We create, aggregate and disseminate information and resources, often digitally, to facilitate Social Work and Development on the African continent. We believe in African knowledges, often termed indigenous knowledges and recognise their roles in building an African social and development work knowledge base that emancipates social work students, academics, practitioners, librarians, publishers, leaders, communities and researchers. At the centre of this facilitation is use of African languages and values such as those espoused in Ubuntu. The ASWDNet values and recognises African histories, philosophies, practices, founders, writers, languages and literature, and hopes you, the reader and user of our information, will do the same. Our work is transformational. We cordially invite you to join our network. Please feel free to contact us. We hope the information on this website will inspire you. You are welcome to contribute to our blog, books, journal on development, journal on social work and other publications.

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Social work is an academic discipline and profession that embraces and enhances long-held methods of addressing life challenges in order to increase social functioning, development, cohesion and liberation using diverse indigenous knowledges and values enshrined in the family, community, society, environment and in spirituality (ASWDNet, 2021).

“Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work.  Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledges, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing” (amplifiable global definition of IFSW/IASSW/ICSW).

Development is a process of ensuring that a community has all the tangible and non-tangible goods, infrastructure and services required to satisfy their short- to long-term needs (ASWDNet, 2021). It is also an academic discipline and profession in other countries.

Developmental social services refer to a range of practical and theoretical strategies aimed at building and sustaining individual, family, community and societal economic capacity to meet their social needs and addressing economic barriers towards social well-being (ASWDNet, 2025).

Social development refers to dealing with social issues and problems at the macro, societal and structural levels of society – social policies, social structures and social institutions as opposed to individual development, family development and community development (ASWDNET, 2025).

Academic and CPD courses, modules or subjects that have more developmental content are:

1. Developmental Welfare (addressing social welfare through a developmental lens).
2. Social Development (as above)
3. Community Development (empowering communities).
4. Developmental Research (creation evidence for development).
5. Developmental Fieldwork (practical, hands-on experience into development al activities).
6. Development Administration (effective management and governance of development programmes).
7. International Development (working in global and regional).
8. Economic Development (for example creating employment, enhancing livelihoods and promoting financial inclusion).
9. Socio-Economic Development (the intersection of social and economic factors).

Is there a fee for being a member? There is no fee, membership is free.

Who can be a member? African social workers and development workers, from all region of Africa including the Diaspora region.

What is the purpose of the Network? The ASWDNet creates, aggregates and disseminates information and resources to facilitate Social Work on the African continent.

When was the network formed? In 2020

Does the ASWDNet offer diploma and degree training in social work and development? No

What are the benefits of being a member? Please see the list here.

How do I access the ASWDNet web library? Please use this link?

How do I access ASWDNet journals? Use this link.

How about other African journals in social work and development? Use this link.

I am looking for African theories, where to I get this? Please use this link.

I want to learn more about African philosophy? Visit this page.

Where do I get more information about social work and development in Africa? Here.

What events are coming? Please visit this page.

I want to have ethics advice before I plan my research, how do I go about this/ Where do I get information? If you do not have easy access to an ethics committee, we suggest you email the Africa Independent Ethics Committee. More information is here.

I do fundraising, where do I learn about Ubuntu values and ethics in resource mobilisation? Here. And there is more about Ubuntu values and ethics here.