Eco-social Justice: issues, challenges and ways forward: voices from De Novo '11

Abstract

The struggle to achieve social justice has long been a core concern for social work, community development and other approaches to ensure human well-being. However, confronted with a global environment crisis, a focus on social justice alone may not be sufficient for ensuring a sustainable future for human beings and for the planet we inhabit. Based on the experience of social justice work, coupled with a deep understanding of, and concern for, the natural environment, an eco-social approach challenges us to develop ways of working that recognise humans' interdependence upon the non-human world and which seek justice for both people and the planet.

This selection of papers drawn from the De Novo '11 conference on eco-social justice provides an opportunity to generate dialogue and open discussions on what such an eco-social orientation might entail. From pedagogy to practice, the authors in this volume provide examples of both the issues confronting workers at the frontline of eco-social practice and begin an exploration into how such practice might contribute to the development of a more sustainable future.