Other Past Conferences
IACD has regularly partnered with national, regional and international community development organisations to host conferences around the world. These are intended to bring together community development practitioners, researchers, educators, students and others to explore current and emerging themes of concern and relevant to community development policy and practice. These conferences also facilitate participants to hear from key contributors, share experience and identify further opportunities for practice and professional development.
Following these conferences we often publish conference reports, special publications, Declarations and articles in Practice Insights Magazine and other journals.
Below are details of some of the international and regional conferences IACD and partners have previously hosted.
2018
International Inclusive Communities Pushing the Limits Conference - Georgia
IACD supported the International Inclusive Communities Pushing the Limits Conference on Community Development and Disability. The conference was attended by 300 participants from across post Soviet Union countries and organised by IACD member Inclusive Practices. This was the first IACD associated conference that had taken place in one of the post Soviet Union countries. It was also the opportunity to launch the Russian and Georgian language translations of the International Standards. IACD wishes to express huge thanks to our partners, Inclusive Practices, for translating the report and for organising such a wonderful conference.
Conference on Community Economic Development - Nigeria
The IACD/Institute for Community Development Practitioners/University of Ogun State 2018 conference was held in September, on the theme of Strengthening Community Economic Development. The conference was organised and chaired by IACD Africa Director and Global Ambassador Muhammad Bello Shitu. Prof Shitu was the editor of the Africa Special Issue of Practice Insights magazine which include articles from the conference, as well as articles about community development from Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, South Africa and more.
Asia-Pacific Community Development Conference in De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde - Philippines
Theme: Reflexive Community Development Practice Amidst
Complex Realities and Alternative Movements
2017
Sustainably Yours, Community Development and a Sustainable Future! - Aotearoa/New Zealand
An IACD International/Oceania Conference was held in Auckland, New Zealand in partnership with the ACDA, New Zealand Community Development Association. This conference continued our roadshow of events related to the implications for community development of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. A report on the 2017 New Zealand conference has been published and some papers appeared in the April 2017 issue of Practice Insights magazine.
Strengthening State. Third Sector Engagement for Sustainable Community Development - Nigeria
2016
European Regional Conference on the Implication for Community Development of the UN Sustainable Development Goals - Scotland
Organized by IACD and the European Community Development Network, Community Work Ireland and Community Development Alliance Scotland. Around 100 attended. A report of the conference, including a statement from participants on future collaborative action across Europe can be found in the 6th Edition of Practice Insights Magazine.
IACD/Nigerian Community Development Practitioners Association West African Regional conference - Nigeria
Over 60 IACD members attended this conference. Topics covered included:
- Education and Community Development
- Peace, Conflict and Disaster Management
- Health Sector, Welfare and Youth Development
- Policy Frameworks, Community Change and Faith Based Issues
- Community Participation and Voluntary Sector
- Innovations, Communications and Extension Support Issues
Sustaining Community Change—Building Local Capacity to Sustain Community Development Initiatives - United States
IACD/Community Development Society (CDS) joint Conference in Bloomington, Minnesota. The conference had a special focus upon the implication of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for Community Development. Keynote speakers included the Vice President of the World Bank. Several hundred practitioners and scholars from over thirty countries attended this four day conference. The December 2016 issue of Practice Insights magazine contains a report from the conference.
South Asia Regional Conference - India
This Conference took place in New Delhi, hosted by IACD in partnership with Grassroots. This was the first of our roadshow events about the implications of the UN SDGs for community development.
2015
Community Development Journal 50th Anniversary Conference: Why Community Development? Continuity and Innovation - Scotland
International session,reception and our AGM at the 50th Anniversary Conference of our partner the international Community Development Journal held at the University of Edinburgh. Participants attended from across the world to celebrate half a century of community development scholarship. Author Marj Mayo, IACD and CDJ Board member was one of the keynote speakers. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuchj3cXRWc
2014
Community is the Answer - Scotland
400 delegates from 32 countries came together in Glasgow, Scotland, to consider “What is our common wealth?” and to celebrate community-led action around the globe. Over three and a half days, a lively crowd of community members, activists, practitioners, researchers and policymakers explored how community development approaches catalyse and sustain change. Conversations were structured around three themes: Health, Wealth and Power. Our partner here was the Scottish Community Learning and Development Standards Council.
Find out more about IACD’s 2014 international conference in Issue 4 of our Practice Insights Magazine.
2013
In 2013 we ran two smaller celebratory events to coincide with our 60th anniversary. These were both held in the UK, the first in Scotland, where we are based, supported by the Carnegie UK Trust, and the second in London, supported by the Carnegie Foundation.
2011
Transformative Leadership and Empowering Communities - Portugal
In 2011, delegates from Around the World met in Lisbon, Portugal. Hosted by the Sociedade Portuguesa de Psicologia Comunitária and the Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada (ISPA), the conference attracted approximately 200 delegates from Europe and around the world. Sessions allowed sharing of research and practice in areas such as community participation, women and leadership, migration, integration and entrepreneurship.
2010
The Role of Community in Economic and Disaster Recovery - United States
In 2010 we partnered with the US Community Development Society to run an international conference in New Orleans, United States.
2009
Building Community Centred Economies - Australia
In 2009, several hundred participants from around the world, attended our conference in Brisbane, Australia. You can read the Conference Report here.
2008
What’s Working in Community Development - Canada
In 2008 our international conference was in Nova Scotia, Canada under the title What’s Working in Community Development.
2007
Partnership for People-Centred development: challenges and responses in a globalising world - Hong Kong
In 2007 two hundred and fifty community development workers, academics, researchers, donors, policy-makers, and representatives from government, civil society organisations and community groups, met in Hong Kong, China at our international conference. From this conference emerged the Hong Kong Declaration.
Between 1979 and 2006 we held conferences in:
Yaoundé (Cameroon) 2006
Budapest (Hungary) 2004
Ithaca (USA) 2003
Montreal (Canada) 2002
Rotorua (New Zealand) 2001
London (UK) 2001
Tel Aviv (Israel) 2000
Edinburgh (Scotland) 1999
Pretoria (South Africa) 1997
Charleroi (Belgium) 1996
Banglamung (Thailand) 1993
Charleroi (Belgium) 1991
Bangkok (Thailand) 1989
Taipei (Taiwan) 1987
Charleroi (Belgium) 1986
Seoul (South Korea) 1984
Cairo (Egypt) 1983
Kigali (Rwanda) 1980
Dakar (Senegal) 1979