Assam governor inaugurates 14th Indian Social Work Conference in Sonapur
The three-day event at Assam Don Bosco University focuses on the transition from welfare to wellbeing and the future of social work.
Assam governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya inaugurated the 14th Indian Social Work Conference at the Tapesia campus of Assam Don Bosco University in Sonapur on November 2, 2026. According to The News Mill, the three-day conference is being held by the university’s social work department alongside the National Association of Professional Social Workers in India (NAPSWI).
The event brings together over 300 students, researchers, academics, policymakers, and social work professionals from India and overseas. The gathering aims to discuss the future of social work and the shift from welfare to wellbeing.
Addressing the attendees, Acharya said a nation's progress is measured by the self-reliance, equal opportunities, and dignity provided to its most vulnerable citizens. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision, he called for a move from welfare assistance toward empowerment.
Acharya identified several priorities for social intervention in Assam, including mental health awareness, drug abuse prevention, and the safety of women and children. He also noted the need for healthcare and education in tea garden areas, tribal community empowerment, environmental protection, and rehabilitating families affected by disasters.
Six individuals received Lifetime Achievement Awards for their work in the field. The recipients were M. N.
Parmar of Parul University, Sonia P. Deuri of LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health, Supriya Pattanaik of CUTM, Vishanthie Sewpaul from South Africa, Reshma Dixit of The Catalyst, and Liinai Margaret of MOSONiE Socio-Economic Foundation.
The inaugural programme included the release of a souvenir, a conference abstract book, and a document regarding the ethical use of technology in social work education and practice in India. The conference will continue until November 4.