CALL FOR PAPERS

Two Days

1^st National Virtual Conference on

Social Work and Social Welfare in Pakistan:

Bridging the Knowledge Gap between Academic and Field Practitioners

Organized by the Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar

03-04 March, 2021 through Google Meet (10:00 am to 4:00 pm)

INTRODUCTION

It was the in the backdrop of independence in 1947 that the Social Work as a field of practice and as an academic discipline was started in Pakistan. As an academic discipline, it is offered as a degree program in almost all the major universities across Pakistan. As a field of practice, its scope ranges from probation, social welfare, public health, community development, hospitals, to woman and child protection and protection of the rights of all the marginalized segments of the society. However, very little is known to the general public about the professional practices in Social Work. For general public, Social Work is a charity oriented activity. For academics, however, Social Work is a professional activity of helping people to overcome serious difficulties in their lives. This is done through scientific methods of social casework, social group work, community organization, social welfare administration, social action, and social work research.

For a subject that has existed for almost sixty (60) years in Pakistan, it is very unfortunate that it has yet to gain its due status. One reason for this limited understanding is a gap between social work academic knowledge and field practices. This conference aims to bring together people from academics, practitioners in the field (public and private sector), and the relevant government bodies to bridge the knowledge gap between academic and field knowledge.

CONFERENCE THEME

Recognition of Social Work as an Academic Discipline and Profession in Pakistan

SUB-THEMES:

• Social Work Primary Methods
  • Social Casework Knowledge and Field Practices
  • Social Group Work Knowledge and Field Practices
  • Community Organization Knowledge and Field Practices
• Social Work Secondary Methods
  • Social Administration Knowledge and Field Practices
  • Social Action Knowledge and Field Practices
  • Social Research Knowledge and Field Practices
• Social Welfare
  • Child Protection and Welfare
  • Women Protection and Welfare
  • Elderly Protection and Welfare
  • Youth Welfare and Development
  • Community Development
  • Public Health and Community Engagement
  • Forestry and Community Engagement
  • Rural Development
  • Penal Welfarism (Probation, Parole, Juvenile Justice, Prison Services)
• Major Theoretical Debates and Social Work
  • Neoliberalism and Social Work
  • Critical Theory and Social Work
  • Other theories
• General
  • History of Social Work and Social Welfare in Pakistan
  • Localization of Social Work Curriculum
  • Linkages with Non Profitable Organization
• Contemporary Social Work Education and practice in Pakistan: Challenges and prospects
  • Revival of Field Work
  • Theoretical Challenges for Social Work Academics
• Issues of Social Work Professional Recognition
  • Social Work and Sociology
  • Accreditation of the Profession of Social Work
  • National Academic Association of Social Work
  • Journal of Social Work and Social Welfare in Pakistan
  • Philanthropy Vs. Social Work
• Major Historical and Contemporary Figures in Social Work in Pakistan
  • Historical Personalities
  • Contemporary Personalities

Conference Chair:

Dr. Shakeel Ahmed, Chairman

Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar

Director, Community Services Program

University of Peshawar

Conference Coordinator:

Dr. Imran Ahmad Sajid

Guest Speaker

Professor Dr. Muhammad Jahanzab Khan

Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Peshawar

Secretary Social Welfare: Mr. Manzoor Ahmad

Important Dates:

Contact:

Dr. Imran Ahmad Sajid

Conference Coordinator:

Department of Social work, University of Peshawar

imranahmad131@uop.edu.pk

03139600663

091-9221170