The 13th Indian Social Work Conference (ISWC) 2025 was inaugurated at Centurion University, Bhubaneswar, bringing together over 500 academics, practitioners, and policymakers. Organised by Centurion University in collaboration with the National Association of Professional Social Workers in India (NAPSWI) and the Odisha Professional Social Workers Association (OPSWA), the three-day event explores the theme “Technology, Innovation, and Society: Challenges and Opportunities for Ecosocial Work and Sustainable Development.”

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Surama Padhy, hon’ble speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, along with key dignitaries including Prof. Mukti Kant Mishra, president, CUTM; Prof. Supriya Pattanayak, vice chancellor, CUTM; Prof. Sanjai Bhatt, president, NAPSWI; Prof. Anoop Kumar Bhartiya, secretary, NAPSWI; Dr. Gayatri Patnaik, president, OPSWA; Dr. Pradeep Kumar Sahoo, organising secretary; Dr. Anita Patra, registrar, CUTM; and Dr. Ansuman Jena, co-convener.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Anoop Kumar Bhartiya underlined the importance of integrating ethics with emerging technologies to ensure compassionate social care. Dr. Gayatri Patnaik reaffirmed OPSWA’s dedication to strengthening fieldwork ecosystems across Odisha. Prof. Sanjai Bhatt highlighted the conference’s role in aligning policy and practice around climate justice, gender equity, mental health, and digital inclusion.

Prof. Mukti Kant Mishra reiterated Centurion University’s vision of embedding social responsibility into skill-integrated higher education, while Smt. Surama Padhy commended Odisha’s model of community-centred governance in disaster management and women’s empowerment. Prof. Supriya Pattanayak described the conference as “a living lab” fostering collaboration among academia, government, and civil society.

Odisha’s leadership in social development was prominently recognised, with the state’s zero-casualty cyclone preparedness model and Mission Shakti’s 70-lakh-strong women’s self-help group network cited as exemplary initiatives.

The ISWC 2025 serves as a vital platform to connect local best practices with global social work standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), setting the stage for actionable outcomes in the days ahead.

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