The international conference “Social Work in Action: Interdisciplinary and Global-Informed Strategies for Bridging and Advancing Sustainable Development in Central Asia” was successfully held on 4–5 May 2026 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Jointly organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU), in partnership with the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), the conference gathered scholars, practitioners, policymakers and stakeholders across the globe to address pressing social, economic and environmental challenges facing Central Asia.
During the opening ceremony, senior leaders from PolyU and KazNU delivered welcome remarks, and the President of IASSW delivered an opening address. Two significant signing ceremonies were conducted: an agreement between IASSW and PolyU to launch an e-learning platform for global social work education standards, and a Memorandum of Understanding between PolyU and KazNU to advance the glocalization of social work education and practice in Central Asia.
Over two days, the conference hosted five plenary sessions and thirteen parallel sessions, covering core themes including socio-economic transformation in Central Asia, capacity building under global standards, climate change and environmental sustainability, mental health and well-being, NGO development, social work education innovation, digital and AI applications, and sustainable inclusive communities. Discussions focused on regional contexts including geopolitical realignment, de-Russification and social structural transition, and highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary integration and cross-border cooperation. Participants emphasized translating measurable indicators into real-life improvements, with priorities on social stability, child welfare, hidden deprivation, and community resilience.
In the closing ceremony, representatives from IASSW, PolyU and KazNU highly recognized the conference’s achievements. The event strengthened international academic and practical cooperation, bridged global standards with local realities, and provided actionable strategies for social work professionalization, climate adaptation and sustainable development in Central Asia. The conference built a solid and sustainable platform for long-term collaboration among global partners.
