IASSW UN Representation at Bangkok

World Social Work Day – UN Bangkok, 2021

16 March 2021

World Social Work Day was celebrated in Asia by the International Association of School of Social Work, in collaboration with multiple parties including Thammasat University, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security through the Department of Social Development and Welfare, Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, and also with the support of International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), and International Council on Social Work (ICSW).

The 2021 World Social Work Day highlights Ubuntu: I am Because We Are. This is also the theme of the 2020 to 2030 Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development. Ubuntu: I am Because We Are – Strengthening Social Solidarity and Global Connectedness. Ubuntu: ‘I am because we are’ is a concept and philosophy that resonates with the social work perspective of the interconnectedness of all peoples and their environments. It speaks to the need for global solidarity and also highlights indigenous knowledge and wisdom

The celebration aimed to highlight the achievements of social work, to raise the visibility of social services for the future of societies, and to defend social justice and human rights. World Social Work Day celebration has become a highpoint in the social work calendar with social workers all over the world and in the Asia Pacific, celebrating and promoting the contributions of the profession to individuals, families, communities and wider society. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was conducted virtually, and representatives of the United Nations UNICEF, as well as Professor TAN, Ngoh Tiong, who represented IASSW as one of the keynote speakers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

World Social Work Day Forum on International Social Work, ISWED2021 Online Conference organized by IASSW and ICSW in collaboration with Global Institute of Social Work

Riding on the Online International Social Work and Development Online Conference 2021, the focus of this forum was to showcase social work presence in the international arena, especially in the offices of the United Nations. At this Forum the co-chairs moderated the presentations from Social Work representatives to United Nations in New York, Geneva, Bangkok and Nairobi and their contribution in advancing international social work. The highlights of the presentations included advocacy, human rights and SDGs. This session was sponsored by the Global Institute of Social Work.

The Programme:

Co-chairs introduced the Forum:  Dr Lena Dominelli, Professor, Stirling University, Past President IASSW. & Dr TAN Ngoh Tiong, Professor, S R Nathan School of Human Development, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Treasurer, IASSW and Chair, Global Institute of Social Work.

Welcome to WSWD: Prof Anna Maria Capanini and Dr Suh, Sang-mok, President, IASSW and President, ICSW

Speakers: 

  1. Prof Lynne Healy – International Social Work Advocacy at UN, NYP, ProfessorLynne M. Healy, Ph.D, Main Representative to the UN, International Association of Schools of Social Work, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor Emerita University of Connecticut School of Social Work, USA
  2.    ProfAnne Lavanchy: International SW – Being Present Though Remote, Professor Anne Lavanchy holds a PhD in Anthropology. Her main research interests cover multiple structural discrimination, gender and race relations, indigeneity and affects. She served as lecturer, invited professor or guest researcher at several universities in Switzerland, Chile and the United Kingdom, she is Professor at the Faculty of Social Work – Geneva, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland.
  3. Asst Prof Puchong Senanuch – Human Rights, Workers, migrants, Children and Women’s Rights, Dr Puchong Senanuch, Associate Dean, Academic & International Affairs, Director, B.A Social Policy & Development (International Program) at Thammasat University.
  4. Dr Jongman, Kgomotso – International SW: Advancing SDG Goals and Role of SW in Africa, Dr. Kgomotso Jongman, President of ASSWA, Member- Botswana National Association of Social Workers

Submitted by: Prof TAN, Ngoh Tiong, Puchong Senanuch, Rapeeporn  and Zulkainan Hatta, UN Bangkok Team

2 June 2021