Welcome to Nairobi! Karibu Nairobi!
Welcome to SWSD 2026
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
It is with great joy and heartfelt anticipation that I welcome you to the 2026 Joint Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development (SWSD), to be held in the vibrant and beautiful city of Nairobi, Kenya.
As Chair of the Local Organising Committee, I am deeply honoured to extend this invitation to join us under the resonant theme “Harambee for Sustainable Shared Futures.” Harambee, a Swahili term meaning “all pull together”, is more than a word. It is a philosophy and a lived practice in Kenya and across the region. It reflects the very spirit of solidarity, community-building and collective responsibility that lies at the heart of social work and social development.
This conference will bring together social workers, educators, researchers, policymakers and community advocates from every corner of the globe to engage in rich dialogue, critical reflection and shared learning. Nairobi, a city known for its warmth, diversity and dynamism, provides the perfect setting for these global conversations as we reimagine futures grounded in equity, inclusion and sustainability.
Our Local Organising Committee is committed to ensuring your experience in Kenya is not only professionally enriching but also personally memorable. From engaging keynote addresses and insightful panel discussions to vibrant cultural exchanges and community visits, we look forward to creating a truly African welcome, one that celebrates the beauty of connection and the power of collective action.
Karibuni sana, welcome to Nairobi. Let us join hands in Harambee as we shape a better tomorrow for all.
With warmest regards
Dear fellow international community, colleagues, and friends,
It is with great pleasure and sincere gratitude that I warmly welcome you to the SWSD 2026 Joint World Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
As World Conference Coordinator, I am deeply honored to invite you to join us under this year’s theme, Harambee: For Sustainable Shared Futures. Grounded in the powerful principle of collective action, this theme underscores the essential role of social work and social development in advancing international human rights, promoting social justice, and fostering inclusive, equitable societies. At a time of complex global challenges, Harambee calls us to come together across borders and disciplines to co-create sustainable solutions that leave no one behind.
Our conference offers a vital space for dialogue, learning, and collaboration among practitioners, educators, scholars, policymakers, and advocates from around the world. An international gathering such as SWSD is more important than ever—we will share perspectives, strengthen global solidarity, and inspire innovative approaches that bridge local realities with global commitments to human dignity and rights. Above all, this conference is a celebration of our collective dedication to building a more just and sustainable future for all.
Nairobi, a vibrant, diverse, and dynamic global city, provides a fitting setting for these meaningful exchanges. I eagerly anticipate your participation and the contributions you will bring to this global community. I look forward to meeting you there.
Charles Mbugua
Chair, Local Organising Committee
SWSD 2026 Nairobi
David Androff
Global Coordinator
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS & REGISTRATION OPENS
25 JUNE 2025
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION CLOSED
CLOSED
ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES
30 MAY 2026
CONFERENCE STARTS
26 JUNE 2026
International Steering Committee
David Androff
World Conference Coordinator | Chair
Sergei Zelenev
ICSW President
Antoinette Lombard
IASSW President
Janestic Twikirize
IASSW Executive
Antonio López Peláez
ICSW Executive Director
Joachim Mumba
IFSW President
Pascal Rudin
IFSW Interim Secretary General
Local Organising Committee
Charles Mbugua
Chair | Host Representative
Evans Nyakundi
KNASW Secretary-General
Davis Nyakundi
LOC
Gidraph Wairire
LOC
Register for SWSD 2026
Joint Associations
