Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

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KU to Host Seventh Annual Social Work in the Global Environment Conference Nov. 2

Kutztown, PA (10/22/2018) — Kutztown University will host the seventh annual Social Work in the Global Environment Conference on Friday, Nov. 2, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the McFarland Student Union Building, Room 218. This year's conference is titled, "The Crossroads of Contemporary Slavery and Injustice: Cultivating Public Discourse and Action."

The conference is open to any students, staff, faculty and community members who are interested in the subject of modern-day slavery and those interested in or currently involved in the advocacy for survivors of modern-day slavery.

Students majoring in social work, women's and gender studies, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, anthropology, education, communication studies and professional studies are encouraged to attend.

The event is free to attend. Please register here.

The Conference on Social Work in the Global Environment aims to contribute to the local-global perspective in social work, utilizing the strategy: thinking globally and acting locally. This year's conference will focus on the complex matrix of societal, political, and economic inequality and exploitation.

"Contemporary slavery and injustice aren't just global issues; they're issues that occur in our own backyards," Dr. Barth Yeboah, conference chair and professor of social work, said. "Contemporary slavery comes in many different forms, such as prostitution, child trafficking and sex trafficking, which is why action must be taken against it, among other social issues."

Other presentation topics include labor and sexual exploitation, forced and bonded labor, domestic servitude, human trafficking, socio-economic justice and human rights, immigrant children and their families, governmental and non-governmental responses to enhance or restore human well-being, and the vulnerability of the oppressed populations, among others.

The goal of the conference is to inform the attendees about ongoing social issues, giving them knowledge that will hopefully translate into action.

A variety of speakers will be attending the conference, including:

  • Dr. Victor Essien, rector of Nyansapo College in East Legon and former adjunct professor of law at Fordam University;
  • Melissa Upreti, senior director of Program and Global Advocacy at the Center for Women's Global Leadership at Rutgers University;
  • Dr. Demelash Kassaye, assistant professor for Social Work and Social Development at Addis Ababa University;
  • Dr. Ashraf Adeel, professor of philosophy at Kutztown University;
  • Mark Rozzi, state representative of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives;
  • Karen L. Hinkle, supervisor of Legal Advocacy and Victim Services for the Crime Victims Counsel of Lehigh Valley;
  • Kim Checkeye, vice chairman and executive director of Truth for Women; and
  • Christi Dominguez, executive director of the Valley Against Sex Trafficking (VAST).

Complete Bios on Conference Speakers

For more information, please contact the social work department at asnyder@kutztown.edu or by phone at 610-683-4235.

Media Attachments

Promotional Flyer

Presenter Bios

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