The (ICSD) is an organisation consisting of practitioners, scholars, and students who aim to bring about social improvement in the lives of people and their communities.
It was started in the 1970鈥檚 by a group of social work educators to respond to pressing human concerns from an international, interdisciplinary perspective. The organisation seeks to develop conceptual frameworks and effective intervention strategies geared to influencing local, national and international systems. It is committed to creating peaceful solutions to the problems of survival at the local, national and global levels. ICSD members use a social development approach to:
- Develop capacity of individuals and communities
- Promote world peace and social justice
- Improve access to adequate health care and education
- Overcome discrimination against women and minorities
- Create sustainable income and economic structures
The ICSD has three international branches, the most recent addition being the , which was launched at the held in South Africa, July 2021.
As of June 2025, Prof Leila Patel is the President of the ICSD, you can read her statement Taking the baton from Manohar Pawar, outgoing President of the ICSD . She will be supported by Prof Lauren Graham (Interim DSTI NRF South African Research Chair in Welfare and Social Development, CSDA, 欧美福利100000 of Johannesburg) who is the ICSD Vice President Special Projects.
The government of South Africa, in partnership with the ICSD, has submitted two applications for a side event on solutions at the SWSSD. The applications are under review. If successful, two side events under the call for evidence-based actionable solutions will be hosted by South Africa in collaboration with its partners.
Read more about the proposed events .