Request for Proposals Social Justice Symposium January 26, 2008 UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare The Social Justice Symposium is being organized by a group of graduate students through the Social Welfare Graduate Assembly and with the support of the Dean’s Office. The purpose of the symposium is to connect academic learning with critical analysis and practical experience. The objectives are threefold: To engage graduate students and practitioners in a process of consciousness-raising and reflection while developing the necessary practical skills for action towards social justice. To provide a structured forum for students, faculty, and others to network, discuss, and share strategies for fulfilling the ethical commitment to work towards social change. To continue a tradition in the School of Social Welfare of coming together to host an annual symposium to integrate theory with practice, focusing on key issues in the social work profession. We invite any individual or group with knowledge and experience, especially students, fieldwork instructors, social workers in the field, or community leaders, to present workshop proposals. Workshops should be interactive, skills-based, and relevant to current issues in social work practice. Presenters should provide tools and/or action steps to work towards social justice. A list of last year’s workshops is attached for your reference. Workshops will include one or more of the following categories: 1. Consciousness-raising: These workshops will inform participants about current issues in the field and how they impact our clients and social work practice. Particular consideration will be given for those topics which are not addressed in coursework. Examples (these are broad – workshops will want to focus on specific aspects of these topics): Corrections and the criminal justice system, juvenile justice, Queer concerns/issues, religion/faith in practice, poverty, racism/oppression, disabilities, immigrant/refugee rights, class dynamics and culture, globalization/human rights, environmental justice, community violence, etc. 2. Skills for practice: These workshops will be instructive and skills-based, and will focus on how social justice and social change can be incorporated into social work practice. Examples: Navigating ‘the system’ to create change, the rights of biological parents in the CPS system, empowerment practice, youth empowerment, building community capacity, interdepartmental collaboration, client involvement in program planning and evaluation, innovative interventions towards social justice, applying queer, feminist, or other post-modern theories to practice, etc. 3. Self-reflection: These workshops will invite critical self-reflection that serves to construct a personal definition of social justice and a personal commitment to social change. These workshops will incorporate a variety of techniques to inspire self-reflection and critical thinking through theater, film, art, writing, physical expression, music and discussion. Examples: Reflecting on how your culture/race/ethnicity/class/gender/sexual orientation/religious beliefs inform your identity and practice, discovering your definition and commitment to social justice, exploring personal histories and cultural expression, etc. Presenters will have 90 minutes for their workshop. (There may be the option of a 3-hour workshop. Please indicate this in the proposal.) A limited supply budget may be available. Submitting a workshop proposal: Please complete the Proposal Form in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) or the Proposal Form in Word by Wednesday, October 31st to Diana Valentine at socialjusticesymposium2008@gmail.com or drop (or mail) the proposal in the envelope with Crystal at: University of California School of Social Welfare, 120 Haviland Hall #7400, Berkeley, CA 94720-7400 Feel free to contact us with any questions. THANK YOU!!!