ASASWEI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

As part of the 2025 ASASWEI International Conference, hosted at the University of the Free State, the documentary film Blue Burning was screened under the conference’s core theme—Advancing Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice, Peacebuilding, and Sustainable Development through teaching, research and practice. Blue Burning invited “social workers to engage with green social work's focus on ecological sustainability and radical social work's emphasis on transformative resistance against systemic harm, offering a compelling call to action for the ocean commons and climate justice.”

CONFERENCE SYNOPSIS
In a world facing increasing social inequalities, environmental crises, and geopolitical conflicts, the role of social work and related disciplines has never been more vital. As communities grapple with challenges such as climate change, forced displacement, poverty, and human rights violations, social workers, educators, and researchers must actively engage in solutions that promote justice, peace, and sustainability. This international conference provides a platform for critical reflection, knowledge-sharing, and action-oriented discussions on how social work education, research, and practice can drive transformative change in addressing these global issues.

This conference theme recognizes the interconnectedness of social and environmental justice, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. It highlights the importance of integrating green social work perspectives, conflict resolution strategies, and development frameworks into social work education, policy, and field interventions. As the world strives to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), social work must evolve to respond effectively to these global challenges.