Free event - booking is essential. 

The IASW is committed to challenge and eradicate racism from social work practice. Therefore, the Anti-Racism Advisory Group of the IASW is launching the IASW Anti Racism Strategy 2024-27. Building on the work of the IASW Anti-Racism Strategy 2021-2023, this second strategy will provide us with the pathways to confront racism in the social work profession. The Anti-Racism Strategy was formed after several reflective practice sessions undertaken with the Black and Minority Ethnic social workers with lived experiences of racism who worked with White colleagues and allies to develop the Strategy. The launch of this strategy is not only timely but vital in promoting anti-racism across all allied care professions, including social work.

Confirmed speakers include Cllr. Uruemu Adejinmi, Dr Prospera Tedam, Anastasia Crickley, Hilda Loughran and Vivian Geiran. 

Event Programme 

10.00 am           Registration, Tea and Coffee
10.30am            Welcome, Introduction by Marta Correia
10.40 am           Dr Prospera Tedam, Presentation and Q&A (5 minutes)
11.20 am           Cllr. Uruemu Adejinmi, Presentation and Q&A (5 minutes)

Break - 15 minutes (12 pm to 12.15 pm)

12.15 pm           Anastasia Crickley, Presentation and Q&A (5 minutes)
12.50 pm           Hilda Loughran and Nisarg Nagwadia
1.10 pm             Vivian Geiran, Launch of IASW Anti-Racism Strategy 2024-2027
1.30 pm             Closing of the Event - Marta Correia

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

Cllr. Uruemu Adejinmi is a Fianna Fáil Councillor and member of Longford County Council. In June 2021 Cllr. Adejinmi was elected Mayor of Longford marking a series of firsts for the County, as she was the first migrant, first African and first black female to become Mayor.

With a background in finance, business, and project management, her political journey started in 2016 after she supported a local candidate during the general election. Cllr. Adejinmi is a member of Fianna Fáil Party's National Executive Committee in charge of the organisation, a Peace Commissioner and a Certified Mediator.

Cllr. Adejinmi promotes inclusive practices and advocates for positive and cohesive integration of migrants in Communities and is passionate about creating equal opportunity for all in society through ethical political leadership and inspiring others to grow and excel in their chosen field of endeavour.

X https://twitter.com/Raemmu

Anastasia Crickley was head of Dept Applied Social Studies at Maynooth University where she led development of inclusive academic studies professional programmes as well as playing an active national leadership role in efforts to ensure Inclusion of marginalised and minority communities in HE until her retirement in 2015. She is a founder of the European and Irish Networks against Racism, past member and chair of the UN Committee against Racism, first chair of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency and currently chair of Minority Rights Group International.

Anastasia's work against racism began with the Irish community in the UK in the 1970s and has continued since in particular but not only with Travellers and Roma both in Ireland and elsewhere and as chair of Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre. She was a member of the Committee tasked with development of the National Action Plan v Racism published in 2023.

A life long community worker in Ireland where she leads  Community Work Ireland's  Policy and Practice Ctee and the All Ireland Endorsement Body for Community Work Education and Training (AIEB) Anastasia has just stepped down from the International Board of IACD where she was also vice- president.

Hilda Loughran is an Associate Professor Emeritus at UCD. Hilda taught on the Masters in Social Work and was at one point the programme director. She is a long standing member of IASW and has sereved on the Board. She is currently a member of the Anti Racism SIG and was involved in working on the First and Second Anti Racism  Strategic Plans. Hilda is also a member of the CPD Committee.  

Dr Prospera Tedam has recently joined University College Dublin as Professor of Social Work. She spent the last 5 and a half years teaching social work in the United Arab Emirates where she was also the Head of Department. Prospera has 27 years post qualifying experience with the last 17 years in social work education and is registered with Social Work England.
Her research interests are around anti-oppression, equality, diversity and inclusion as well as culturally sensitive social work practice. In her keynote presentation she will share her thoughts of about how social work education and ongoing CPD can prepare students and practitioners for anti-racist practice

The topic of the presentation - Continuing the anti-racism journey in social work education and continuous professional development.

X https://twitter.com/ProsperaTedam

The Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) launches its second Anti-Racism Strategy – "Continuing the Journey: The next phase of anti-racism initiatives in Irish social work (2024-27)". 

As social workers, we are always stronger together for social change. Let's put our energy and efforts into eliminating racism from its core. This new Strategic Plan challenges all of us to do more and to do better in dismantling racism in 21st-century social work.