IACD remains committed to bringing you the latest updates on our conferences during this time of uncertainty.
The spread of Covid-19 has impacted all of our communities. IACD and our partner Association of Community Development Practitioners – Kenya (ACDP-K) have made the decision to postpone the 2020 World Community Development Conference in Nairobi to June 2021. Dr. Daniel Muia is the Chair of WCDC2020 Planning Committee and IACD Regional Director for Sub-Sahara Africa. His message to our delegates is below.
WCDC2020 POSTPONED to June 2021
Dear Delegates,
Further to our earlier update of the status of WCDC2020 in Nairobi Kenya we are now in a position to offer the way forward. The primary consideration and thought at this moment is the safety and wellbeing of all across the globe.
After reviewing the unfolding Coronavirus situation, we:
- note that all modelling indicates that it is going to take some time for the virus to be fully contained;
- have taken cognisance of all precautionary measures taken by authorities, which include limitations of movement within and across international borders, closure of many public services as well as cancellation of meetings and conferences
- recognise that these measures will make it impossible for many of our presenters and guests to attend the conference in June 2020.
Since it is not clear when the authorities will declare the pandemic contained, we believe it is better to act on the side of caution so that we can prepare a truly successful World Community Development Conference in an atmosphere where we can celebrate our practice and discipline. To this end, the WCDC2020 organisers, after consulting with stakeholders including the IACD Board, have arrived at the conclusion that the most responsible action is to POSTPONE the conference to June 21st – 23rd, 2021 and Practice Exchange 24th – 25th June 2021 – and therefore transition to WCDC2021 in Nairobi Kenya.
We are deeply saddened by these circumstances and also sorry for the inconvenience this postponement may cause, as we know many of you have already made travel arrangements. Extraordinary circumstances call for extra ordinary understanding. As community development practitioners we are aware of the value of resilience and it is our hope we will emerge stronger.
However, once again this is the time to keep everyone safe – and to also give our thoughts to the brave health care system workers serving our communities, as well as those providing essential services such as food supply. Our thoughts are also with the individuals, families and communities across the globe whose lives have been visited by this pandemic.
We will be updating further in due course.
We wish you keep safe and well and we look forward to seeing you in Nairobi in June 2021.
Dr. Daniel Muia
For and on behalf of WCDC2020 in Nairobi Kenya
Conference Organising Committee
ACDP-K and IACD
Wcdc2020@acdpk.org, #wcdc2020
More Information and Resources on Covid-19 from IACD
We recently shared community development considerations and points from our global membership. We encourage our membership to reach out to us with your ideas to add to our growing list. We want to hear from you about how the virus has impacted your community and your experiences and stories of social justice responses and community resilience. Please reach out to us anytime via membership@iacdglobal.org.
