The Department of Social Work, Eliezer Joldan Memorial (EJM) College, Leh, convened a two-day National Conference on ‘Towards Inclusive Futures: Dialogue and Collective Action’ on September 10. Funded by PM-USHA and supported by the IQAC, EJM College, the conference is being held on September 10–11, 2026.

The conference has brought together 135 participants from 46 institutions and organisations across 18 States and UTs, including Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Ladakh, Karnataka and Kerala. Participants include academicians, researchers, social work professionals, students, research scholars and representatives from civil society.

Institutions represented at the conference include the University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Millia Islamia, NIMHANS Bengaluru, University of Kashmir, AIIMS Bhubaneswar and the University of Ladakh, among others. The conference also features interdisciplinary participation from fields including Sociology, Law, Public Policy, Mental Health, Disability Studies and Environmental Studies.

Prof. (Dr.) Saket Kushwaha, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ladakh, graced the inaugural session as the Chief Guest, while Prof. Tsewang Mutup, DCDC, University of Ladakh, was the Guest of Honour. Prof. Gandhidoss, President, INPSWA, and Dr. Bhat Iqbal Majeed, General Secretary, PSWAJK, also addressed the gathering.

Dr. Yangchan Dolma, Organising Secretary, introduced the conference and released the TIF Abstract Book. She emphasised the need to move beyond dialogue towards collaboration and collective action to advance inclusion.

The conference covers key themes including mental health, climate change, gender, education, women’s entrepreneurship, governance and issues concerning vulnerable groups. The programme includes technical sessions, symposiums and panel discussions, with focused panels on child rights and mental health and well-being.

A key feature of the conference is its emphasis on connecting academic research with field practice while providing students and young researchers a platform to present their papers and engage with experts from diverse fields.
The event is being organised by the Department of Social Work, EJM College, with support from PM-USHA, IQAC, PSWAJK, INPSWA, HWVO, J&K Bank and PNB.

The conference will continue on September 11 with further sessions aimed at strengthening dialogue on inclusion, equity and sustainable futures.