Published on : November 12, 2021
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) recently concluded its 67th Annual Program Meeting (APM), November 4–7, in Orlando, FL, where 1,460 attendees from across the country convened for networking, learning, and collaboration centered on “Leading Critical Conversations: Racial, Economic, & Environmental Justice.”“When I think about where we are today, I cannot help but to be filled with admiration for the thousands of faculty members, administrators, and students in social work education. Despite all of the challenges we’ve faced in the past 2 years, we were able to come together to share our research, scholarship, and fellowship at APM,” said CSWE President and CEO Darla Spence Coffey, PhD, MSW. “This year’s educational content exceeded our expectations, and we are grateful for the support of our members, attendees, and sponsors.”
More than 600 education sessions took place over the 4-day event, touching on a range of topics including social justice, addictions, disability issues, and social welfare policy and policy practice. The exhibit hall featured 59 higher education institutions, publishers, and organizations displaying innovative products and programs, as well as dozens of digital poster sessions.
A portion of the in-person programming plus new live networking events will be available through APM On-Demand, December 6–10, 2021. The program will feature recordings of the plenary sessions, highlighted sessions from each of the 40 APM tracks, and four virtual networking events to help participants connect with colleagues. A majority of the recorded sessions will be available to users for 12 months. In-person attendees receive complimentary access to APM On-Demand.
The 68th APM will be held in Anaheim, CA, November 10–13, 2022.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
CSWE thanks the following Premier and Platinum Sponsors for their generous support of the 2021 APM.
- Boston College
- Case Western Reserve University
- Columbia University
- Fordham University
- LEAP
- The Joint Programs in Social Work at North Carolina A&T State University and the University of North Carolina Greensboro
- Rutgers University
- Sacred Heart University
- The University of Utah
- University of Washington
Thank You to Plenary Session Speakers
Loretta Ross
On Thursday evening Loretta Ross joined attendees to deliver the Opening Plenary Session. Ross conveyed that publicly shaming individuals does little to allow our society to progress and encouraged attendees to call people in instead of calling them out.
“People act because of who they are, not because of who you are," and that is true of people you know and people you don't know, Ross explained.
Reputation is what other people think of you and integrity is what you think about yourself, she said.
Darlyne Bailey, PhD
Dr. Bailey took the stage on Friday morning for the Carl A. Scott Memorial Lecture to discuss the transformative powers of hope and possibility in our country’s numerous manifestations of inequalities and disparities.
“What we need are more opportunities for little moments of happiness,” said Dr. Bailey, even if they are texting your friends with tons of emojis or cuddling up with pets. “It is important that we’re getting to enjoy the small stuff as much as we can…that’s what matters when it comes to our happiness.”
Debra Furr-Holden, PhD
During her Friday afternoon session, Dr. Furr-Holden explored environmental racism and how systemic racism creates and amplifies crises. “Where you live shouldn’t determine the quality of life and opportunities that you have. All children are born with unlimited potential, but we squash and squander that.”
However, you cannot sprinkle a program on top of a problem and call it a solution, she said. Dr. Furr-Holden talked about a time she baked a cake with her daughter but they left out the sugar. “‘Mom, let’s just sprinkle some sugar on top!’ That is endearing if it comes from a 6-year-old child, it is offensive if it comes from a legislator,” she said.
Abye Tasse, PhD
On Saturday morning Dr. Tasse delivered the Hokenstad International Lecture. He highlighted inequalities in the social work profession and presented an approach to overcome the challenges through sustained action at multiple levels including the public and private sectors, community leaders, and key actors in the national and international arenas. He also highlighted examples of transformative experiences underway to empower individuals and communities in the Republic of Congo.
About the Council on Social Work Education
Founded in 1952, the Council on Social Work Education is the national association representing social work education in the United States. Its members include more than 800 accredited baccalaureate and master’s degree social work programs, as well as individual social work educators, practitioners, and agencies dedicated to advancing quality social work education.