Cancellation of SWESD2020 Conference to be held in Rimini, Italy.

Cancellation of SWESD2020 Conference to be held in Rimini, Italy.

The SWESD2020 Organising Committee, together with its main partners, The International Association of Schools of Social Work and the International Council on Social Welfare, announces the cancellation of the SWESD2020 Conference to be held in Rimini, Italy.

The Organising Partners and hosts have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 global pandemic. As this global crisis continues to unfold, it is vitally important that we do everything we can to keep everyone safe and slow the spread of the virus. In March 2020, after analyzing the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and following the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and health authorities in Italy, we made the forced decision to postpone temporary the conference to November, to protect the health and well-being of all involved.

Once again, we have had to reassess the global situation and have concluded that we must cancel the November conference.  This forced and necessary decision has been extremely difficult, a result of wide consultation and discussion. We have reviewed several alternative options and determined that further postponement is not viable.   Also, general restrictions on domestic and international travel and the need for social distancing and isolation all contributed to a forced and necessary decision.  It is critical that we consider the health and safety of all, do not put anyone at further risk or contribute in anyway to the further spread of the virus.

This was a difficult but absolute necessary decision. Our first priority will always be the health and safety of all involved.