Beyond Borders: Advancing the SDGs Through Transdisciplinary Action
Beyond Borders: Advancing the SDGs Through Transdisciplinary Action
A Global Conference Grounded in Social Work and Cross-Sector Collaboration
Dates: January 14–17, 2027
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
What is Social Work’s Role in Advancing Sustainable Development—Now and Beyond 2030?
Join us as an international community of social workers, scholars, and change-makers gather in Lusaka, Zambia, for an international conference centered on that urgent question.
As the global community approaches the 2030 deadline for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the role of practitioners and scholars in bridging local realities with global frameworks has become increasingly urgent. These actors are uniquely positioned to advance sustainable development by promoting justice, equity, and dignity across diverse contexts.
We invite practitioners, researchers, policymakers, educators, and students from all disciplines across the world to explore how we can collectively celebrate successes and confront challenges in advancing the SDGs, while also considering what lies ahead after 2030.
Conference Themes/Subthemes
We invite proposals that engage with the conference theme from local, regional, or global perspectives. Suggested subthemes include, but are not limited to:
Climate Justice and Environmental Sustainability: Exploring and advancing efforts in climate adaptation, disaster response, and ecological justice.
Migration, Displacement, and Human Rights: Protecting and empowering refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced people.
Health and Education Across the Lifespan: Advancing mental health, physical health, and community well-being through the SDGs.
Protection and Inclusive Societies: Addressing gender equity, gender-based violence, child protection, and equity across social institutions with attention to the inclusion of all marginalized identities.
Human Security: Tackling various forms of insecurity and building community resilience through social work, education, and global health practice and policy.
Digital Transformation and Innovation for Social Change: Leveraging technology and generative artificial intelligence in ethical and inclusive ways to support sustainable development.
Call for Proposals
We particularly welcome proposals that reflect on:
Transdisciplinary approaches that center social work
What success in achieving the SDGs looks like for communities, including academics, practitioners, civil society actors, etc.
How communities have navigated barriers, structural challenges, and competing priorities.
What comes after 2030, when the SDGs expire, and how we can influence future global development frameworks.
Proposal Formats
Submissions are welcome in the following formats:
Individual papers/presentations – 15–20 minutes each
Panel discussions – 3–4 speakers with a unifying theme
Workshops/skills sessions – 60–90 minutes, interactive format
Poster presentations – research findings, case studies, or practice models
Submission Guidelines
Abstract Length: 250–300 words
Include: title, format, subtheme(s), and names/affiliations of all presenters
Deadline for submission: August 31, 2026 [EXTENDED to September 30]
This call is open to academics, practitioners, community leaders, civil society, policymakers, students, and transdisciplinary partners engaged with sustainable development and social justice. We are particularly interested in abstracts that address these various themes from a social work and/or social justice framework.
Registration Information
Registration Rates
Registration fees are listed in U.S. dollars (USD). We recognize that currency differences can significantly impact accessibility and are committed to equitable participation across regions. Tiered pricing options have been designed to reflect varying economic contexts. For the most up-to-date exchange rates, we recommend visiting XE Currency Converter or OANDA to estimate costs in your local currency.
Registration Form
Beyond Borders Participant Registration & Payment Form
"*" indicates required fields
Registration Category
Early Bird Pricing
Regular Pricing
One Day Pass
Zambian residents/local
NGOs/community organizations
$50
$65
$40
African residents (outside of Zambia)
$120
$150
$70
Global South residents (outside of Africa)
$150
$175
$80
Global North residents
$275
$325
$150
Government Officials/multilateral
agencies
$325
$275
$200
Students (Global South)
$30
$40
$25
Students (Global North)
$60
$75
$40
Virtual Attendance
$30
$50
$10
Sponsorship Information
Sponsorship Form
Beyond Borders Sponsorship Form
"*" indicates required fields
Sponsorship Packages
We invite organizations, institutions, agencies, and community partners to support the conference through one of the following sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorship contributions directly strengthen the accessibility and impact of the conference by helping to expand participation, support scholarship opportunities, and foster meaningful global dialogue among scholars, practitioners, students, and community leaders.
Catalyst Partner - $10,000
Catalyst Partners serve as lead sponsors of the conference and play a vital role in making the event possible. This sponsorship level includes lead sponsor recognition, logo placement on the conference website and conference materials, acknowledgment during the opening session, three complimentary conference registrations, and an exhibition table. Contributions at this level help fund travel scholarships and ensure that African scholars, students, and community practitioners are able to participate in important global conversations that shape research, policy, and practice.
Collaborating Partner - $5,000
Collaborating Partners help expand access and representation across the conference community. This sponsorship includes logo placement on the conference website, two complimentary registrations, an exhibition table, and recognition in the conference program. Support from Collaborating Partners helps provide reduced registration opportunities for practitioners, early-career scholars, and NGO partners from across Africa, ensuring a broad range of perspectives and experiences are included in conference dialogue and collaboration.
Supporting Partner - $1,000
Supporting Partners contribute to the creation of an inclusive and engaging conference experience. This sponsorship level includes logo placement on the conference website, one complimentary registration, an exhibition table, and recognition in the conference program. Contributions support student participation and help sustain conference programming focused on learning, collaboration, and international knowledge exchange.
Community Partner - $750
Community Partners play an important role in supporting local engagement and participation. This sponsorship includes a mention on the conference website, one complimentary registration, an exhibition table, and recognition in the conference program. Community Partner contributions help support attendance for Zambian students, practitioners, and community organizations, ensuring strong local representation and community-centered dialogue throughout the conference.
Venue and Hotel Information
We look forward to welcoming you to Lusaka! The conference will take place at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, providing a central and accessible location for our sessions, networking, and conference activities.
To make your stay as convenient as possible, we have partnered with a number of local hotels to offer discounted rates for conference attendees. Participating hotels, special conference rates, booking instructions, and other accommodation details will be posted below.
We encourage attendees to book early to take advantage of conference rates and ensure availability.
For those looking for things to do outside of the conference, we have compiled a list of safari options for you to explore: Safari Packages
Professor Margaret Lombe and Assistant Dean of Teaching and Innovation, Lyndsey McMahan, from Boston University School of Social Work, in partnership with The Catholic University of East Africa, The Zambia Catholic University, and The University of Zambia.
