Golden Jubilee of
Social Work Education (1976–2026)
Theme: Social Work for Sustainable Rural Transformation: Integrating Communities, Values and Innovation
Celebrating 50 Years • Special Events 2026
Explore our major Golden Jubilee highlights marking five decades of academic distinction, community leadership, and professional social work transformation.
International Conference
Academic Gathering
An international academic gathering bringing together social work educators, researchers, practitioners, students, policymakers and development professionals.
Alumni Summit
“50 Years of Change Makers”
Celebrating and recognizing distinguished alumni worldwide who have contributed to social work, rural development, and community transformation.
Convocation 2026
Celebrating Graduates
A special convocation ceremony celebrating the successful completion of the 2026 MSW batch and honouring their professional journey.
50 Years of Postgraduate Education in Social Work with Rural Development
The CSRD Institute of Social Work & Research (CSRD-ISWR), Ahilyanagar (Affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University), is one of the pioneering social work institutes in India. Established with a vision of integrating education with community development, CSRD has remained at the forefront of rural development, participatory learning, action research, and grassroots practice. For fifty years, the Institute has prepared thousands of professionals serving communities across India and abroad in government, civil society, CSR, academia, international organizations, and grassroots initiatives.
To commemorate five decades of pioneering professional social work education the institute is organizing international conference on the Theme: “Social Work for Sustainable Rural Transformation: Integrating Communities, Values and Innovation”.
50+
Years of Legacy
500-700
Expected Delegates
Sustainable Rural Transformation
India is witnessing unprecedented changes. While notable progress has been made, rural areas face complex challenges including agrarian distress, climate change, poverty, digital divides, migration, water insecurity, and weakening community institutions.
Simultaneously, India possesses immense strengths through Panchayati Raj, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), cooperatives, indigenous knowledge, spiritual traditions, and youth leadership. Social Work today moves beyond welfare toward community resilience, social innovation, and ethical leadership by integrating:
What We Aim to Achieve
Celebrate 50 Years
Celebrate 50 years of Social Work Education at CSRD.
Rural Landscape
Reflect on India's changing rural development landscape.
New Paradigms
Develop new paradigms of sustainable rural transformation.
Values & Ethics
Integrate Indian values, spirituality and ethics into contemporary social work education.
Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue
Promote interdisciplinary dialogue among Social workers, Rural development practitioners, Policymakers, Researchers, CSR professionals, NGOs, Faith-based organizations, and Community leaders.
Showcase Models
Showcase innovative community models and field action projects.
Strengthen Collaborations
Strengthen collaborations between academia, government, CSR and civil society.
CSRD Declaration
Develop a CSRD Declaration on Sustainable Rural Transformation.
Plenary Themes & Conference Tracks
4 Plenary Themes
- Plenary I
Social Work Education: Rural Transformation – Reimagining Practice
- Plenary II
Spirituality, Ethics and Human Values in Social Work
- Plenary III
Innovation, Technology and Rural Development
- Plenary IV
Community Leadership for Sustainable Development
14 Conference Tracks
Event Highlights
Publications and Souvenir
Showcasing scholarly publications, conference contributions, and a special souvenir commemorating the conference and its milestones.
Distinguished Alumni Achievers Awards
Recognising distinguished alumni for their outstanding achievements and contributions to social work, education, research, and society.
Initiation of Innovative Field Project
Launching an innovative field-based project aimed at strengthening social work practice and creating meaningful community-level impact.
Golden Jubilee Distinguished Lecture
Delivered by an internationally renowned scholar.
Rural Development Conclave
Invite:
- Shri Popatrao Pawar
- NABARD
- Successful Farmers
- Rural Entrepreneurs
Alumni Summit
"50 Years of Change Makers"
Recognition of distinguished alumni.
Young Researchers Forum
For PhD Scholars and MSW Students
Best Paper Awards
Community Innovations Expo
Display by:
- NGOs
- SHGs
- Farmer Producer Organisations
- CSR Projects
- Rural Technologies
Book Exhibition
Social Work Rural Development Publications
Documentary Screening
50 Years of Social Work Education at CSRD
Cultural Evening
Celebrating Rural India:
9. Expected Outcomes
The conference proposes to release:
A roadmap for Sustainable Rural Transformation through Professional Social Work
International Conference Proceedings • ISBN Publication
Submitted to:
- Government of India
- Government of Maharashtra
- NABARD
- CSR Foundations
Creation of CSRD Global Network for Rural Transformation
Centre for Sustainable Rural Transformation
Beyond the conference, CSRD-ISWR establishes a dedicated hub for interdisciplinary research, policy engagement, capacity building, and international collaboration.
Join the Golden Jubilee Conference
Registration closes on 25th October 2026. Secure your delegate spot today.
Register Now
