Date

On 16 June

Time

08AM-12PM WAT | 09AM-1PM CAT/SAT | 10AM-2PM EAT (time may change)

Theme

Current theme: A call to action: Strengthening universal access to clean water and sanitation to foster child dignity and development.

Previous themes

2025: A 14-Year Legacy of policy and practice: Investing in Child Rights through responsive budgeting

Hashtags

#DACC #DayOfTheAfricanChild #InternationalDayOfTheAfricanChild

Below are the posters to share. Pin on notice boards, share on social media and send via emails. Print and post.

2026 poster

2025 posters

Poster pdf

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

For you to get a chance to present, you will need to submit an abstract. An abstract is a statement that introduces a report, article or research in a summarised way. Submit abstract using this form. Please follow these guidelines:

• • Your abstract should have a title.

• • Your name, email and institution and college level (if available).

• • The abstract paragraph should have an opening sentence introducing the topic, clarification of the research gap\questions/needs/purpose, theories used to understand the issue, methods used to collect data (e.g. personal experience, stories, photo taking, family interviews, baliano, literature review, documents, social media and ETHICS), summary of the data or findings, conclusions reached and recommendations or implications.

• • Abstract should be 150-200 words long – with sub-headings (see example at the end)

• • Abstract should report academic or non-academic research that has already been done or that will be completed before 14 June each year OR could be based on your experience or reflections at home, in the community, at university, during placement.

• • There should be no references in the abstract.

• • Prioritise African philosophy, theories, sources of knowledge and research methods.
    • • Africa research methods can be read here – https://africasocialwork.net/research/
    • • African theories can be read here – https://africasocialwork.net/african-theories-of-social-work/
    • • African philosophy can be read here – https://africasocialwork.net/african-philosophy/
    • • Ubuntu (Africa’s philosophy) – https://africasocialwork.net/ubuntu-database/

• • It is ok to write the abstract in your own language, to use words from any African language in the abstract, title or key words.

• • Add 5-8 key words – all key words must be used in the abstract paragraph.

Please download and share this call for abstracts poster.

ABSTRACT EXAMPLE

ABSTRACT REVIEW GUIDES

There is a table and text reviewer guide, they are all acceptable.

TABLE GUIDE

INSTRUCTIONS: You can give qualitative comments or quantitative ratings or both. The outcomes are the same for both – Accept, Revise or Reject. For quantitative ratings, abstract that’s cores 0-3 marks will be rejected, 4-6 will be revised by authors and reviewed again, 7-10 will be accepted. You can put comments in the table . Click to get Word version of Reviewer guidelines SOCIAL WORK and DEVELOPMENT STUDENT CONFERENCE.

TEXT GUIDE

INSTRUCTIONS: Put your feedback comments or ratings at the end of each point.

1. Your abstract should have relevant, concise and original title, your full name, email and institution and college level (if available).
2. The abstract  should have an opening sentence introducing the topic, aim or objectives, clarification of the research gap\questions/needs/purpose, African theories, methods used to collect data (e.g. personal experience, stories, photo taking, family interviews, baliano, literature review, documents, social media), methods, procedures and tools for data analysis, summary of the data and findings proving there is sufficient for presentation, relevant conclusions reached and recommendations or implications and potential impact for policy, practice, teaching, learning and further research.
3. Abstract should be between 150 and 200 words long – sub-headings used.
4. Abstract should report research that has already been done or that will be completed before the conference or could be based on your experience or reflections at home, in the community, at university, during placement.
5. There should be no references in the abstract.
6. It is ok to write in your language, to use words from any African language, including the title or key words.
7. Add 5-8 key words – all key words must be appearing in the abstract paragraph.
8. Prioritise African philosophy, theories, sources of knowledge and research methods
9. Other criteria: potential impact of findings, trustworthiness of research process, limitations, conflict of interest declared
10. Any other feedback

Decision: Accept, Revise or Reject

Resources to help you

• African philosophy (Ubuntu) – https://africasocialwork.net/glossary/philosophy/
• Africa research methods can be read here – https://africasocialwork.net/research/
• African theories are here – https://africasocialwork.net/african-theories-of-social-work/
• African philosophy can be read here – https://africasocialwork.net/african-philosophy/
•  Ubuntu – https://africasocialwork.net/ubuntu-database/ and https://africasocialwork.net/ubuntu/
•  Examples of abstracts – click here and presentation – click here.
• Africa Union DAC click here or ACERWC

PRESENTER GUIDE

🪘 PowerPoint slide-making guide

(For a 10-minute presentation)

🧭 1. Plan for time before hand

• For a 10-minute presentation, use no more than 12 slides.
  • 8 slides for full discussion (spend 1 minute per slide, but can spend less and longer in others but not more than 2 minutes per slide)
  • 4 slides that you show briefly in passing or speak to for not less than 30 seconds.
  • Do not spend a lot of time introducing self or topic or providing the background, MOST IMPORTANT are:
    • Why – why this research was needed?
    • How – how was it done? Can the researcher and results be trusted, is this true research? What is evidence of data collection? Were participants protected? Are methods enough to produce these findings?  Are findings strong for us to adopt recommedations to change practice?
    • What – what were the main and unique results (not demographic results), what is new?
    • What- what do the results mean? What should change?
    • How- how should the change happen?

🌀2. Slide design basics

• Font size 24 throughout.
• Make headings bold, the rest not bold unless who want to show emphasis.
• Use dark fonts on light backgrounds, or vice versa, for visibility.
• Aim for one visual element per slide (photo, drawing, chart, quote etc.).
• Keep text minimal – use bullet points or keywords.

📑 3. Slide structure

• Slide 1 – Cover slide – title, your name, affiliation, conference name and date.
• Slide 2 – Overview slide – outline of topics. if you have any conflict of interest, mention here or slide 1.
• Slides 3–10 – Main content slides – your discussion points.
• Slide 11 – Summary slide – key points and conclusions or Thank you slide.
• Slide 12 –  References list slide – full list of cited works.

🪮 4. Content tips

• Stick to your main theme and stay relevant throughout.
• Always create your key points first instead of asking AI to create for you – if you use AI, revise outputs so that you remain the thinker or author.
• Place citations within slides (e.g. Amadasun, 2021, Okoye, 2024).
• Avoid information overload – one idea per slide is best.

🎭 5. Visuals and images

• Choose images that are respectful, decolonising, accurate, and culturally appropriate.
• If discussing African or Black communities, use images of Black people.
• Avoid inappropriate or stereotypical internet photos.
• It is best to use images you have taken or created yourself (drawings, photos, diagrams).
• Don’t be shy about using African visuals and cultural representation – they are part of valid, rich academic storytelling.
• Ask the organisers for the conference logo, official images, and theme colours or branding to include in your slides – it helps align your presentation with the event.

👍🏿 6. Presenting with confidence

• Anticipate questions and be ready with answers.
• Stay calm if technology fails – have a backup like a PDF or printed handout.
• Smile and connect with your audience – your presence matters.
• Dress appropriately for your setting – it shows respect for your work and the audience.
• Try, test or learn the technology used for the presentation beforehand.
• Sit in a space or room without noise or distractions.
• Have a good internet connection.
• It is good practice to keep your video on while presenting.

CHAIRING GUIDE

• • Prioritise African names by practicing pronunciation thoroughly ahead of the event.
  • Practice speaker names diligently to say people’s names correctly, or at least try, instead of avoiding them.
  • Practice your chairing beforehand to ensure smooth transitions and confident delivery.
  • Check speaker availability with the facilitator to confirm if any presenter is missing.

• • Introduce all speakers together at the start of the session.
  • Position your speakers by asking them to come to the front if live, or turn their videos on if online.
  • Notify available time clearly to each speaker before they begin presenting.
  • Use a timer during the presentations to maintain strict scheduling.
  • Signal the midpoint of the allocated time to keep speakers paced.
  • Give a 2-minute warning as they approach the end of their slot.
  • Stop the speaker immediately if they exceed their time limit by 2 minutes. [1]

• • Invite question time from the audience as soon as the presentation finishes.
  • Ensure each speaker is asked a question to make them feel valued.
  • Ask a question yourself if the audience remains silent, ensuring no speaker is left out.

• Provide one key lesson from each speaker at the end, limiting it to exactly one key point.
• Thank all speakers and participants for their time and contributions.
• Hand over control of the floor back to the facilitator.

The current program will be put below when available

FINAL PROGRAM daccs 2026

PROGRAMME_DACC25_Final (pdf)

PROGRAMME_DACC25_Final (Docx)