PASIGHAT, Jun 30: Arunachal Pradesh University's Assistant Professor of Social Work, Ngurang Mana, represented India at the Joint Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development (SWSD 2026) held in Nairobi, Kenya, from June 26 to 29.
Mana presented her ongoing PhD research titled "Prospects on the Educational Reintegration of Adolescents Recovering from Substance Use in Arunachal Pradesh", which explores the educational experiences of adolescents recovering from substance use and proposes pathways for their successful reintegration into mainstream education.
The study emphasizes the need for coordinated interventions involving rehabilitation centres, educational institutions, families, communities and government agencies to ensure sustainable recovery and educational continuity for affected adolescents.
The conference was jointly organised by the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW), and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), in collaboration with the Global Agenda Taskforce and the Kenya National Association of Social Workers (KNASW).
Held under the theme "Harambee: Social Workers Unite for Sustainable Shared Futures," the event brought together social work professionals, researchers and policymakers from more than 100 countries.
Speaking about her experience at the conference, Mana said it provided an important platform to present research findings on adolescent substance use in Arunachal Pradesh and engage with international scholars and practitioners working on similar issues. She noted that such exchanges facilitate knowledge sharing and foster collaborations that can contribute to evidence-based responses to social challenges.
Mana also stressed the need for greater recognition of professional social work in Arunachal Pradesh, stating that the discipline is grounded in academic training, research and ethical practice. She highlighted the role of trained social workers in addressing issues such as substance abuse, mental health, child protection, school reintegration, community development and disaster response.
She further advocated for the creation of institutional opportunities for qualified social workers within government departments, educational institutions, healthcare settings and community organisations across the state.