Single voice for global social work urged

A unified professional voice for social work should be developed at a global level, according to three international organisations representing social work internationally.

The International Association of Schools of Social Work, the International Council on Social Welfare and the International Federation of Social Workers said a single worldwide voice would help social work he heard above a host of other competing interests.

‘While the situation of the world requires more social work unity and engagement, it seems that social work voices are fragmented and our contributions are often not acknowledged,’ the organizations state in a jointly authored consultation document. They added that there was a need ‘to develop clear direction as to how to discuss and elaborate strategies at the international level in order to develop action plans which can seriously influence the setting of an international agenda’.

The consultation on the Global Agenda for Social Work has been developed following the Joint World Conference on Social Work and Social Development in Hong Kong earlier this year, where the intention to devise a common strategy first emerged.

The consultation outlines four key areas as a framework for the first draft of the Global Agenda: social and economic inequalities within countries and between regions; dignity and worth of the person; environmental sustainability; importance of human relationships. The consultation also recommends strengthening links with like-minded organisations and representative groups as well as building capacity and assets.

‘We collectively regret that the field of social work remains marginalised in many countries and in relevant regional and international organisations,’ the document states, stressing the need to engage with local, national, regional and global organisations, such as UN agencies, to influence their work.

‘The challenges which we collectively face are so enormous that there is an overwhelming need for a united voice and solidarity,’ states the consultation, adding that the Joint World Conference was not the end, but the beginning of the process.