Institute of Social Work of Nigeria (ISOWN) National Conference, November 27-28, 2020, in partnership with Nigerian Women Association Verona and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, United Kingdom

The 11th Annual Conference of the Institute of Social Work of Nigeria (ISOWN) has been organized in partnership with the Nigerian Women Association Verona (27th -28th November 2020). THEME: THE 2020 PANDEMIC: “A Call for Critical Reappraisal of Social Work Practice in Nigeria”.

The topic of the first day of the Conference (27th November 2020) was “Human Trafficking and THE EVOLVING DYNAMICS OF VOLUNTARY RETURN”. About 120 participants have accessed the Zoom platform, but the numbers of effective participants are higher as some connections were active in common rooms. Experts from various disciplines discussed the topic, focusing on different aspects related to:

– Law and Human rights for voluntary return
– Programs, Support and Empowerment for victims of human trafficking returning to Nigeria
– Problems, difficulties and support for voluntary return
– The Role of Family, Community and Associations in the Local Context for Voluntary Return
– How the Social workers can deal with voluntary return

The welcome speech has been made by Dr. Iyeme E. Efem, ISOWN President.

Conference contributions on the first day / 27th November 2020:

Bose Aggrey – Mrs, Founder/Executive Director of Web of Hearts Foundation
Oluwakemi Victoria Ajibola – SW, Founder and President Nigerian Women Association Verona (NWAV)
Elodie Apard – Dr, University of Ibadan
Michele Bertani – PhD, Nigerian Women Association Verona, Coordinator for INSigHT Action
Adeline Dumoilin – Dr, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, United Kingdom – Modern Slavery Project
Kokunre Eghafona – Phd, University of Benin
John Emaimo – Dr, ISOWN Director
Olaide Gbadamosi – Professor, Osun State University
Evon Idahosa – Barr., Founder Pathfinder Justice Initiative
Abe Oluwafemi Moses – Jr. Researcher (research field in Nigeria), IUAV University of Venice, Lead partner of INSigHT Action
Morenike Omaiboje – Mrs, Board member and Director of Programmes, Women’s Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON)
Kemi Ottun – Asst. Dir, Lagos State Ministry of Youth & Social Dept.
Margaret Ngozi Ukegbu – Mrs, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (substituted by Mrs Alex Oturu)
Vittorio Zanon – SW, Municipality of Verona (Italy), Senior Officer for Anti-trafficking projects

The feedback that the NWA received from the Institute of Social Work of Nigeria (ISOWN) Advisory Board at the conclusion of Conference was very positive and encouraging. The great efforts made to co-organise this Conference were recognized and the issues discussed have been appreciated by the social workers.