Ubuntu Digital Platform now live!

Now live, the Ubuntu Digital Platform was developed on the Ushahidi platform, a knowledge crowd sourcing application developed in Kenya. The platform is a dedicated website that contains, in an engaging interactive manner, videos, lectures, photographs, audios, illustrations, stories and other resources. The project was launched by Professor Antoinette Lombard (IASSW President) during the Day of the African Child Students Conference (online) in 2024 and since then the team has worked tirelessly to create and upload resources on the platform. There are currently 481 resources ranging from interviews, discussions, theories, proverbs and directory entries.

Details of the Project and Project Team

Funded by the IASSW, the project has designed and developed an Ubuntu-inspired virtual learning and teaching platform with multiple digital resources. Why is this important? There is evidence that the philosophy of Ubuntu can play a huge role in transforming and decolonising social work learning, teaching and practice. Ubuntu was one of the themes of the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development 2020 to 2030 whose theme for 2020-2022 was ‘Ubuntu: Strengthening Social Solidarity and Global Connectedness´. The Agenda was set by the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), and the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW). This was an important development, however, there have been inadequate resources to illustrate how Ubuntu is being applied or can be applied in social work learning, teaching and practice, hence this project.