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Submission information
Submission Number: 182
Submission ID: 1181
Submission UUID: 077b2b55-86ac-4e81-adfb-19ebd94d91d0
Submission URI: /2025/abstracts
Created: Fri, 06/20/2025 - 13:03
Completed: Fri, 06/20/2025 - 13:42
Changed: Thu, 08/14/2025 - 12:59
Remote IP address: 105.245.240.214
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Current page: Complete
Webform: Abstract
| Title | Ms. |
|---|---|
| Lastname | Sny |
| Firstname | Melicia |
| melicialovekeeshia@gmail.com | |
| Mobile | 0820969185 |
| Institution | Nanterre university/trauma center for survivors of violence and torture |
| Biosketch | I am a seasoned, internationally attuned Social Work professional with over 15 years’ experience in child protection, psychosocial support, and community development. They hold dual Master’s degrees through Erasmus Mundus+, an Honours in Gender Studies, and a BSW from UNISA. My research at the University of Paris Nanterre explored innovation, legal frameworks,eco-practice and youth marginalization. With my academic grounding in eco-social leadership and gendered perspectives, I bring ethical sensitivity, cross-cultural insight, and intellectual rigor to my work—driving sustainable, justice-driven social change across diverse contexts through grassroots engagement, policy advocacy, and psychosocial intervention. |
| Is there a Second Presenter? | No |
| Title of Presentatation | Greening child justice: Exploring the impact of outdoor-education programs on the holistic wellbeing of children in conflict with the law |
| Theme Selection | THEME 1: Green Social Work and Climate Resilience: Supporting Vulnerable Communities in the Face of Environmental Crises |
| Subtheme ONE Selection | SUB 1.1 How social work integrates environmental justice, sustainability, and ecological perspectives into practice. |
| Select your Presentation Type | Oral Presentation |
| Abstract | Social workers play a crucial role in supporting children within the justice system. While South Africa’s Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 promotes restorative justice, diversion programs continue to face challenges—most notably low completion rates and rising youth crime. This study explores outdoor education programs as innovative, ecological interventions for children in conflict with the law, assessing their influence on behavior, attitudes, and personal development. Drawing on Environmental Social Work—an evolution of the ecological approach that emphasizes both human and environmental well-being—this study highlights the potential for dual-impact interventions. Grounded in constructivism and informed by Dewey’s experiential learning theory, it critically examines the experiences of former child offenders, social workers, and outdoor educators engaged in a nature-based diversion program. Findings show outdoor programs foster pro-social behavior, resilience, and community belonging—key goals in youth rehabilitation. Yet, despite these benefits, a disconnect remains between program outcomes and the broader goals of environmental justice. Social workers seldom assess the role of environmental degradation in shaping youth behavior or recognize crimes against nature (e.g., arson, poaching) as part of the larger climate crisis. Participants also demonstrated limited ecological awareness post-program, signaling a gap in environmental consciousness within restorative interventions. This study argues for an integrated model where environmental and social justice are not treated separately but are seen as mutually reinforcing. Outdoor diversion programs should evolve into eco-social interventions—addressing systemic drivers of youth crime while building ecological awareness. Given the disproportionate impact of climate change on youth, embedding Green Social Work into curricula, policies, and practice is essential. Social workers are uniquely positioned to foster youth development through nature-based interventions that restore both individuals and ecosystems. |
| Title | Dr |
| Firstname | Bashizi Bashige |
| Lastname | Murhula |
| Does the Abstract fit the selected Theme? | Yes |
| What Area does this Abstract Focus on? | Empirical Research |
| Status | Accepted |
| Title | Prof |
| Firstname | Roelf |
| Lastname | Reyneke |
| Does the Abstract fit the selected Theme? | Yes |
| What Area does this Abstract Focus on? | Empirical Research |
| Status | Accepted |