Transforming Society ICSD 2015 Plenary Speakers

Dr David Jones is the past president of International Federation of Social Workers and key board member of Commonwealth Organization for Social Work. He is an advocate for the The Global Agenda – how it can transform society and what needs to get done? The Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development is part of a long-term strategy designed explicitly to strengthen the profile and visibility of social work and social development, to boost the confidence of social workers, and to enable social workers, educators and social development specialists to make a stronger contribution to policy development. The presentation focuses on the process, the findings of the first global report on social work and social development and explore the vision for the Global Observatory and the 2016 world conference.

Ms Ang Bee Lian, is Director of Social Welfare, Ministry of Family and Social Development, Singapore. She highlights social development through the lens of a city-state Singapore. Social development in Singapore is a tripartite relationship between people, private and public sectors. For it to continue to work, the various sectors refresh their role in the eco-system with more participation, involvement and perspectives.

Professor Leila Patel, Professor at University of Johannesburg

Prof Leila Patel is the Chairperson and a Professor of Social Development Studies in the Department of Social Work of the University of Johannesburg. She is also an Executive Director of Liberty Group Limited. She was previously head of the Department of Social Work in University of Johannesburg, director-general of the national Department of Social Welfare and deputy vice-chancellor and vice principal of the University of the witwatersrand, Johannesburg. She played a leading role in the development of South Africa's welfare policy after apartheid. Her research interests are social welfare, social work, social policy, gender, social protection and social development and will speak on social development in relation to Africa.

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