Welcome to IFSW EUROPE

Welcome to the website of IFSW Europe.

This website provides information about IFSW Europe, our membership, co-operation, activities and events.

You can also find out more about the activities of IFSW Europe and our member organisations from the IFSW Europe blog.

Click here to access the blog

NEWS


IFSW Europe e.V was pleased to launch the executive summary of the “Standards in Social Work Practice Meeting Human Rights” project in Malta in May 2010. This was the result of the latest project carried out by IFSW Europe.

The project set out to establish the basis for a common framework of Standards in Social Work Practice. The framework is intended to consolidate the basic parameters within which Social Work in Europe operates into a common framework including Ethics, Professional Role, Training and Qualifications and Organisational Contexts for Social Work in Europe. This framework is considered a key step in contributing towards the ongoing development of Standards for Social Work Practice in Europe. At the heart of this work is the consideration that an integral part of Social Work Practice is the realisation of Human Rights.

The full report of the project can be accessed by clicking here.

IFSW Delegates Meeting 2010

This years Delegates Meeting took place in the city of Valetta, Malta from 14 - 16 May.

The minutes of the meeting can be accessed by clicking here.

Papers which were distributed to members can be accessed here.

Training and Special Sessions

IFSW Europe is now providing training and other interactive learning as part of Delegates Meetings.

Many IFSW Europe members had highlighted the need for continued lobbying to make effective change. The IFSW Europe Executive therefore organised some training on lobbying which took place in Dubrovnik on 25th April 2009. The session was delivered by Ana Carvalho. The powerpoint presentation used during the session can be downloaded here.


The Delegates Meeting in Malta in May 2010 will include a special session on human rights issues.

Project Seminars

The four seminars were held across Europe during the Autumn of 2008 to discuss the IFSW Europe project on Standards in Social Work Practice meeting (Human) Social and Economic Rights.

Blog Reports

Sofia, Bulgaria Madrid, Spain Vienna, Austria Berlin, Germany

Membership

IFSW European Region has 40 member associations in 35 countries, with a total of 165,600 social workers - the membership is representative as it covers all corners of Europe - over the last years a number of associations of social workers from the Central and Eastern European countries have been especially welcomed as new members of the Federation.

Governance

IFSW Europe is governed by the Delegates Meeting which meets once a year and includes representatives from each of the member organisations. The member organisations elect the Regional President for a four year term. In addition they elect an Executive of five people which is responsible for the day to day activities of the Federation in Europe. The Executive committee is supported by the Honorary Secretary.

Co-Operation

IFSW Europe co-operates with other organisations in Europe. It has a long standing tradition of working closely together with the "European Association of Schools of Social Work" and the "European Region of the International Council of Social Welfare". This cooperation is now brought into a formal frame called ENSACT, including three other member organisations in the social field. Co-operation with other European organisations is improved as we are now a member of the Social Platform, the Fundamental Rights Agency and EPSU. Coperation with these organsiations takes place on an issue oriented basis.

Becoming More Effective

IFSW Europe has built the foundations for our future growth and development and for an even stronger voice for social work in Europe during the past years. New Articles and Bylaws for IFSW Europe were approved in Porto 2008. In Parma 2007 we agreed a new policy platform with clear priorities and we have a formal process for reviewing our work programme and setting new objectives and priorities.

IFSW Events

IFSW EUROPEAN DELEGATES MEETINGS

2010 - Valetta, Malta
2009 - Dubrovnik, Croatia
2008 - Porto, Portugal
2007 - Parma, Italy