputy Ambassador, Permanent Mission of India to the UN) and several senior staff, secured Her Excellency Yojana Patel to deliver the inaugural address at ICSD’s maiden side event at the UN Headquarters in New York.  There were tremendous excitement, enthusiasm, and inspiration amongst the delegates and participants alike with Her Excellency Yojana Patel’s remarks on India’s accomplishments. She referred to lifting 171 million people in India out of poverty in the last 6 years. Her remarks on Women lead development and application of technology in rural sectors and highlighting the fact that several of these initiatives are women lead was impactful. Her excellency’s comments on India’s partnering and allocating over 500 million dollars for social development projects in the Global South, sharing of technology, expertise and developmental experiences were well received by the participants.   After Her Excellency’s address, I was invited to share my remarks.  My remarks referenced important domains to be pursued for effective implementation of the Doha Declaration.  Some of these included: Decolonizing of Knowledge, challenging disproportional western standards that determine validity of knowledge, engage in reciprocal learning that places cultural humility in the center of it all, and that peace and social development are directly proportional.

ICSD’s representation at the 64^th UN Commission for Social Development and the 64^th NGO Committee for Social Development, at the UN headquarters in New York, was realized, because now, ICSD has ECOSOC status. In all this, steady leadership of the past ICSD President, Manohar Pawar culminated in ICSD being conferred with ECOSOC status.  I am pleased, ICSD has a platform and have the possibility of crafting a framework from ICSD’s work of over half a century, promoting the focus on common human condition and the advancement of humanity globally.  I appreciate and cherish the opportunity to lead the delegation and drew inspiration and positive energies from my fellow delegates.  Collectively ICSD can continue to advance humanity globally.

This side event, hosted by ICSW in partnership with IASSW, IFSW, and ICSD, underscored integrated social policy as a cornerstone of sustainable development, highlighting how coordinated approaches across social protection, health, education, labour, and community empowerment can more effectively tackle complex challenges such as poverty, inequality, and poor health. The session featured presentations by our partner organisations. I

CSD President Prof. Leila Patel and Vice President Prof. Lauren Graham delivered a joint presentation strengthening this call for systemic, people-centred approaches to development. They shared how community-level innovations in South Africa offer valuable lessons for how integrated social protection systems can better support children, youth, and families across the life course. Despite global calls for harmonised policies, many countries still face fragmented service delivery and weak links to labour markets and social services. Drawing on two demonstration projects—the Basic Package of Support for Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) youth and the Communities of Practice for child wellbeing—they showed that meaningful integration requires alignment across policy, programme, and administrative levels, combined with strong frontline workers, sustained collaboration, and formal coordination mechanisms. These initiatives demonstrate how shared data, digital tools, and multi-sector partnerships can reconnect excluded youth to opportunities, improve wellbeing in schools, and strengthen accountability.

Read Prof Leila Patel and Prof Lauren Graham’s conbtibution here.

The UN Second World Summit for Social Development, held in Doha from 4 until 6 November 2026, marked a truly historic moment for the global social work and social development community. For the first time, the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD), the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW) and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) worked together as a unified civil society partnership throughout the Summit.

This collaboration shaped three successful solutions sessions organised by this partnership and featuring representatives from all four organisations. The sessions placed strong emphasis on integrated social policy, universal social protection and intergenerational solidarity.

In addition, a jointly crafted statement was submitted to the High-Level Round Table, drawing on the combined expertise of the four organisations. It underscored the need for integrated and effective social policies supported by smarter public spending that strengthens human capital and expands access to essential services, particularly for those left behind. The statement placed social work and social development practitioners at the heart of the care and support pillar, recognising their essential role in improving wellbeing, reducing vulnerability and building resilient communities. It called for greater investment in this workforce and for stronger coordination across social, economic and environmental policies to advance inclusive and sustainable development.

This call was supported by ICSD institutional members: the Centre for Social Development in Africa, University of Johannesburg; Centre for Social Development, Washington University; Danish Centre for Welfare Studies, University of Southern Denmark; and the Social Work and Social Development Research Alliance, Charles Sturt University, Australia.

During her pre-summit address, the United Nations Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed affirmed that social workers are at the forefront of social development. Her words resonated throughout the Summit and were welcomed by all partners as important recognition of the profession’s essential role in shaping humane and resilient societies.

Building on a Thirty Year Journey

This powerful collaboration stands on the shoulders of an international journey that began over thirty years ago. The 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen was, at the time, the largest gathering of world leaders ever held. Delegates from 186 countries, including 117 Heads of State or Government, committed themselves to reducing poverty, achieving full employment and strengthening social integration. These commitments provided a landmark blueprint for global social progress.

The Doha Summit also built on the momentum of subsequent milestones: the adoption of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, the renewed commitments of the 2023 SDG Summit, the forward-looking Pact for the Future adopted during the 2024 Summit of the Future and the reflections sparked by the eightieth anniversary of the United Nations in 2025.

Against this backdrop, the adoption of the Doha Declaration on Social Development represents a renewed global commitment to social justice, solidarity and wellbeing for all.

Innovation from Civil Society

This Summit highlighted the creativity, resilience and innovation that continue to emerge from the civil society sector. Social work educators, practitioners, social development professionals, and community leaders demonstrated how collaborative action can inform integrated and equitable social policies. Together, the four partner organisations reaffirmed that co-building inclusive and just societies require deeper cooperation, shared learning and sustained collective effort.

Leila Patel, ICSD President, Pascal Rudin, IFSW Secretary General (representing IFSW on behalf of President Joachim Mumba), Antoinette Lombard, IASSW President, and Sergei Szelenev, ICSW President.

Statements from the Presidents

Antoinette Lombard, President of IASSW
Our successful partnership-panel discussions at this Summit demonstrate the power of shared purpose and collaboration. When educators, researchers, and practitioners come together, we strengthen the global capacity of social work and social development to shape just and inclusive societies. This partnership marks a milestone in reaffirming our collective commitment to advancing transformational social development.

Leila Patel, President of ICSD
The Summit reminded us that social development thrives when knowledge, innovation, evidence-based solutions, practice and community experience move hand in hand. Our collaborative efforts show that when civil society actors work with vision, unity and determination much can be achieved to advance social development worldwide.

Sergei Zelenev, President of ICSW:
Social development practitioners often work across multiple sectors—health, education, employment, housing, and justice—and are acutely aware of the fragmentation that hampers effective service delivery. Well-designed, integrated social policies that promote greater policy coherence are essential to achieving cross-sector alignment and advancing the well-being of every community.This Summit reaffirmed that civil society is an indispensable partner in pursuing a more holistic approach to development. It brings both insight and energy to drive long-term transformation—especially when we act collectively.

Joachim Mumba, President of IFSW
This collaboration is a clear sign of our shared commitment to co-building hope and harmony. Social workers, educators and development leaders are united in shaping a world where every community can thrive. Our joint engagement in Doha is only the beginning of what we can achieve together.

The Second World Summit for Social Development has strengthened the collective global voice of social work, social development, and social welfare. It marks a renewed commitment to co building a fairer, greener, and more inclusive world for all.

  4–6 November 2025 | Doha, Qatar

The International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD) was proud to play an active and visible role at the Second World Summit for Social Development, held in Doha from 4 to 6 November 2025. A delegation of 15 representatives joined global leaders, policymakers, academics, and practitioners to advance the agenda of social justice, inclusion, and sustainable development.

A strong voice for social development

ICSD’s participation spanned multiple sessions, exhibitions, and collaborations across the three days of the Summit, reaffirming its leadership in shaping people-centred, evidence-based solutions to global challenges.

Together with its long-standing partners — the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW), and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) — ICSD contributed to discussions that strengthened the link between research, policy, and practice in building inclusive societies.

Highlights of ICSD’s engagement

Joint Intervention at Round Table 2

On 5 November, Prof. Antoinette Lombard delivered a joint statement from the floor on behalf of ICSD, IASSW, ICSW, and IFSW. The statement affirmed the collective commitment to the Copenhagen Declaration, the 2030 Agenda, and the Doha Declaration, calling for renewed investment in human capital, integrated policies, and stronger social care systems to promote equality and inclusion. Read the joint statement here. 

ICSD Exhibition: “Understanding Social Development – From Awareness to Action”

The ICSD’s interactive exhibition invited participants to engage with the values and principles underpinning social development. Through immersive activities — including the Social Development Values Wall and Map Your Impact — delegates explored how equity, dignity, and capacity-building can transform awareness into action across communities and sectors.

Partnership Side Events

ICSD co-organised and participated in several high-level sessions that showcased global collaboration and practical innovation:

Strengthening Social Integration through Intergenerational Solidarity (4 November) – highlighting intergenerational connections as a foundation for inclusive societies.

Integrated Social Policy as a Core Driver of Sustainable Development (5 November) – featuring a joint presentation by Prof. Leila Patel and Prof. Lauren Graham on policy coherence and equity.

Universal Social Protection as a Pillar of a Just Society (5 November) – with Mahesh Chougule representing ICSD and discussing rights-based approaches to protection and inclusion.

Linking Social Protection with Labour Market Programs, Employment and Services (6 November) – co-hosted with South Africa’s Department of Social Development (DSD) and UNRISD, exploring integrated pathways to poverty eradication.

Collaborative Dialogue and Research Leadership

ICSD also partnered in the high-level event Accelerating Social Development — From Copenhagen to Beyond the Doha Declaration, alongside UNRISD, UNESCAP, and the Centre for Social Development at Washington University. The session highlighted evidence-based, cross-sector strategies for inclusive growth and just transitions.

Driving collaboration and global impact

Throughout the Summit, ICSD delegates contributed to policy dialogue, research exchange, and collaborative solutions — reinforcing the Consortium’s commitment to advancing social justice, equality, and sustainable human development.

The organization’s active engagement across sessions and its visible presence at the Summit underscored its role as a leading global voice linking knowledge to action in the pursuit of inclusive social progress.

Can South Africa’s social grants help people make a better life? Research offers hope