CONVENING OVERVIEW
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
When people & ideas meet, something magical happens!
At Grand Challenges for Social Work, we cultivate that magic. We’ve found that when great ideas come together — and when great minds come together to receive them — they become something grander. Ideas become more than possibilities, or promises, or mere changes in perspective. In the minds and lives of everyone who has participated in the Grand Challenges, they become a new vision for the world as it could be.
The 10th anniversary celebration brings together brilliant leaders and thinkers from the field of social work and beyond to discuss the ideas that will shape tomorrow and help us understand today.
Celebrate a decade of GCSW vision & impact! Join us at the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C., for a landmark gathering marking the 10th anniversary of the Grand Challenges for Social Work. This is more than a celebration—it's an intellectual experience. From midday to sundown, you'll engage with bold change-makers, visionary scholars, policy leaders, and on-the-ground innovators in a day of dynamic conversation, critical reflection, and future-focused dialogue. Instead of traditional presentations, the format invites spirited panels, thought-provoking interviews, and interactive forums where diverse perspectives converge. We'll spotlight the urgent challenges facing our society and the people designing solutions that bridge research, practice, and policy. Expect unexpected connections, fresh ideas, and a renewed sense of purpose.
- REGISTER TODAY! January 14, 2026 GCSW Festival of Ideas & Anniversary Dinner
Festival of Ideas | Reception
GCSW FESTIVAL OF IDEAS [11:00 am – 5:00 pm] is designed to share and discuss ideas that shape society and social policy. Hosted by the Grand Challenges for Social Work (GCSW), our purpose is to:
ideas across GCSW networks & all festival participants
This event is highly participatory, and we encourage a significant amount of audience dialogue, participation, inspiration, and aspiration.
NETWORKING RECEPTION & VOICES OF NEXT GENERATION SCHOLARS & PRACTITIONERS: [5:15pm – 6:15pm]: to reflect on the day, meet new colleagues, and transition into the evening celebration. We will conclude the Networking Reception with a 15-minute segment spotlighting the next generation of social work innovators—students, emerging practitioners, and emerging scholars whose work represents the future of the GCSW and society. Through a series of brief, dynamic presentations, these future leaders will share high-potential projects that address pressing social issues with creativity, rigor, and a commitment to justice.
Thanks to our Sponsors!
GCSW Anniversary Dinner
DINNER [6:30pm – 8:00pm]
Join us for a special evening commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Grand Challenges for Social Work—a decade of innovation, collaboration, and shared commitment to using science to drive social progress toward a more socially just, inclusive, and flourishing world.
This milestone dinner will bring our community together to reflect on the day’s most compelling insights and breakthroughs, highlight the collective achievements across our 14 Grand Challenges, and celebrate the extraordinary leadership of our Network Leads whose vision and dedication continue to propel this movement forward.
As we close the evening, guests will be invited into a creative performance that captures the spirit, imagination, and possibility that define the Grand Challenges—offering an inspiring sendoff for the decade ahead.
