The Table page displays a submission's general information and data using tabular layout. Watch video
Submission information
Submission Number: 214
Submission ID: 1364
Submission UUID: 72e5577b-0a89-4255-9dc6-dd3850b27682
Submission URI: /2025/abstracts
Created: Sat, 06/28/2025 - 13:42
Completed: Sat, 06/28/2025 - 14:34
Changed: Fri, 07/25/2025 - 10:33
Remote IP address: 41.13.176.74
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Current page: Complete
Webform: Abstract
| Title | Ms. |
|---|---|
| Lastname | Legegeru |
| Firstname | Kelopile suzan |
| kelopilesue@gmail.com | |
| Mobile | 0796460743 |
| Institution | Fs department of social development |
| Biosketch | K.S.Legegeru holds a Bachelors Degree in Social Work as obtained from the University of the Free State. She is currently working as a Social Work Supervisor in the FS Department of Social Development. She further serves as a Deputy Chairperson in the Social Work Supervisors Learning and Support Forum within Thabo Mofutsanyana District. |
| Is there a Second Presenter? | No |
| Title of Presentatation | Exploring how Social Workers integrate environmental justice,sustainability and ecological perspective into practice. |
| Theme Selection | THEME 1: Green Social Work and Climate Resilience: Supporting Vulnerable Communities in the Face of Environmental Crises |
| Subtheme ONE Selection | SUB 1.3 How social workers support resilience, adaptation, and recovery in affected communities. |
| Select your Presentation Type | Oral Presentation |
| Abstract | EXPLORING HOW SOCIAL WORKERS INTEGRATE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, SUSTAINABILITY AND ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES INTO PRACTICE. In the wake of environmental crises in South Africa, a need to integrate environmental justice, sustainability and ecological perspectives into practice has never been more urgent. While environmental crises impacts us all, vulnerable and marginalized populations are impacted more adversely; threatening livelihoods and deepening existing inequalities. As a profession with a long-standing declared focus on person-in-environment, Social Work may be key in accelerating interdisciplinary efforts to tackle environmental threats to human wellbeing and continued existence. Yet, the profession has evidently been silent or less involved. This qualitative study used a descriptive design to explore how Social Workers integrate environmental justice, sustainability and ecological perspectives into practice. Utilizing the instrumental case study, the researcher purposively sampled ten Social Workers employed by the Free State Department of Social Development in Phuthaditjhaba. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken to obtain the data which was thematically analysed. The findings of the study shows that although Social Workers are aware about the inter-relatedness between ecological issues and social problems ( including poverty, inequality and social exclusion) in light of rapidly mounting environmental crises; lack of capacity building in the area limits their capacity to integrate green social work( environmental justice, sustainability and climate resilience) into their daily practice. The findings also suggests that Social Workers are playing a limited role in environmental justice and sustainability. It further shows that the focus has largely been on mitigating the impacts in the aftermaths of environmental crises. Thus, their interventions are more reactive than proactive. The study findings are envisioned to develop an understanding on how Social Workers can utilize their expertise to enhance the prevention of environmental crises, accelerate the mitigation of subsequent impact, while protecting vulnerable populations and promoting environmental justice and sustainability. |
| Title | Dr |
| Firstname | Sandile |
| Lastname | Dhludhlu |
| Does the Abstract fit the selected Theme? | Yes |
| What Area does this Abstract Focus on? | Empirical Research |
| Status | Accepted |
| Title | Dr |
| Firstname | Sandile |
| Lastname | Dhludhlu |
| Does the Abstract fit the selected Theme? | Yes |
| What Area does this Abstract Focus on? | Empirical Research |
| Status | Accepted |