Biennial Report 2000-2002

Welcome to the Biennial Report of the IFSW for the period 2000 – 2002. This report provides a summary of the work undertaken by the IFSW over the pre-ceding two years. In part it also provides a window into the future, looking at what we seek to achieve in the next period.

As we close the reporting period the IFSW has reached yet another milestone with member organisations in 79 countries, representing more than 500.000 social workers. The work of the IFSW is conducted through our Secretariat in Bern, staffed by two persons and supported by over 80 volunteers in a variety of positions. Many of these individuals have contributed to the preparation of this report.

One individual will be sorely missed at the 2002 General Meeting. In August 2001 our beloved Honorary President and former Secretary General, Andrew Mouravieff-Apostol died at his home in Geneva. Andy, as he was better known, was a source of inspiration for countless social workers and organisations around the world. His prodigious linguistic abilities and passionate commitment to social justice and human rights, together with those of his wife Ellen, enabled many social workers to engage with IFSW. The IFSW will seek to honor Andy with the striking of a medal in his memory.

Significant progress has been achieved in each of the five IFSW regions. The African region has witnessed determined work to expand the membership and to plan for another Pan African Conference in 2003. In Asia and Pacific we saw a highly successful Conference in Singapore, increased membership and expanded regional engagement.

In Europe the IFSW continues to be a strong organisation with a well-established regional framework. Yet again the growth in membership and participation from the Latin American and Caribbean region has been a feature of the past two years.

While North America has only the two organisations in membership between them they represent over one third of the individual social workers in affiliation. The level of active co-operation between these two members continues to grow.

We cannot record the past two years without speaking of our distress and concern about the impact of increasing poverty, discrimination, marginalisation, xenophobia and terrorism. We are of the opinion that these are not unrelated. The IFSW has voiced its opposition to terrorism in all its forms and wherever it occurs. At the same time we continue to call upon all nations to work towards the alleviation of circumstances that give rise to extremist groups and views.

With this in mind the IFSW Human Rights Commission continues to advocate for individuals, groups and communities where human rights are being denied. Casework throughout the period has focused on Phyllis Coard, Carlos Toledo and Otto Alvarado. Our representatives at the United Nations continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the social work experience is included in deliberations of critical importance to our international community. Our Policy portfolio has increased with important documents on Displaced Persons and Globalisation being presented to the 2002 General Meeting.

Ethical practice is fundamental to social work and our Permanent Committee on Ethical Issues has gained ground in preparation for a revision of our Ethical document. Along side of this we are working with the International Association of Schools of Social Work in the development of Global Qualifying Standards for Social Work Education.

Our partnership with IASSW goes well beyond this project and forms a framework to ensure that the voices of practitioners and educators are united and in pursuit of our common goals of social justice. This pursuit of partnership also extends to other key international organisations.

The IFSW has been moving through a period of change over the past 4-6 years. The past 2 years has been marked by a further period of organisational review. This has continued the focus of structural development to better meet the needs of the IFSW and its members.

Our Friends program continues to grow in strength with the important 1000th member mark being passed in 2001.

Finally our secretariat is now well established in Switzerland and we have been able to achieve modest increases in staffing levels although greater levels will be required in order to address the demands.

Sydney/Berne 25 May 2002
Imelda Dodds, President
Tom Johannesen, Secretary General

Officers

President: Imelda Dodds, Australia
Treasurer: Fiona Robertson
Vice-President Africa: Kishore C. Ramgoolam. Mauritius
Vice-President Asia & Pacific: Tan Ngoh Tion, Singapore
Vice-President Europe: Herbert Paulischin, Austria
Vice-President Latina America & Caribbean: Juan Manuel Latorre Carvajal, Colombia
Vice-President North-America: John Mould, Canada

Members at large

Brian Auslander, Israel
Buster Curson, New Zealand
Monica Egan, Ireland
David N. Jones, United Kingdom
Patricia B. Luna, Philippines
Valdete de Barros Martins, Brazil
Josphat M. Mathe, Zimbabwe
Charles Mbugua, Kenya
Terry Mizrahi, USA
Anne Worning, Denmark

Honorary President:

Andrew Mouravieff-Apostol, Switzerland (until 2001)

Secretary General:

Tom Johannesen

Two Executive and two Officers Meetings have been held since the General Meeting in Montreal. A further Executive Meeting will be held imme-diately before the General Meeting in Geneva.

Montreal 29 July 2000

This meeting, always convened immediately after the General Meeting, is the first of the new Executive Committee. This also marked the change of President, Elis Envall having concluded 6 very productive and important years. The meeting designated Convenors and members for the various committees and established a work plan for the 2-year period. John Mould was elected First Vice President. The meeting approved the plan to commemorate the life of Dr Celia B Weisman with a plaque and memorial lecture. The meeting also directed the Structure and Operations Committee to follow up issues which emerged through the General Meeting. The IFSW repre-sentatives to the IFSW/IASSW Joint Planning Committee were confirmed and a report from the Conference Committee in regard to the 2002 Conference in Harare was received.

Berne January 2001

This 3-day meeting of the Officers also included the inauguration of a plaque in Memory of Dr. Celia B Weisman. The Officers Meeting is not a decision making body. Its function is to review the work of the Federation and ensure that plans are on target. It may consider major matters and make recommendations to the Executive Committee for a formal decision.
The IFSW Action Plan was reviewed with specific emphasis upon key issues. A major focus of this meeting was a report on the preparations for the 2002 conference in Harare. The outcome was to continue with preparations however to put in place the necessary support structures and to review the situation at the Singapore Executive Meeting. The other major item related to proposed constitutional change. A draft discussion paper was considered and recommended to the Executive Committee for distribution to all member organisations.

Singapore July 2001

The Singapore Association of Social Workers in conjunction with the Asia & Pacific Regional Conference hosted the Singapore Meeting. The most challenging matter discussed was the 2002 conference due to be held in Zimbabwe. After lengthy debate and consideration the Executive Committee voted with deep regret to cancel the 2002 Conference and transfer the General Meeting to Geneva. The report on the World Conference in Montreal 2000 was also presented along with preparation for the 2004 Conference in Adelaide. The Executive Committee recorded its concern that Conferences be viable and not place member organisations in financial or other jeopardy. A bid from Germany for the 2006 Conference was received.
The meeting also discussed at length the outcomes of the membership survey on proposed constitutional changes. It voted in support of a series of proposals and instructed the President and the Structure and Operations Committee to seek further legal advice and prepare a paper for final dissemination.
The revised document Social Work and the Rights of the Child was presented and a plan for completion and publication adopted. Preparation for the UN Special Session on Children was also discussed, as was the World Conference Against Racism.

Rorschach, Switzerland, January 2002

The Officers Meeting focused on a number of key areas including draft policy statements on Displaced Persons; Globalisation and the En-vironment. It was agreed that the statement on environment should be incorporated into the globalisation policy. The Convenor of the Permanent Committee on Ethics addressed the meeting on the work ahead. The final touches to the Strategic Directions process were also addressed. Preliminary dis-cussions about a new approach to joint Conferences were also canvassed ahead of the next Executive Meeting.

At the conclusion of the General Meeting in Montreal 2000, national social work organisations in 77 countries were in membership.

New members

Since then, the Association of Social Workers, Bangladesh, the Japan Psychiatric Social Workers’ Association and the Moroccan Association of Social Workers have been admitted as full members through postal ballots, and the number of individual members in the member organizations has passed 500.000.

Provitional membership

6 organisations from the following countries are in provisional membership with assessments to be presented to the General Meeting in Geneva: Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mongolia and South Africa.
An application for membership from Turkey is pending further clarification.
In addition to this application, we are in communication with other organisations that have shown interest in affiliating with IFSW.

Sub-Committee on Membership

Membership has completed its work on guidelines for admission, the formation of coordinating bodies and mechanisms for consultation and feedback involving the regional Vice Presidents and the Secretariat. The proposed changes to the IFSW Constitution and By-laws reflect this work. The review of the questionnaire on applications for membership will be completed after the General Meeting has addressed the constitutional changes.
An overall goal regarding membership is to seek clarification of expectations and obligations from both parties (member organisations and IFSW). The level of involvement of member organisations in international social work activities vary widely and often reflects the difficulties some organisations experience in funding participation at meetings and conferences. It remains a problem for IFSW that our annual membership que-stionnaire is not responded to by all members. For this year alone, 24 member organisations have not responded despite several reminders. To a large degree, the same organisations are not participating in any activities and often also not paying membership fees. The problem represented by this passive membership will need to be addressed in the time to come, and it is hoped that more active regional involvement can be a way forward to ensure that the total membership is active.

65 % growth over 15 years

While IFSW membership has grown over the last 15 years by 65 %, we need to consolidate our position by continue to be open for new appli-cations but must also make serious efforts to ensure that IFSW still is relevant in the new century for present member organisations and thereby the social workers they represent.

The financial situation of IFSW is causing con-cern. Both total and membership income and expenses continue to grow. Following a number of years profit, in years 1999 and 2000 the Federation recorded losses (more than 42,000 Swiss Francs in 1999 and more than 32,000 in 2000) and had to reduce funds to reach a balance. (The accounts for 2001 are not finalised at the time of writing).
We can only continue this for a limited time, and there is an urgent need to regain a profit position. There are as always two ways to do this, increase income and decrease spending. We may need to do both.

Lack of payment of membership dues

The current situation is largely caused by lack of payment of membership dues, by increased costs for meetings, lack of income from world conferences (the two last world conferences were not able to meet financial obligations), and by administrative costs.

A very limited budget

We are operating a global body at a very limited budget of less than 400,000 Swiss Francs (appr. 250,000 US Dollars) and trying to meet a number of expectations from around the world. Volunteers cover many of their own expenses, and the Secretariat is not adequately compensated for the number of hours worked.
We will need to carefully assess our financial position and seek new ways of handling revenue and expenses in the coming years.

Africa

The African region is still struggling to assert itself as an entity within the IFSW. The cancellation of the World Conference on Social Work in Zim-babwe has to some extent affected the region. This has been overcome now and all efforts are being made to strengthen the region. More social worker associations from Africa are con-templating to join the Federation.

Regional Structure and Links
The structure of the region - as agreed at the Regional conference in Nairobi in 1999 - could not be implemented. But contact is regularly maintained with the Vice-President, Members-at-Large, Human Rights Commissioner and the African member in the Permanent Committee on Ethical Issues. The associations are regularly kept informed of relevant issues.
Preliminary contacts have been established with the African Union- formerly OAU. Observer Status cannot be granted to IFSW Africa Region because of technical problems, but a memorandum of understanding between the IFSW African Region and the African Union can be agreed upon.
Links are also being established with the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Habitat Office.

African Journal of Social Work
The Journal is published in cooperation with IFSW and NASW-Zimbabwe with financial support of the LO/FTF Council, Denmark. Two issues have already been published. It is hoped that the journal will be produced yearly and serve as a forum for exchange of ideas, and assist in strengthening the African region.

Membership
The Social Worker Association of Morocco has been officially admitted as member of IFSW . The social worker associations of Namibia and Tunisia are in the process of applying for membership. Membership information packages have also been sent to organisations of social workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Seychelles, Madagascar and Mozambique.
The provisional membership of South Africa, Interim Committee for Social Workers' Associations, has received much attention. During a stay in Durban, the Vice President for Africa met with several members. The Interim Committee is in the process of resolving their internal differences in order to attain full membership to IFSW, after satisfying the requirements. Provisional membership cannot be extended because of the Constitutional pro-visions.

Regional Conference
The 6th Pan African Regional Conference on Social Work is being planned for 2003 in Lesotho. The African Executive members supported by Nigel Hall are in touch with Lesotho Social Work Association for this purpose.

Future Activites
The African Region wishes to continue to work for the consolidation of the Region, to organise exchange programmes among African social workers&Mac226; associations and with foreign partners, to have a permanent Secretariat for the region, subject to the availability of funds, and set up the regional structure as decided.

Asia & Pacific

Introduction
We believe there will be an increasing role for social work in Asia & Pacific. There is great diversity in culture from the West and Central Asia and the Middle East to South and East Asia and the Pacific. The challenge is to grow in relevance in our various social political contexts.

Regional Conference and Social Work Leadership Workshop
A Regional Conference was successfully orga-nised in Singapore from 31 July to 3 August 2001. Our appreciation goes to the Singapore Association of Social Workers for hosting the Executive Meeting prior to the conference.
In conjunction with the Regional Conference a Social Work Leadership Workshop was organised in co-operation with the Family Resource and Training Centre, Singapore. Topics covered in-cluded constitutional matters, registration, licensing, training and development of social workers and professional associations. There were presentations by the various social work associations seeking to further develop social work organisations in our region.
A total of 51 participants attended the workshop together with 9 presenters/facilitators. Countries that participated included Australia, Fiji, India, Japan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, New Zealand, People’s Republic of China, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Feedback showed that the participants found the sessions useful and informative. It was also a good opportunity for networking and learning from each other.
Preparation is well underway for the 17th Asia Pacific Conference in Social Work to be held in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. Scheduled for 7-12th July 2003, this conference promises to be a platform for social workers in the region to rally for social justice and social change. It is hoped that there will be greater interpro-fessional co-operation and various interest groups would find a forum to sharpen social work practice and social development. It will also be appropriate, meeting in the historic city of Nagasaki, to reflect on the peace process and specifically social work's contribution to peacemaking.
Several organisations have expressed interest to host the 2005 Conference. A decision will be made in Geneva this July.

Member Development
In the past year the regional Vice-President traveled to Kuwait and met up with colleagues in the Middle East. They have been active in defining social work and its role in social reconstruction. Meeting with colleagues in China has opened our eyes to the immense potential of contribution of social work, social development and community organisation. In discussing plans for the 2003 Conference it became clear that Japan, as a country more advanced in social work, has much to contribute to social work in many countries of our region. Of course, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Korea and Singapore being more developed nations necessary must provide greater leadership and support to surrounding countries.
It is heartening to see both the Mongolian and Kyrgyz Associations of Social Work taking concrete initiatives in strengthening social work through training and professional development. We have just voted to admit Bangladesh as a new member of IFSW and are exploring membership with Indonesia, Fiji and Vietnam. The Singapore International Foundation has engaged to provide training in social work for social welfare officers in Myanmar. They have expressed interest in forming a national social worker’s association and link with IFSW.

Future Development and Contribution
IFSW will actively promote social work through participation with various potential member countries in our region. We hope social work can contribute to the development in East Timor.
Social workers in cooperation with others must take a focus in building capacities for human and community development.

Europe

The European region has a long tradition of cooperation and regular activities. Having most member organisations (34) and most social workers (163.000) of all regions, there is also a well-established system of Delegates Meetings (regional General Meetings), local membership fees and a regional Executive meeting regularly.

European Secretariat
A European Secretariat function is also in operation, and despite some transitional difficulties after the resignation of Niels Hjelm Veirup from Denmark in 2001. It is now being reestablished with Ana Radulescu from Romania. As a long-term goal, but really with an immediate need, is the funding of paid support staff. A regional newsletter, the EuroSocialworker is published. The region is also involved with the global secretariat to expand coverage of its activities at the IFSW web site.

European Seminars
A European Seminar was arranged in Vienna, Austria and Bratislava, Slovakia Republic in August 2001, for the second time with responsibility shared between two countries.

Delegates' Meetings
Two delegates meetings have been arranged, in Vienna 24 - 25 August 2001 and in Nicosia, Cyprus 21 - 23 March 2002.

Policy Platform
Some of the main activities in the period have been the further development of a Policy Platform (with special focus on Children, Homelessness and User Involvement), ongoing refinement of a Work Program and deliberations on a new structure for the region, also due to the proposed changes in the structure of IFSW global.

"The Changing Role of the Social Worker"
A discussion document on "The Changing Role of the Social Worker", written by Malcolm Payne was presented at the meeting in Cyprus and will be subject for further consultation.

Mutual Recognition of Diplomas
Mutual Recognition of Diplomas is an area of a special concern, not least because of the increased possibilities to seek work in other European countries and the expected dramatic enlargement of the European Union from 15 to maybe 28 countries. An accreditation system for European schools of social work in cooperation with the European Association of Schools of Social Work forms another part of the efforts to influence social work education and practice.

EU Liaison Committee
A special Liaison Committee with the European Union is in operation, and the region has an established system of ongoing accreditation to the Council of Europe, the latter along the lines of the representation we have to the United Nations.

Social Work Students' Gatherings
The European region is seeking to involve social work students more than before following a successful gathering linked to the regional seminar in Helsinki and St. Petersburg in 1999. A student conference is planned for the next European Seminar in Copenhagen Denmark. This will be held 26- 29 May 2003 and is titled "Social Work in Future Europe". The 2005 European Seminar is scheduled for Cyprus.

Social Work Action Day
A Social Work Action Day is an annual event, aiming at increasing the visibility of the social work profession.

Latin-America & Caribean

The IFSW was represented at two conferences in the region in 2001. One in Santiago de Cuba, where the regional Vice-President participated together with the IFSW President and the IFSW Secretary General. The other reunion where IFSW was present was at a meeting of a number of Latin-American social worker organisations in Paraguay. For the year 2002 there are for the time being no plans for any regional meetings.
At present there are 10 IFSW members in Latin America and the Caribbean, but due to financial challenges and a difficult topography it is difficult to meet. The organisations have therefore expressed a wish to continue with their annual national meetings, and maybe later on there can be more co-operation over the boundaries.

World-wide Human Rights campaigns
However, as in many other parts of the world, the development of internet and communication by e-mail have facilitated contacts and exchange of ideas among social workers and social work organisations, both within the region and with the rest of the world.
One of the many areas where this has been seen very clearly is Human Rights. And a good example is the world-wide campaign initiated by Colombia for the two social workers in Guatemala, Carlos Toledo and Otto Alvarado.

Sub-regions
Another way the region has tried to meet the challenges of long distance and high costs of travelling is by dividing the contintent into sub-regions. Conosur (southern South-America), the Andes and Central-America and the Caribbean. One example of a successful engagement and gathering in Conosur was during the Porto Alegre Social Summit early 2002.

Regional Code of Ethics
Some organisations are at present working on a Code of Ethics for the region and some have also strong opinions about the new Definition of Social Work that was decided in Montreal. These organisations have been encouraged to and also promised to present their views at the IFSW General Meeting in July 2002.
The region has been involved in the work to develop a new constitution for IFSW and in the development of a draft to a policy statement on displaced persons. Social workers in the region have also contributed with articles to the IFSW Publication " Social Work around the World II".

Fees
The hard economic times in the region has contributed to the fact that many of the member organisations have not been able to pay their membership fees to the Federation. The Vice-President has therefore tried to obtain information about the finances of the member organisations and developed a plan together with the IFSW Finance Committee on sustainable solutions. Many of the organisations have now responded, paid or are about to settle their fees. But still some cases need to be solved.

North-America

This reporting period has been marked by two particular events in North America: the World Conference in Montreal from 29 July – 2 August 2000, and the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, on 11 September 2001.
The World Conference of IFSW and IASSW was, by all accounts, a success. The conference content was excellent and the host city lived up to its reputation as an exciting cosmopolitan setting. The only cautionary note was that the conference did not make money.
Everyone is aware of the events of September 11th. While the world heard most about the police and fire personnel who responded to the devastation caused by the destruction of the twin World Trade towers, it’s important to know that social workers were also at Ground Zero, working with all those who were doing whatever they could to help the injured, and to bring some order to the chaos; and that social workers across North America provided countless hours of support, reassurance and counseling to the many people who responded to the attacks with disbelief and fear.

Canada

Over a period of five years, the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) and partners have made a study of the social services sector in Canada. That work was completed in the second half of 2000. The study provides a detailed statistical analysis of the sector, and identifies a range of challenges facing social work.
In 2001, CASW hosted a gathering of social workers from across Canada to talk about the current issues that face the profession, to identify priority areas for action, and to discuss potential strategies to address the priorities. As part of the process, three papers were commissioned: social work education, social work regulation and social work practice.
In 2000, CASW undertook a major piece of work with the launching of a national Child Welfare Project with two intended outcomes: to amplify the voices of social workers in front-line child welfare services and to identify strategies to influence change.
A significant international development has been the joint decision of Canada and USA to build a closer working relationship between the two organisations.

USA

The last two years have been devoted to rebuilding and strengthening NASW’s leadership in the international arena including becoming more visible on international issues, relating more closely with the IFSW UN Team, and building closer connections with the Canadian Association of Social Workers. Of course, September 11 changed the whole view of the way the US and NASW conceptualised their relationship to and work with other countries and their professional associations. International has to become a context for social work practice as we realise the interconnectedness to the rest of the world.
NASW has restored the staffing and appointed new leadership of its International (Activities) Committee. Among its initiatives will be an on-line newsletter, a database of social workers interested or involved in international activities, and influencing US policies related to the UN and other international issues. It will also develop programs and material that showcase the experience, talents and resources of social workers that are making a contribution to the international arena. Additionally, it will expand its network and encourage the development or strengthening of International Chapters in the 50 States.
Working with the International Committee and staff and other IFSW connected social work leaders, the President has highlighted and advanced IFSW and International issues. The goal is to have an international focus more visible to members on the website and in the news.
In early February 2002, NASW launched its revitalised International Program by hosting a meeting on exploring Social Work’s International Role. About 50 social work leaders gathered at the national office in Washington, DC for a day-long series of presentations and discussions.

Web-based information expanded

A major development in the period has been the expansion of the IFSW web page. Increasingly, statements and documents are posted here to increase access to international social work not only for membership, but beyond. The web page is set to become the most important vehicle for information about IFSW, as the Newsletter was before. The IFSW Update is now completely web-based on the web with monthly editions. As for other important information, affiliates receive emailed notices when a new product is included.

IFSW Newsletter

The ifsw news has continued to be issued three times a year. Since the last General Meeting six editions have been distributed. The Newsletter is distributed widely throughout the world and continues to be IFSW’s most known publication.
In addition, regional newsletters and journals have continued to be published in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Europe.

International Social Work Journal

The journal, published by Sage Publications on behalf of IFSW, IASSW and ICSW, continues to be our main scientific publication. Arabic abstracts have been introduced in addition to Chinese, English, French and Spanish. Frank Turner in Canada is Editor-in- Chief.

Sub-Committee on Editorial and Publications

The Committee, headed by Tan Ngoh Tiong in Singapore, launched the first edition of the book series "Social Work Around the World" at the World Conference in Montreal in 2000. A second book in the series is targeted for release at the General Meeting in Geneva. A previous proposal to publish a "Social Work Digest’ has not received much support and will be incorporated in "Social Work Around the World".

Social Work and the Rights of the Child

In January 2002 IFSW released its most com-prehensive publication to date, "Social Work and the Rights of the Child – A Professional Training Manual on the UN Convention". The manual is intended to provide stimulation and guidance to social workers and others who wish to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in their social work practice. Editions in other languages than English are being prepared.

IASSW

The relationship between practitioners and educators goes back to the forerunner of the IFSW, the International Permanent Secretariat of Social Workers, founded in Paris in 1928. Over the past 4 years both organisations have established a process to further strengthen our links.
At the Montreal 2000 World Conference an initial meeting of the Permanent Joint Planning and Action Committee occurred. This was followed in May 2001 by a very successful 2-day meeting in Copenhagen, hosted by the Danish Association of Social Workers.
The direct outcomes of the meeting include the release of a joint statement adopting the new definition of social work. This is a very significant event and sends a clear message to the international community that social work educators and practitioners have consensus on the most fundamental platform of the profession.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to develop a joint statement on World debt which was sent to the leaders of the G8 prior to their meeting in Genoa. Subsequent joint statements have addressed the response to terrorism and September 11.
Our respective Human Rights Commissions have already established a good working re-lationship and we have agreement to work together on policy initiatives and look at mutual work in the field of Ethics.
The IFSW is also co-operating in the project to identify Global Qualifying Standards of social work education.
The close co-operation continues with preparations for the new global conference in Adelaide 2004. Initial meetings were held in Canberra in March 2002 and paved the way for a successful, co-operative partnership.

ICSW

It is with regret that we must report that our attempts to link with the incoming President of ICSW have not been successful. This is an important organisation and we will continue whenever and wherever we can to re-establish functional links. The recent appointment of the CEO may provide an opportunity for further cooperation.

Social Work in Health & Mental Health Conferences

The development of practice specific conferences has been significant over the past decade. The World Conferences on Social Work in Health & Mental Health commenced in Jerusalem in 1995 followed by Melbourne in 1998 and Tampere in 2001. The IFSW has leant its support to the organising group through promotion of the conferences and also via our presence as appropriate. The next conference will be in Quebec City in 2004.

Commonwealth Organisation of Social Work

The Commonwealth Organisation of Social Work (COSW) was established in Colombo in 1994 and seeks to represent social work principles, ethics and policies to the governments of the 52 Commonwealth member countries.
During the past 2 years COSW has been particularly active at various Commonwealth forums on issues such as HIV/AIDS, health and mental health and were present at the Com-monwealth Heads of Government Meeting in March 2002.
The IFSW has many members who are also allied to COSW and views this as an important organisation which endeavours to influence policy direction across the 52 member countries.

Public Service International

An intention to continue contacts with Public Service International aiming at co-operation in the areas of social policy, social services and working conditions of social workers in the public sector has due to administrative constraints not been realised.

The IFSW secretariat is now well established in Berne, Switzerland. The office premises and the cooperation with the Swiss member organisation is serving the Federation well. The relocation is providing easier access to the United Nations and other international bodies based in Geneva. The excellent Swiss infrastructure is also helpful in terms of communication and development of services.
The staff consist of a Secretary General (Tom Johannesen) in full time position with a contract renewed until August 31, 2006, and an Information Officer (Lisbeth Mattsson), formally working in a 65 % position, but in reality working full time. Her contract contract will be reviewed August 31, 2004. Performance evaluations have been con-ducted for both positions during the period, leading to a renewed contract for the Secretary General and confirmation of the contract for the Information Officer. Consideration is underway to rename the position Commu-nications Officer. In addition, an accountant (Marlies Schneider) has been contracted to do part of the accounting. The present level of staffing is not adequate, and the Personnel Committee and Finance Committee are investigating ways to expand the staffing. A survey conducted at the end of 2000 showed a level of more than 6000 incoming communications per year, and this has increased since that time.
Priority is given to communications with member organisations, but there are many competing requests and an ongoing and often difficult balance in handling them. The Secretariat is giving priority to make more information available on the web to reduce incoming traffic, but this may also cause increased interest in the federation. The number of e-mails received is on the increase.
Computer equipment has been renewed during the period, and is now suitable for office purposes.
The concrete tasks performed in the Secretariat are reflected throughout the Biennial Report, and therefore not dealt with here.

Secretary of the Commission: Jim Ife, Australia
HR Commission for Africa: Makalo Marite, Lesotho
Alternate: Richard Gweru, Zimbabwe
HR Commissioner for Asia Pacific: Ng Shui Lai, Hong Kong
HR Commissioner for Europe: Carmen Mormeneo Cortes, Spain
Alternate: Ruth Stark, United Kingdom
HR Commissioner for Latin-America and the Caribbean: Matilde Quintero Valencia, Colombia
Alternate: Lourdes Torrez Jauregui, Bolivia
HR Commissioner for North-America: Marilynn Moch, USA
Alternate: Gayle Gilchrist James, Canada

IFSW/IASSW

This two year period saw the involvement of IASSW representatives in the work of the IFSW Human Rights Commission (HRC). Following an initial meeting in Montreal in 2000, the IASSW appointed representatives to the HRC, coordinated by Lynne Healy.
It is hoped that in future this cooperative arrangement can continue, with the Human Rights Commission operating effectively as a joint body reporting to both organisations, representing a united social work voice on human rights issues.

Casework - Phyllis Coard and Carlos Toledo

Two cases have dominated the work of the Human Rights Commission: Phyllis Coard and Carlos Toledo.
The HRC has been involved in Phyllis Coard’s case for many years. As part of the government of Grenada, she was arrested following the US invasion of 1983. Like other members of the government, she was sentenced to death following a trial which did not meet international standards, but the death sentence was commuted following a world-wide campaign in which social workers were actively engaged. In the last year she has been given temporary release from prison to obtain medical treatment, but the Grenada Government is seeking her return.
During the past two years, IFSW has made representations on her behalf, to the Grenada Mercy Commission, the Government of Grenada, and to other governments, and has organised an international letter-writing campaign.
Jim Ife was able to meet Phyllis in 2001, and she expressed her deep appreciation for all the efforts that social workers around the world have put into her case.
Carlos Toledo and Otto Alvarado work with street children in Guatemala. They laid a complaint with the police about a person who they claimed was dealing improperly with children, but because of this person’s influence and connections, it was Carlos and Otto who were arrested, charged, convicted of damaging this person’s reputation, and imprisoned. The case was subsequently appealed, without success.
IFSW made representations on their behalf, and a letter-writing campaign was organised, as a result of which a number of national associations also made submissions in support of Carlos’ and Otto's case.
Advocacy for Phyllis Coard, Carlos Toledo and Otto Alvarado continues at time of publication of this report.

Representations to Governments

An important role of the Human Rights Commission is to organise for the IFSW to make representations to governments about human rights matters. In doing so the IFSW acts in solidarity with national associations which are concerned about human rights issues in their own countries, and which seek the support of the IFSW in making strong statements on human rights. During the last two years the IFSW made several submissions to the Australian Government, around the treatment of asylum seekers and around issues of justice for Indigenous Australians. It also made a submission to the Canadian Government about HIV testing of immigrants, and worked with NASW around a submission to the USA Government regarding its respect for human rights and for UN Human Rights agencies.

Objectives not achieved

Some of the goals of the HRC for the two years have not been achieved. These include the holding or more human rights workshops for social workers, the establishment of a successful IFSW Human Rights web page, and the expansion of our work intervening with governments in support of national associations.
There are undoubtedly other cases of social workers suffering human rights abuse, who would be within the mandate of the HRC, but whose cases are not brought to its attention. This requires greater liaison between HRC members and national associations.

Future

With the increased involvement of the IASSW, and a change in the secretaryship of the HRC, the year 2002 could be the start of a new era for the HRC. Human rights remain at the core of social work values and social work practice, and human rights are achieving a new global importance. Social work has a major contribution to make, both to debates about human rights, and also to the struggle to realise and protect human rights for vulnerable populations around the globe. The HRC therefore has a central role to play in IFSW’s on-going mission.
The involvement of IASSW opens up new avenues of possibility, both for the incorporation of human rights material into social work education curricula, and also in involving social work students in human rights activism. It is suggested that the new HRC give attention to these possibilities, and also to increasing the activities of the HRC in human rights education workshops, and in representation to governments on human rights matters.

Secretary - and representative for North America: Gail MacDougall, Canada (until 2001)
Secretary - and representative for Europe: Arne Grønningsæter, Norway (from 2001)
Alternate - Europe: Eivind Elgesem, Norway(until 2001)
Support group - Europe: Jorunn Vindegg and Bente Moseng, Norway (from 2002)
Afroca: Helena Obeng Asamoah, Ghana
Asia and Pacific: Richard Hugman, Australia
Alternatie - Asia and Pacific: Yuichi Nakamura, Japan
Latin-America and Caribbean: Maria Lucia Silva Barroco, Brazil
Alternate: Gilma Mendez Hernandez, Colombia

Gail MacDougall found it necessary to withdrew as the Secretary of the committee after several years in the position. Our thanks to Gail for an important contribution to the development of the ethical work of the IFSW!
Arne Grønningsæter was appointed as the Secretary of the committee in 2001, and a secretariat group established in the Norwegian association. This group consists of the Secretary, Jorunn Vindegg and Bente Moseng.
A list of resource persons has also been established.

Revision of the ethical instrument

The main task of the committee is to work on the revision of the international ethical instrument. This work started in the previous period, with a survey among the member associations and a consultation in connection with the World Conference in Jerusalem 1998. The aim is to present a proposal for a new international ethical document to the General Meeting in 2004. In the first part of 2002 a letter was sent to the member associations of the IFSW, asking for comments to the following questions

What are the most important issues and trends in social work ethics in your country/region? How could the international ethical documents be helpful in addressing these issues? What should be the nature of the document and how would you like to see it used? Do we need a code of conduct or a principle statement?

Consultation Meeting in July 2002

The committee plans to present a first draft docu-ment to a consultation meeting in Geneva 13 July 2002.
The ethical instrument should contribute to the reflection process of social workers, and serve as guidelines for social workers at a general level. It should in addition contribute to legitimation of professional social work to other professions, employers, society in general and users. International human rights conventions express international common values that are valid for social work. On the other hand the diversity of the international society challenges the idea of a common ethical standard. A new international ethical document must reflect this dilemma between diversity and common values. So far feedback tells us that the IFSW document should be a value based template rather than a code of conduct. It should be brief and applicable to all cultures. It should deal with universal principles and have universal applicability.

Clearing House

The second goal of the action plan is to establish a clearinghouse that national associations and others can use in their ethical work. The Norwegian secretariat group has started to develop a plan for a web site on ethical issues in social work.

Schools of Social Work

A third issue is to further develop cooperation with the schools of social work. Representatives from the schools and from the IASSW are included in the list of resource persons and will be involved in the further work with the revision of the ethical instruments.

Keeping Ethical Issues on the Agenda

The overall aim of the committee is to ensure that ethical issues remain on the agenda of the international and national forums of social workers. The committee organised a consultation day in connection with the World Conference in Montreal in 2000. A special presentation of the ethical work of the IFSW was presented at the European regional conference in Vienna/Bratislava 2001.
The work of the committee has been complicated. Most of the communication has to be through the internet. It has therefore been a challenge to develop ways of working that can link the committee closer to the international, regional and national bodies of the federation. We hope the structure that has been developed in the last year can help in making the work more connected and more efficient.

UN, Geneva

Ellen Mouravieff-Apostol, Main representative, Andrew Mouravieff-Apostol (until 2001)

UN, New York

Michel S. Cronin (Main representative),

UN, Vienna

Monika Vyslouzil, Main representative

Council of Euope

Marie-Thérése Paillusson, France

IFSW Liaison Committee for Social Workers in the EU

Eila Malmström, Finland, President

Amnesty International:

Terry Bamford, United Kingdom

Sage Publications, London:

Karen Lyons, United Kingdom

Elections Committee:

Eugenia Moreno, Canada, Evelyn Balais Serrano, Philippines, Eila Malmström, Finland

IFSW Ambassador:

Suzanne Dworak-Peck, USA

Immediate Past President:

Elis Envall, Sweden

United Nations, Geneva

The team in Geneva
Ellen Mouravieff-Apostol (Main Representative), Lisbeth Mattsson and Jennifer Grollman (until December 2001) make up the Geneva Team. Lisbeth is responsible for IFSW representation at CONGO’s NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief constituted in 2001. She also attends information meetings of the World Bank and of the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Jennifer Grollman who now works for ILO as a Junior Programme Officer, helped with representation at meetings at WHO, ILO and meetings of the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its sub-groups, mainly those on children in armed conflicts and in displacement. During February-May 2001, Jennifer Anne Smallwood joined the team and participated in various meeting. She also represented IFSW at a meeting in Geneva on Workplace Violence in the Health Sector organised by the International Council of Nurses at the end of April.

Human Rights
IFSW continues to be active in the area of Human Rights and Child Rights. We follow the Annual Sessions of the Commission on Human Rights where the Federation delivered a statement again this year - a statement on the Right to Education.
IFSW is also active within the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its various sub-groups (armed conflict, sexual exploitation, and to a lesser extent, child labour, juvenile justice and education). Our greatest involvement has been with the programme of the Focal Point on sexual exploitation of children and continue to chair its Steering Committee (to be changed into Advisory Group). In this capacity, IFSW attended the Second World Congress on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Yokohama in December 2001 where we spoke at a workshop on birth registration.

Second World Assembly on Ageing
IFSW has been involved in the preparations for and taken part in the Assembly and the the NGO World Forum on Ageing in April 2002 in Madrid. A representative from IFSW's member organisation in Spain also participated at the Madrid meeting, and the organisation had trans-lated the IFSW Policy Statement on Ageing into Spanish. Both the English and Spanish versions were distributed at the Assembly and the NGO Forum.
At the Forum IFSW co-sponsored a workshop on Life Long Learning together with IASSW and the International Federation of Ageing. IFSW likewise spoke at a GINA (Geneva International Network on Ageing) workshop on "Retaining Full Citizenship", and at another on "Older Persons, Ethics and Peace".

WHO

IFSW is still in a phase of trying to obtain "Official Relations" with the World Health Organization, and the efforts will be revived later in 2002.

UNICEF

Relations with UNICEF continue. IFSW attended the General Assembly Special Session on Children in May. An internal UNICEF report concluded that the NGO Committee on UNICEF was no longer the most appropriate channel for its relations with NGOs, and it may not continue.
IFSW is the interim convenor of a forum of NGOs in Western Europe working for the rights and the well-being of children in this part of the world, and we were also asked to assist with the formal establishment of a similar forum or network in Central and Eastern Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Baltic States. The latter will be constituted at the end of June 2002 at a meeting in Sarajevo, and the former, in September or October 2002 in Brussels or Geneva. Both are still in a way connected to the Global Forum of the NGO Committee on UNICEF.

United Nations, New York

This report covers highlighted work of the UN and IFSW Representative Team at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from September 2000 through May 2002.

Special Session on Children
No less than 1.2 billion persons, half of them children, struggle to survive on less than one dollar per day. The overwhelming effects of external debt, poverty, weak infrastructure and services of poor quality contribute to more than 10 million children under the age of five dying each year, mostly from preventable diseases and malnutrition. At least 40 million children per year are unregistered at birth, violating their right to name and the right to acquire nationality. New approaches to development in the past decade have reinforced the conviction by many NGOs that efforts to overcome poverty and exclusion must be guided by universal values and human rights, beginning with the rights of the child. The UN General Assembly Special Session on Children brought together government leaders and Heads of State, NGOs, children’s advocates and children themselves from May 8-10, 2002. IFSW’s new Professional Training Manual entitled "Social Work and the Rights of the Child" was circulated at this meeting.

Children in armed conflict
As of May 2001, two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (one on armed conflict and one on child prostitution and pornography) have been adopted by the General Assembly. The optional protocol prohibits the active participation of children under the age of 18 in armed conflict and hostilities and imposes strict limitations for the recruitment of children in armed conflict.

Health
IFSW has supported the creation of the new CONGO Committee on Health and Communication in New York. The Committee explores health information available in all media to various constituencies around the world, but gives particular attention to the uses of the new information technologies.

HIV/AIDS
The UN set to mobilize a greatly intensified global response to the AIDS epidemic during the Special Session on HIV/AIDS, which was held in New York from 25-27 June 2001. They adopted a draft resolution containing a Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS. By that declaration, Member States made a further commitment by 2005, through incremental steps, to reach a target of an overall annual expenditure on the HIV/AIDS epidemic of between $7 and 10 billion in low- and middle-income countries, as well as those experiencing or at risk of rapid expansion of the epidemic.

Social Development
The UN Commission for Social Development held its 39th session in New York from 13-23 February 2001, during which it discussed the themes Enhancing Social Protection and Reducing Vulnerability in a Globalizing World, and the Role of Volunteerism in the Promotion of Social Development. The 40th session, was held in New York, February 11-27, 2002. The Commission considered two topics under its agenda and multi-year program of work, namely the priority theme "Integration of social and economic policy"; and the review of relevant United Nations plans and programs of action pertaining to the situation of social groups. IFSW in collaboration with other like-minded NGOs authored and delivered a statement on Improving the Lives of Families which is available in English, Spanish and French on the IFSW website.

Social Work Day at the UN March 2001
Despite continuing efforts by the international community, racial discrimination, ethnic conflicts and widespread violence persist in various parts of the world. Racial minorities, migrants, asylum seekers and indigenous peoples are targets of intolerance. Millions of human beings continue to encounter discrimination solely due to the color of their skin or other factors that indicate the race to which they belong. IFSW partnered with the World Health Organization to sponsor the 18th Annual Social Work Day at the United Nations, "Racial and Ethnic Oppression: Local and Global Impact" that was held on 21 March 2001. The event was attended by 200 social workers, social work faculty and social work students.

Social Work Day at the UN April 2002
The 19th Annual Social Work Day at the United Nations was held on April 15, 2002 with the theme, "Displacement, Forced Migration, and the Effects of War". Evelyn Balais Serrano from the Philippine Association of Social Workers was present to read the IFSW Appeal for Support for the Establishment of an Independent and Effective International Criminal Court.

Commission on the Status of Women
Bringing together representatives of the Member States, UN agencies and observers as well as over 600 NGO participants from all regions in the world, the 45th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women met in New York from 5-16 March 2001. It discussed the follow-up to the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, and to the 23rd Special Session of the General Assembly on Women held in June 2000. The Commission had before it an extensive agenda with two thematic issues: Women, the Girl-Child and HIV/AIDS; and Gender and all Forms of Discrimination. The 46th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women was held at the United Nations in New York from March 4 – 15, 2002. The Commission had two themes: era-dicating poverty, including the empowerment of women throughout their life cycle in a globalising world, and environmental management and mitigation of natural disasters: a gender per-spective. IFSW along with collaborating NGOs authored and circulated a statement concerning Women and the Family at the Commission.

Team Development
Michael S. Cronin has been appointed new Main Representative for the IFSW team to the United Nations, New York, after Dr. Celia B. Weisman who passed away in 2000. The IFSW team in collaboration with the NGO Committees on Aging and Mental Health, and the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University held a memorial service in the memory of Dr. Celia Weisman at the UN Chapel on October 30, 2000. Secretary General Tom Johannesen, President Imelda Dodds and members of Celia’s family were present to offer words of remembrance.
Two new appointments have been made to the team of representatives in New York. Dr. Robin Mama is an Associate Professor of Social Work and Director of the Bachelor of Social Work Program at Monmouth University in New Jersey. Dr. John Cosgrove is Associate Dean for Research and Special Projects at Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service in New York City. In September 2001, a social work intern assisted the New York Team. Amber Rickert is a dual master’s candidate in public health and social work at Columbia University. In September 2002, the Team will add additional social work interns from the graduate programs at Columbia, Fordham and Monmouth Universities.

11 September
The IFSW Representation Team expresses its thanks to the IFSW President, Secretariat, Executive Committee, and Representatives from IFSW Member Organisations for their support during the time of the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. The importance of repre-senting the social work profession on behalf of its member organisations was never clearer. The support that came from the telephone calls, letters and e-mails from all over the globe ultimately aided the Team's efforts to continue our productive and meaningful work. Both the initial IFSW Statement on the Terror Hitting the USA, the Call to Action: Social Workers Seeking Justice,but not Revenge, and the later statement on a Multi-faceted, Non-violent Approach to Resolving World Conflict was very well received among the UN, NGO and local social work communities. These statements and the call to action served as ideal strategy tools during a very difficult time.

United Nations, Vienna

The UN programs left in Vienna of specific interest to social work are crime prevention and drug control. While still maintaining our representation in Vienna, we are faced with the situation that we need to activate our work with the UN and recruit new representatives. Work is ongoing with the Austrian association to find candidates, but no settlement has been reached yet.

United Nations, Nairobi

The main UN activities in Nairobi of interest to our profession are environment and urbanisation. This year, Nairobi has been upgraded as a UN City, and the UN Habitat, responsible for urbanisation matters, moved from "center status" to "program level". At a World Urban Forum in Nairobi 29 April - 3 May 2002, IFSW was represented by our Executive Committee member, Charles N. Mgubua, Kenya, along with colleagues from Kenya and other African countries. While IFSW has so far not set up a formal accreditation in Nairobi, this is a matter that should be considered in the next period.

CONGO

Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations, and has 400 NGO’s in mem-bership. At the General Assembly of CONGO in Vienna in November 2000, IFSW was elected a Board Member for 2000-2003 and later also designated as an organisational Vice President. The tasks linked to this position are shared between the Secretariat and the main representatives to the UN in Geneva and New York. CONGO’s main role is to facilitate access to and dialogue with the United Nations on behalf of the international NGO community, and to provide training for NGO’s on how civil society can interact with the UN. The Vice President position enables IFSW to better profile social work both in relation to UN and its bodies and to a wide range of other national, regional and international NGO’s.
IFSW in New York is chairing a Task Force on Communications and serve on the CONGO Foundation Board which is a fundraising arm to support the goals and purposes of CONGO.

IFSW Ambassador

At the General Meeting 1994, the outgoing IFSW President, Suzanne Dworak-Peck, was appointed IFSW Ambassador. A Role Description was approved in 1996. The appointment is for two years at the time, and has been renewed at subsequent General Meetings. The main idea is to make use of the networks and expertise of experienced IFSW leaders by appointing persons with an indepth understanding of and experience with IFSW as Ambassadors, and that they through special assignments can continue to serve IFSW.
In the period from 2000 to date, she has continued to serve IFSW by representing us in several meetings and conferences, providing information and public relations via media, workshops etc., promoting the IFSW Friends program and consulting with the IFSW leadership. Some of the tasks performed are carried out "behind the scenes" or in a less visible manner. She has also executed special tasks on request, as a member of the Sub-Committee on Structure and Operations, and contributed to the evaluation of the Secretary General.
The Ambassador is doing an important job for IFSW, and at no expense to the Federation. Her function should be brought forward.

Since the General Meeting 2000 the IFSW with national host associations has arranged three major conferences:

World Conference
Montreal 29 July – 2 August 2000
"Promoting Equitable Societies in the Global Economy: Social Work in the 21st Century", 1900 participants.

Asia-Pacific Conference
Singapore 31 July – 3 August 2001
"Millenium Challenges and Action for Social Work Education and Practice", 300 participants.

European Seminar
Vienna and Bratislava, 27 - 30 August 2001
"Managing Conflicts in Social Work – Dealing with Contradictions", 300 participants.

The conferences in Canada and Singapore were arranged in cooperation with the International Association of Schools of Social Work or its regional affiliates. In total, more than 2500 participants gathered for these events, being number 47 - 49 in an ongoing series of conferences and seminars since 1966.
Different as they were in size and contents, one common theme seems to be shared: How do make sure that our profession continues to be relevant for users and society in the more and more rapid stream of change.
The participant level was lower than in previous years, especially for the European seminar. There appears to be a trend that more specific and practice related themes attract more participants than general conferences. This raises the need for IFSW and partners to look at the construction of future conferences and create space for more specific themes.
IFSW has in the period 2000-2002 continued to consider the use of professional conference organisers (PCO’s). Based on negative experiences at the World Conferences in 1998 and 2000 as well as in the preparations for the cancelled World Conference 2002, the question has been raised if we should explore using the same PCO for all World Conferences in the future to ensure efficient communication and be able to build on previous experiences. The matter is still under consideration.
Similarly, thought has been given to develop a insurance scheme that could be drawn upon for conference organisers. Active exploration of this is under way as this report is written.
A third concern is linked to interpretation and translation costs, which are extremely high and remain a financial challenge.

Definition of Social Work

The new Definition of Social Work, approved at the General Meeting in Montreal 2000, was in June 2001 also adopted by the International Association of Schools of Social Work.
The Definition has been translated to a number of languages and is in addition to English, French and Spanish now also available in Chinese, German, Japanese, Kiswahili, Portuguese, Russian and the four main Nordic languages. The General Meeting in 2004 will be invited to look at a revision of the definition, following a consultation process with member organisations and others.

Global Qualification Standards in Social Work Education

As an expansion of the joint work on the Definition of Social Work, IASSW and IFSW are now working on developing global standards for social work education and training. A committee has been established, headed by Vishantie Sewpaul, South Africa on behalf of IASSW and vice chaired by David Jones, United Kingdom from IFSW. A comprehensive draft has already been developed for further discussion, aiming at final approval in 2004. The draft will be presented at the General Meeting in 2002.

Social Work and the Rights of the Child

As presented under "Publications" the professional training manual on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Social Work was published in January 2002. This is the most comprehensive publication of IFSW ever, and the challenge ahead is to make it known to a global social work audience and stimulate its use in social work curricula and training.
Work is also under way to make the manual available also in French, German, Japanese and Russian. IFSW relies on member organisations and others to make sure that the material is spread around the world.

Country Projects - Zimbabwe

IFSW has continued to be involved in an organisational development project in Zimbabwe with the National Association of Social Workers. The project, financed by the Danish Trade Union Council for International Development Co-operation (LO/FTF) and in close cooperation with the Danish Association of Social Workers, started in 1997 and was to continue until mid-2003. However, the new Danish government has made deep cuts in development cooperation, leading the LO/FTF to have to end their financial commitment by July 1, 2002. All involved parties regret that the changed Danish government policy has led to this premature cancellation of the project, which has facilitated the build-up of a much stronger social worker association in Zimbabwe, despite the difficult political situation there.

Country Projects - Social Work Training in Ukraine

This project will soon enter its 5th year, and the 4th to be co-financed by the Swiss (Government) Agency for Development and Cooperation. Its progress is satisfactory, and our Ukrainian colleagues well prepared to continue its activities after mid-2003 when external funding will cease. During the transition period, the number of training sessions conducted by specialists from Western countries have been diminished, but they now constitute the project’s ‘main training sessions’ conducted for Ukrainian trainers who in turn hold training sessions in the provinces to train those who will train trainers at the local level. This system of "spin-off sessions" is appreciated by the social work educators and practitioners who participate in them and ensures the countrywide spread of knowledge. The development of the resource centres is satisfactory.

Social Work Day

It was reported to the General Meeting in 2000 that efforts were underway to establish a Global Social Work Day. While there seems to be increased interest among social workers worldwide to celebrate a social work day, it still remains to take steps towards a global approach.

IFSW Presence in the Gulf

IFSW has continued its involvement with the social worker organisations in the Gulf area. The Secretary General and the Information Officer participated in the biennial conference in 2001, this time in the United Arab Emirates.

United Nations documents

We continue to send relevant country UN documents to those member associations who are interested.

Friends of IFSW

The Friends of IFSW program is continuing to be successful. Since the last report in 2000, it has grown from 939 to 1082 affiliations in total registration since it was created and with a total of 72 different countries represented.
Many of the most faithful Friends over time have changed their registration into Life Friend, following an offer to have their previous payments credited. North America continues to be the country with most Friends (465, of which USA alone 418), but this last period has also seen a growth in the other regions with Europe now at 317 and Asia-Pacific at 261. The figure for Africa (24) and Latin America and Caribbean (15) remains modest.
An expanded cooperation with the British Association is being prepared to join efforts in marketing and administering the program in the UK. Other member organisations are invited to join in.