We humans, homo sapiens sapiens, the last surviving species of the hominin family, are unique animals with the ability through our scientific technologies to either destroy ourselves or co-create a more sustainable and equitable world, for ourselves and all life on the planet. Today, as most of us are increasingly aware, humanity is facing a convergence of largely human-caused, interrelated challenges; all global survival threats (GSTs) that could end our existence. These include climate change; loss of biodiversity, pandemic; overpopulation; preparations for war and terror; and disconnection from other humans, other life forms, and the ecosystems that support all life on Earth. In this 90 minute workshop we will look at the ethical response-ability that we social workers have to respond to the GSTs that threaten not only human life, but many other species of life on Earth. We will examine the interrelationships between GST’s and human depression and anxiety, for example, as well as the deep connection between ecological and human wellbeing. We will also spend time learning interventions that we can use to help our clients reconnect with other people, other living things, and with the ecosystems that support all life. These include empowerment work, deep ecology work, and dialogue practice.
David Derezotes, LCSW, PhD
Dr. Dave Derezotes is now part-time Professor in the College of Social Work (CSW) and retired Director of the Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS) Program in the College of Humanities and at the University of Utah (UofU). At the UofU he recently finished his second term as Chair of the Senate Advisory Committee for Diversity (SACD) and his second term as Co-Chair of the University Anti-Racism Committee. As a Professor at the UofU, over a span of a third of a century, he has received many awards in teaching, service, and scholarship.
Since 2016, Dr. Derezotes has served as Community and then “At Large” Host for his "Radical Middle" program on KRCL radio. The “Radical Middle” is a program that seeks to help bridge tensions and identify common positions that people share, across the differences that often divide us, including in politics, religion, culture, ethnicity, and nationality. On the UofU campus, he currently facilitates a number of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) programs. He teaches similar classes for Salt Lake Community College as well as for the UofU Osher program. Dr. Dave also hosts a monthly online social justice series for Utah Humanities that is open to the public and offers a community dialogue about topics related to racial justice, climate change, the health of our democracy, and the elections. With his colleagues, Dr. David Parker and Deb Daniels LCSW, Dr. Derezotes provides EDI trainings for a number of campus units as well as for professional education programs. In addition, Dr. Dave currently co-facilitates dialogues for UofU students every other week, co-sponsored by Peace and Conflict Studies, Bennion Center, and American Indian Resource Center. Dr. Dave has been teaching retirement classes for the UofU Osher program, in which students confront the age-ism in our society and do their own inner work of aging.
Dr. Dave just published his 7th textbook, Inclusive social work practice, which describes strategies that social workers can use to de-corporatize our profession and the university as well as community-based and inclusive strategies to help foster individual and collective transformation, healing, and mental health. Finally, on days when he is not working, Dr. Dave can often be found somewhere in the desert where he loves to wander and wonder in the wild beauties of Utah. May we all appreciate and protect our natural treasures and work to reverse the climate change that threatens the lives of all of our descendants.
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