A secretary of labor in former President Bill Clinton’s administration and a chief diversity officer and divisional vice president of a major drug store chain will be among the keynote speakers at NASW’s 2014 National Conference.
Social Work: Courage, Hope & Leadership, will take place in Washington, D.C., July 23-26.
Keynote speaker Robert Reich, who Time magazine named one of the 10 most effective Cabinet secretaries of the 20th century, is a prolific writer whose latest book, “Beyond Outrage,” has been acclaimed for its focus on the economy and the need to give back a voice to the American people. Reich is the Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkley, the co-founder of American Prospect Magazine, and a regular contributor to the New York Times, Huffington Post, Salon.com and NPR.
Keynote speaker Steve Pemberton has written about his early life in the foster care system in his book, A Chance in the World: An Orphan Boy, a Mysterious Past, and How He Found a Place Called Home. He is the chief diversity officer and divisional vice president at Walgreens, and was named one of “Top 20 Chief Diversity Officers in Corporate America” by Fortune Magazine. His perspective on workplace inclusion has led to increased productivity at one of the nation’s most respected businesses, and his advocacy for vulnerable youth seeks to improve education access.
NASW’s conference will be an opportunity for social workers across the country to network, exchange best practices and enhance their understanding of issues affecting society, families and the profession, said NASW CEO Angelo McClain.
“This gathering will build upon the success of the 2012 Hope Conference by doubling the amount of attendees from 1,000 to 2,000,” he said. “We look forward to hosting social workers from every field of practice and re-energizing our collective commitment to the profession.”
In addition to more than 100 breakout sessions, attendees may choose to participate in one of several pre-conference workshops, including sessions on understanding and decoding the DSM-5, best practices in supervision, cultural competency, building a science in social work practice, undoing institutional racism, social work ethics and risk management, and HIV prevention among the elderly.
This year’s national gathering will once again include a social work film festival. It will highlight films featuring social workers, films made by social workers, and film projects that have made an impression on the profession. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the filmmakers for discussion after each screening and can earn continuing education credits.
Plenary sessions presented by leaders in the field and a reception for the NASW and NASW Foundation National Awards recipients will also take place. Honorees will be awarded for lifetime achievements and contributions to the community and the social work profession.