Symposium Planning

The Symposium Planning Committee provides support, advice, and oversight to designated symposia organizing groups throughout their symposium planning process. The Committee also helps to recruit and develop future symposia sites. The chair of the Symposium Planning Committee is Dana Grossman Leeman. You can contact her at dana.leeman@gmail.com.

Annual International Symposia

Since 1979, the International Association of Social Work with Groups has met for an annual symposium. These symposia have provided opportunities for the membership of IASWG to meet others interested in and committed to the use of groups in social work, to hear and consider new approaches to social work with groups, to socialize, to help shape the present and the future of social group work in social work and in social work education, and to participate in decision making that directs the business of the Association.

Annual symposia have been held across the United States, in Canada, and in Germany. Attendance may vary but enthusiasm does not wane. Those who have attended a symposium are likely to say that IASWG symposia have a special feel about them, testament to the belief that group workers know how to have fun!

If you are interested in learning how to host an upcoming IASWG symposium, visit our “deconstructed” Guidebook to learn about the major components of producing an IASWG Symposium.

Included here is information about our current, upcoming, and previous symposia. Following each symposium, proceedings are produced that reflect the kinds of ideas and issues current in the field at that time. Past proceedings can be found in the Resources section of this website, or check out our proceedings publisher.

Quick Links

Announcements

Learn more about the 2018 IASWG Symposium Bags - contributing to both social and economic development in the local communities.

Loyola University Chicago's School of Social Work has officially approved a sub-specialization (minor) in Group Work in the MSW program. Students will be accepted beginning Fall 2018. To our knowledge, this will be the first new opportunity in many years for MSW students to formally gain this expertise and have it recognized on their transcript. It is also the only known offering within an MSW program outside of the East Coast. For more information, contact Shirley Simon, IASWG Board Member.

South Africa Symposium Housing Deadline

Call for Photos - Build the Social Justice Bridge: A Photovoice Project for International Social Work Education

MA Chapter's Annual Conference is Friday, April 6th

It is with much sadness, we announce the passing of long-time, IASWG member George Getzel

Call for Papers - Social Work with Groups: Special Issue (Deadline: 1 June 2018; Topic: Social Group Work in Mindfulness-Based Interventions)

The Time for Group Work

The climate is changing. In many parts of the world, respect for people who are different from ourselves has diminished and communities feel fractured. Dialogue is too often replaced by bombings and vitriol; hate-filled populism blasts reasoned, respectful understanding.

It is not difficult to see why many people feel alienated; they themselves are disrespected and disempowered by increasing inequality, job insecurity and a sense that the important decisions are no longer within their influence.

We need to find ways to become inclusive, to celebrate our differences and to generate a powerful sense of togetherness. There has never been a more urgent time to bring communities together towards a mutual understanding and a respect, not just for humanity, but for the planet as a whole.

Social groupwork can create security where there is uncertainty, a feeling of belonging where there is alienation, and a vehicle for positive communal action where there is a sense of helplessness. It has been used to unite and give voice to people in the aftermath of conditions that seemed beyond repair. Through social groupwork, nations, communities and individuals can repair. This is the hopeful message that IASWG and its members offer to the world.

IASWG stands against oppression and disenfranchisement. As social groupworkers, we stand for and advocate for creating spaces for respectful dialogue to expand our worldviews and perspectives in community with each other.

Contact us. Let us know how you are using group work to repair the world. Ask us how we can help you in this process.

It’s time for group work.