Golam Mathbor, Ph.D., interim dean of the School of Social Work, recently delivered a keynote speech at the International Conference for Social Work Students hosted by the University of Texas at Arlington.
The virtual conference focused on the theme, “Social Work: Navigating Compassion and Commitment in a Changing World,” and explored the core values and challenges within the profession.
In his speech, Mathbor discussed how social workers must adapt to an evolving landscape and outlined seven key considerations for navigating compassion and commitment in the field, including compassion in practice; commitment to social justice; adaption to a changing world; importance of commitment; navigating ethical dilemmas; strengthening communities; and education and training.
The conference also showcased the contributions of social work students, highlighting their role in addressing global challenges through research and practice. It also featured discussions on fostering peer engagement and cross-cultural learning, advocating for equity and inclusion in global social work, and engaging insights from diverse international contexts to deepen understanding of the profession’s role in navigating uncertainty.