IFSW supports South African social workers as they discuss forming a united professional body

South Africa's social workers from across the public and private sector are to convene their first joint conference, with the aim of forming a unified professional association. The Deputy Minister for Social Development, Dr Jean Swanson-Jacobs will officiate at the conference on Thursday and Friday, at the Birchwood hotel. The historic meeting will be convened under the theme: "Towards establishment of a Unified Professional Association for Social Workers."

IFSW has welcomed these developments and will be represented at the conference by Charles Mbugua (Kenya), IFSW President for Africa and Senior Vice President and Terry Bamford (UK), both of whom will make presentations to the delegates.

IFSW President, David N Jones, welcoming the conference, extended best wishes to the delegates for the important and challenging work ahead on the final stages of discussion about a unified body. 'This exciting development is important not only for South Africa and the continent of Africa but for also for global social work. We have been waiting patiently for South Africa to take her rightful place in the global social work family. We hope to be able to celebrate this soon. I deeply regret that I am not able to be present personally at this historic conference but will be in Durban next year for the world conference of the International Association of Schools of Social Work and I will look forward to meeting the new leadership of the united body then. I hope we will be able to welcome the South African Association to the 2008 IFSW global conference in Brazil. South Africa has a distinguished history of social work practice and training. IFSW and our member organisations will do all we can to support the new association and the continued development of social work in South Africa.'

allAfrica.com: South Africa: Country Social Workers to Form Professional Body (Page 1 of 1)
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page last updated on 20.03.2008