Students holding certificates during the observance of the National Social Work Week at the North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research in Chümoukedima on August 22.
DIMAPUR — The North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR), Peace Centre, Chümoukedima, observed the 7th National Social Work Week 2026 from August 15 to the 22nd on the theme “Social work: Strengthening minds, strengthening families”.
According to a press release, the week-long observance brought together students, faculty members, and various student bodies through a series of academic, creative, awareness, and digital activities aimed at highlighting the relevance of professional social work in addressing contemporary social concerns.
The observance commenced on August 15 with the celebration of the 80th Independence Day of India, organised by the Students Council for Social Change (SCSC) and the National Service Scheme (NSS), NEISSR.
The programme focused on youth power, responsible citizenship, peace, and nation-building. In his message, Rev. Dr. Fr. CP Anto, Principal of NEISSR, called upon young people to become professionals with competence, citizens with conscience, and leaders with compassion.
He highlighted the responsibilities of social workers and peacebuilders in addressing poverty, discrimination, violence, substance abuse, exploitation, and exclusion, while also noting the importance of preserving the cultural heritage of the Northeast and protecting the environment.
The Independence Day programme also featured an address on “Youth power for a developed India” by Daislinung Sebastian Kamsuan, Assistant Professor at NEISSR, who encouraged young people to transform freedom into progress through education, skills, entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, employment, and social responsibility.
On August 17 and 18, Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) fifth-semester students organised an Instagram reel-making activity on mental health, using digital media to promote awareness, empathy, emotional well-being, and responsible help-seeking. Students used short-form digital content to communicate mental health messages and challenge stigma and misconceptions. The activity also provided practical exposure to digital communication, creativity, message development, and social advocacy.
On August 19, the Red Ribbon Club and NSS unit of NEISSR organised a poster-making competition on the theme “End the stigma: HIV does not define a person”.
On August 20, BSW fifth-semester students conducted an interactive discussion on family relationships entitled “The digital divide in the living room”.
The discussion examined how smartphones, social media, and digital entertainment are influencing communication and emotional interaction within families.
On August 21, the Media Club of NEISSR conducted a digital poster campaign carrying the message “There is no shame in seeking mental health support – Talk It out”. The concluding activities on August 22 included a debate competition and an essay writing competition, organised by the SCSC, Red Ribbon Club, and NSS of NEISSR.
The essay writing competition was conducted for Master of Social Work (MSW) students on the theme “Women and the invisible emotional burden of family life”. The competition encouraged students to critically examine gender roles, caregiving, emotional labour, family expectations, social norms, and women's well-being from a social work perspective.