Unequal impact – The links between environment racism and climate change

We will examine connections between those who profit from racism and those who profit from the destruction of the world's natural resources. About this event: The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) theme for World Social Work Day 2022 is Co-building a New Eco-Social World - Leaving No One Behind. The theme reflects a vision of new global values, policies and practices that develop trust, security and confidence for all people around the world – as well as the sustainability of the planet. World Social Work Day 2022 will be a highlight opportunity for the social work profession to engage all our networks and the community we work within to make contributions to the values and principles which enable all people to have their dignity respected through shared futures. The Tavistock and Portman and The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) are proud to stand together with social workers across to the world to mark World Social Work Day, which falls on Tuesday 15 March 2022. This lunchtime event entitled: ‘Unequal Impact – The links between Environment Racism and Climate Change’ will examine the connections between those who profit from racism, colonialism and exploitation and those who cause and profit from the destruction of the world’s natural resources, from a UK perspective. We will conclude by asking - how do we co-build a new eco-social world where no one is left behind?’ Shantel Thomas, is the Anti-Racism Lead at BASW UK and Course Lead for the MA Social Work programme at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust. Shantel is a qualified social worker, senior academic and doctoral researcher interested in Anti-Racist Leadership in Social Work. Her role involves working collaboratively with members, colleagues and senior stakeholders to support the delivery of BASW’s equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy - alongside exploring how anti-racist practice can be developed and implemented across the social work sector. Anna Harvey is a senior lecturer in social work at the Tavistock and Portman. She has taught on the professional doctorate in social work and the MA in Social work for the past six years. She is a children and families social worker who qualified 25 years ago. She worked with homeless people in therapeutic communities in Glasgow for seven years prior to qualifying. Her original degree was in political philosophy and developmental politics and this is where she learned about colonialism and exploitation. She recently became aware of the threat to children and families from ecological and climate disaster and began addressing the issues from a psychosocial position. She is interested in developing the dialogue about climate change within the social work profession in the UK