By Prof. Sanjoy Roy, Member of ICSD. Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Head, Department of Social Work, University of Delhi, India
The Second World Summit for Social Development concluded in Doha, Qatar on 6 November 2025. It aims to ensure that measurable progress is made on poverty reduction, decent work, social protection and social inclusion by 2030 and beyond. Alongside the formal plenary and roundtable discussions, more than 250 “solution sessions” were held by nation states, academic institutions and civil society organisations. Practical ways of improving access to healthcare and education and supporting work and social protection were shared.
At the Summit, the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), the International Council for Social Welfare and The International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD) co-led key “Solutions Sessions” that advocated for universal social protection as a pillar of a just society and highlighted the importance of robust social protection strategies, integrated policy approaches, and mobilising resources for sustainable investment.
I was happy to be involved in drafting a joint statement by the four organisations in which we called for greater investment in the social work workforce and stronger coordination across social, economic, and environmental policies.
I believe our statement is a testament to the resilience of the civil society sector in informing equitable social policies and working collectively to drive long-term transformation. Our collaborative engagement in Doha has strengthened the collective global voice of social work, social development, and social welfare, marking a renewed commitment to co-building a fairer, greener, and more inclusive world.