Publications:
  Journals
  Proceedings 2005

2004 Conference
  Conference Overview
  Keynote Address
  Presentations & Workshops

2003 Conference
  Keynote
  Workshops
  Presentations

2002 Conference
  Workshops / Presentations

  Related Websites

Note: New Name
The name of Canadian Association for Spirituality and Social Work
has been changed to the Canadian Society for Spirituality and Social Work
The reason for this is to differentiate our acronym (CSSSW) from that of the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work (CASSW).

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First North American Conference on Spirituality and Social Work:
A joint international conference of the Canadian Society for Spirituality
 and Social Work and the Society for Spirtuality and Social Work (USA).

There is a need for Canadian academics and social work practitioners to come together to discuss the topic of spirituality and social work practice. Issues related to spirituality and social work in Canada will be expressed differently from the American scene as our history is different, we seem less concerned about the separation of church and state and there is stronger emphasis on social change and political action . Despite significant gains in recent years, the Canadian literature on the topic of spirituality and social work, and more generally the literature on spirituality and the helping professions, merits further development. This conference and website contribute to Canadian research and scholarship, and to the creation of a Canadian forum focussing on spirituality and social work.

Since the inaugural confernence in 2002, the four Annual Canadian Conferences on Spirituality and Social Work have taken place in various cities in Canada.  We hope to have the 2006 conference at Renison College in Waterloo, Ontario (May 25-27). The location and dates are chosen to preceed the annual conference of the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work which is taking place at York University (Toronto) immediately following ours.  Toronto is an hour's drive from Waterloo.

Several publications have arisen as a direct result of these conferences.  The journal publications and proceedings can be accessed directly from this website (go to Publications in the sidebar).

The Canadian Association for Spirituality and Social Work also has a list serve which is used to distribute information about spirituality and social work to scholars, practitioners and researchers.  Those who wish to distribute items of interest (such as notices of conferences or positions, reviews, opinion pieces, enquiries, ...) or if you wish to be included in this list serve, please foward the information or e-mail address to Dr. John Coates <jcoates@stu.ca>.

Plans are underway for the 2006 Conference to be the First North American Conference on Spirituality and Social Work, a joint conference of the Canadian Society for Spirituality and Social Work and the Society for Spirituality and Social Work in the United States.  The web site will be updated as plans unfold for our first jointly sponsored, international conference. The conference will bring together academics, researchers, graduate students and social work practitioners from across North America and abroad, and will enrich and advance dialogue and scholarship in the area of spirituality and social work. 

The conferences and website have been supported by several groups including the Canadian Associaton of Schools of Social Work and several of its member schools, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and St. Thomas University.

This web-site is one of the vehicles through which Canadian dialogue and scholarship related to spirituality and the helping professions can be developed.