From Sri Lanka to the Asia-Pacific Stage: Championing Climate Justice Through Social Work

Recently, Nethma from Sri Lanka who attended the 2025 CII course attended the APSWC 2025 Conference—a landmark regional gathering of social work educators, practitioners, researchers, and students from across the Asia-Pacific.

Held in collaboration with the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Asia Pacific, this conference was more than just an event—it was a growing movement for environmental justice, community resilience, and climate equity in a region facing some of the world’s most severe climate challenges.

This year, social workers from across the Asia-Pacific came together under the urgent and inspiring theme: “Social Work Responses to Climate Change & Environmental Issues.” As climate disasters intensify and environmental degradation deepens social inequalities, the conference spotlighted the profession’s critical role in protecting communities, amplifying marginalized voices, and shaping sustainable futures.

Representing Sri Lanka, Nethma delivered a powerful research presentation on climate change, vulnerability, and social marginalisation. The research highlighted a sobering truth: climate risks rarely fall evenly. Instead, they disproportionately affect communities already facing social and economic disadvantage—those with limited resources, fragile livelihoods, and minimal access to decision-making power.

By linking climate impacts with structural inequality, Nethma’s work reinforced a central message of APSWC 2025: climate change is not just an environmental crisis—it is a social justice challenge. The presentation sparked meaningful conversations on how social workers can lead responses through advocacy, community-led solutions, and policies grounded in equity and inclusion.

Participation in APSWC 2025 marked a significant milestone Nethma, showcasing Sri Lanka on a regional platform and reaffirming social work’s vital role in advancing climate justice across the Asia-Pacific.