Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 13: School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, will organise ‘Spandana - 2018’, an international level student social workers’ conference on the theme ‘From Diversity towards Inclusion: A Social Work Paradigm’ February 15 and 16.
‘Spandana’ is a platform for the convergence of student social workers to share thoughts, ideas and knowledge and to work together for serving society in a better way. The need for a platform for interaction among students was actuated during the year 2002 and the result is ‘Spandana’- Responding to Realities, an annual conference for student social workers. The success of the event has motivated the college and ‘Spandana’ has become the most awaited annual feature.
‘Spandana 2018’ is a platform to discuss various concepts of inclusion in the field of Health and Mental Health, Human Resources and Community Sustainability.
Prof B S Nagendra Prakash, registrar of Mangalore University will be the chief guest for the inaugural function of ‘Spandana 2018’ on February 15, at 10:00 am. Dr Sophia N Fernandes, principal, School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, will preside over the inaugural function. The inaugural function will be followed by the key note, addressed by Dr Joseph Wronka, representative to the United Nations in Geneva for the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) and professor of Social Work, Springfield College, USA on the topic ‘Human Rights, Social Justice, Diversity and Inclusion: Implications for the Advanced Generalist Practice Paradigm’.
The following internationally renowned speakers are lined up to discuss and deliberate on diversity and inclusion in relation to Mental Health, Disability, and Workplace and Community sustainability in the two days.
• Dr Manoj Kumar, clinical director, MHAT Ashoka Fellow, Kerala – “Inclusion in the field of Mental Healthcare - Creating communities that look after their own”.
• Zeeshan Ramlan, head - Diversity and Inclusion, Engagement and CSR at Intuit India, Bengaluru – “Celebrating Differences through Diversity”.
• Dr. T M N Deepak, assistant professor, department of Social Work, Loyola College, Chennai – “Make the Right Real..! Inclusion as right… the way forward”.
• Linda Benoit, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC), USA – “Best Practices in treating substance use disorders: Observations from the field”.
• Ronald Mascarenhas, senior general manager - HR and Admin, Recipharm, Bengaluru – “Becoming a successful HR professional in Challenging times”.
• Dr Antoon Cox, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), University College Leuven-Limburg (UCLL), Belgium – “The Dynamics of (mis)communication of linguistically diverse consultations in the Emergency Department”.
• Vani Alva, commissioner of Ullal, Mangaluru – “Community Sustainability and Social Inclusion”.
Students/Academicians and professionals from different states and international universities will also participate in the conference.
Cultural programmes will be held on February 15 at 6.00 pm at amphitheatre which depicts the culture of Tulunadu and the theme “From Diversity towards Inclusion”.
The Valedictory of the meet will be held on February 16 at 3:30 pm. Linda Benoit, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC), USA will be the chief guest. Mamtaz, district child protection officer, secretary, Roshni Alumni Association, Kodagu chapter will be the guest of honour and Dr Jenis Mary, vice-principal, School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, will preside over the valedictory session.
Scientific paper presentations are also scheduled for the participants on the following themes:
• Culturally inclusive environment
• Diversity and inclusion at workplace
• Diversity and inclusion in health and safety
• Inclusive environment at educational setting
• Social inclusion in mental health
• Prisons and correctional institutions as places of inclusion
• Migration and inclusive communities
• Disability and social inclusion