• Skip to Content

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

  • Sign in to your Merit page
« Back to Recent News

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

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Bryan Salvadore, 610-683-4180, salvadore@kutztown.edu

Share this Story

  • Print
  • Email

Recent News

  • Sheperis Receives Distinguished Professional Service Award from American Counseling Association
  • Jazz Trumpeter and Educator Sean Jones to Perform at Schaeffer Auditorium April 15
  • Kutztown University Earns Reaffirmation of Accreditation from Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • Kutztown University Earns 2026-2027 Military Friendly Schools Designation
  • Kutztown University Awarded State Grant for Continued Support of It's On Us PA
  • From Rural Idaho to Broadway: Cheyenne Jackson to Share the Dream at KU April 1
  • Kutztown University Awarded State Grant to Help Prepare More Special Education Teachers
  • Celebrate Springtime Traditions at Easter on the Farm March 28
  • As SBDC Day Approaches, Kutztown University Small Business Development Center Brings Entrepreneurs Together to Connect, Collaborate and Strengthen their LinkedIn Presence
  • Kutztown University Announces Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Degree Recipients
… View all recent news
Copyright © 2026 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out