The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) is seeking dedicated and knowledgeable individuals to join the National Advisory Committee (NAC) for its new national initiative: Social Work: Building Practice Resilience and Knowledge – Preventing and Addressing Radicalization and Violent Extremism (SW-PRE Project) funded by Public Safety Canada.

About the Project:

The SW-PRE Project aims to equip social workers with evidence-based education, training, and tools to navigate socially and politically complex environments and address radicalization and violent extremism (RVE) at individual, familial, and community levels. In addition, the project prioritizes the well-being of social workers by promoting self and community care and methods to feel sustained in practice.

Role of the National Advisory Committee:

The NAC will serve as a consultative body, providing strategic guidance and expert advice to support the development and implementation of key project deliverables. While the NAC will not be a decision-making body, it will play a vital role in informing and shaping the project’s outcomes in collaboration with the CASW Board and Federation. Participants will receive a $200 honorarium per meeting. 

Key Objectives of the NAC:

  1. Offer ongoing guidance throughout the project, providing strategic input on major deliverables and emerging policy directions.
  2. Advise on educational strategies (e.g. webinars, one-pager briefs) that equip social workers with the knowledge and competencies needed to understand and address the impacts of radicalization and violent extremism on individuals, families, and communities.
  3. Provide guidance on promoting self and community care skills for social workers to prevent burnout, enhance their well-being, and strengthen Canada’s social, health, and mental health workforce.
  4. Support the creation and delivery of training focused on trauma-informed therapeutic and healing practices to help social workers effectively assist clients affected by political persecution, polarization, war, online harm, and more.
  5. Strengthen community and professional networks by advising on approaches to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among social workers and violence prevention practitioners.

Who Should Apply:

We encourage applications from individuals who bring a diversity of experiences, perspectives, and identities. Ideal candidates will have expertise or lived experience in one or more of the following areas:

  • Violence prevention, particularly related to gender-based violence, Indigenous safety, or 2SLGBTQI+ communities
  • Radicalization and violent extremism prevention
  • Trauma-informed care and healing modalities
  • Mental health and community wellness
  • Social justice, human rights, and anti-oppressive practice

We strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as Francophone, Indigenous, gender diverse, 2SLGBTQI+, and/or racialized persons. We also aim for regional diversity, including representation from rural, remote, and urban communities across Canada. Bilingualism (English and French) is considered a strong asset. Candidates do not need to have background knowledge or experience in violent extremism prevention to apply.

Successful candidates will demonstrate a willingness to collaborate in a team environment, engage in respectful dialogue, and compromise when needed to achieve shared goals and support project success. 

Time Commitment:

Members of the National Advisory Committee are expected to:

  • Participate in a minimum of four virtual meetings per year throughout the duration of the project.
  • Be available for additional virtual meetings as needed, depending on project milestones and deliverables.
  • Attend at least one in-person meeting, with all travel expenses covered by CASW.

Members should also be prepared to review key materials between meetings and may be invited to contribute to sub-committees or working groups, based on their interest and expertise.

How to Apply:

Please submit the following by June 19th 2025:

  • Section 1: Application information
  • Section 2: A brief statement of interest (max. 150 words) outlining your relevant experience and motivation to join the NAC
  • Section 3: A summary of your expertise, lived, or living experience in relevant areas of social work practice (max. 150 words)
  • Section 4: A current CV or resume with relevant social work experience

Applications should be submitted through the form below. 

For more information about the project or the NAC, please contact Roshney Kurian at roshney.kurian@casw-acts.ca

 

Section 1: Applicant Information
Section 2: Statement of Interest
Please provide a brief statement of interest (max. 150 words) outlining your relevant experience and motivation to join CASW's SW-PRE National Advisory Committee.
Section 3: Summary of Applicant's Expertise, Lived & Living Experience
Please describe in further detail your relevant expertise, lived or living experience in the above mentioned areas of social work practice (150 words max.).
Section 4: Resume or CV
Files must be less than 7 MB.
Allowed file types: gif jpg jpeg png txt rtf html pdf doc docx odt ppt pptx odp xls xlsx ods xml.