the social development agency
London
Social development processes aim to bring about economic and social improvement
in the lives of people through capacity building. Often this involves
institution-building and social change. The International Consortium for Social
Development (ICSD) is an organization of practitioners, scholars and students in
the human services. It was started in the 1970’s by a group of social work
educators to respond to pressing human concerns from an international,
interdisciplinary perspective. The organization seeks to develop conceptual
frameworks and effective intervention strategies geared to influencing local,
national and international systems. It is committed to creating peaceful
solutions to the problems of survival at the local, national and global levels.
ICSD members use a social development approach to: Develop capacity of
individuals and communities Promote world peace and social justice Improve
access to adequate health care and education Overcome discrimination against
women and minorities Create sustainable income and economic structures ICSD
serves as a clearinghouse for information on international social development.
The Consortium fosters collaboration among personnel of organizations such as
the United Nations, World Bank, UNESCO, and UNICEF as well as among professional
associations in the human services and institutions of higher learning. ICSD is
a well-established and widely recognized international catalyst for sharing
ideas among many nations and across many cultures. The ICSD Technical Assistance
Roster links members’ special expertise in international social development to
agencies, governments and organizations upon request. Areas of expertise
include: Community and economic development Organization and program building
Education and training in problem-solving processes Monitoring of social
development projects ICSD provides mutual consultation and cooperative action on
social development. Typical areas include: Curriculum development Faculty
recruitment and training International liaison among colleagues with similar
research or practice interests Conferences for educators, practitioners,
officials, and others Research and demonstration projects Increasing decision
making capacity of local residents including women
