FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Howard's Social Work Team Leads Professional Conference in Grenada     

WASHINGTON (July 23, 2015) – The Howard University School of Social Work and the Multidisciplinary Gerontology Center participated in the 12th Biennial Conference of the  Association of Caribbean Social Work Educators (ACSWE), July 6-10, at St. George’s University Campus, True Blue, Grenada.

The ACSWE biennial conference provides an opportunity for social work educators, practitioners, students, researchers, policy makers, social planners and others from across the Caribbean and abroad to share the results of their research and academic pursuits, practice experiences and visions. The theme of the conference was "Supporting Sustainable Social Change & Social Justice: Scholarship, Policy and Emancipatory Human Services." More than 200 social work educators, practitioners and students attended.

Howard's dean of Social Work, several faculty members and the assistant director for the Multidisciplinary Center for Gerontology presented in the pre-conference workshops and plenary sessions as speakers and chair. 

"The ACSWE conference provided a unique forum for the exchange of innovative approaches and robust dialogue about critical challenges facing the profession of social work," said Dean Sandra Crewe. "Howard University School of Social Work was pleased to sponsor the conference because it affirmed our commitment to embrace globalization and international content in our curriculum. We look forward to continuing to support future ACSWE conferences and solidify scholarship and service partnerships."

The second workshop, titled "Implications for Policy: A Focus on Elderly Caregiving and Family Decision Making," was facilitated by Dean Crewe, Dr. Cudore L. Snell, Dr. Tamarah Moss and Laurie Blackman Thompson. The workshop discussions covered a wide variety of topics and explored common challenges across the Caribbean, North America and the African Diaspora. 

"The ACSWE conference was a stimulating venue for renewing partnerships and building new professional networks across the Caribbean countries," said Dr. Snell, the director of global initiatives. “The content from all the sessions strengthens our global vision and mission at Howard University School of Social Work and allowed for productive mutual exchanges. We hope to build on this conference to expand our international service learning program and support our colleagues."