International Federation of Social Workers

The 15th Eurasia Forum of Social Workers
2024-03-20 08:00 - 2024-03-22 17:00 UTC | Learning and Training Center, Thailand, Rajvithi Home for Girls, Rajvithi Road, Ratchathewi District, Bangkok 10400, Bangkok, Bankok, 10400, Thailand
The 15th Eurasia Forum of Social Workers
At The Learning and Training Center on Older Persons, Pattaya City, Chonburi Province, Thailand
Date: 20 – 22 March 2024
Theme: BUEN VIVIR : Shared future for transformative change from the perspective of social work in Eurasia.
Eurasia Forum Details
Coordinating Office:
Social Work Professions Council of Thailand
255 Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development Tower, 1st Floor,
Rajvithi Home for Girls, Rajvithi Road, Ratchathewi District, Bangkok 10400
Name: Juthamas Tawanvanichakul
E-mail:
Tel: +669 83-801-351, +662 0509-427
Facebook
Website
Line @043cdclh, WhatsApp: 66910043933
Youtube

SWSD 2024 world Joint Conference
2024-04-04 08:00 - 2024-04-07 17:00 UTC | San José
The Social Work & Social Development – SWSD 2024 world conference jointly organised by IFSW, IASSW & ICSW will be held from 4th to 7th April at PANAMA.
All social workers will be present, do not be left behind.
Date: 4th to 7th April 2024
Venue: Panama
Contact: SWSD2024

SIERRA LEONE NATIONAL SOCIAL WORK CONFERENCE
2024-04-29 08:00 - 18:00 (Atlantic/Azores) | San José
National Social Work Conference Aims to Shape the Future of Social Work in Sierra Leone
Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Sierra Leone Association of Social Workers (SLASW), in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare, is hosting the National Social Work Conference 2024 on April 29th at the Tunde-Cole Auditorium on the Fourah Bay College Campus.
Themed “A National Conversation on the Regulation of Social Work Practice, Education and Ethical Standards,” the conference will bring together practitioners, educators, regulators, service users, students, and stakeholders for a crucial discussion on elevating the social work profession in Sierra Leone.
Madam Melrose Karminty, the Minister of Social Welfare, will deliver the keynote address. The conference promises engaging discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities to shape the future of social work in the country.
Free registration is available for SLASW members. For inquiries and registration details, please contact the SLASW Secretariat via WhatsApp or e-mail.

Asia Pacific Social Work Student Conference 2024
2024-06-05 - 2024-06-08 | San José
Asia Pacific Social Work Student Conference 2024

Theme
Battle of Wits: Social Work Wisdom vs. InnoTech Intelligence

Organizers
Hong Kong Social Workers Association Foundation Limited
Hong Kong Social Workers Association
Macau Social Workers Association
University of Saint Joseph Faculty of Health Sciences
Sponsor: Drs Richard Charles and Esther Yewpick Lee Charitable Foundation

Date
5th to 8th June 2024 (Wednesday to Saturday) [4 days, 3 nights]

Venue
Macau Vocational Technical Education Activity Centre

Content
The conference will feature seminars, experiential workshops, agency visits, and cultural exchange activities.

Language
The primary language used will be Putonghua (spoken), and written in Simplified Chinese.

Eligibility
The conference is open to social work students from the Asia Pacific region.

Conference Secretariat
Contact person: Ms. Michelle Lee
Phone/WhatsApp/WeChat: +852 9291 4502
Email:
Website: www.hkswa.org.hk/apsc2024

For more details, please refer to the conference .

IFSW Side Event: UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, 2024
2024-07-09 12:30 - 14:00 UTC | San José
UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, 2024 International Federation of Social Workers’ Side Event
Social Workers as Partners in Advancing Sustainable, Innovative, and Community
Engaged Solutions through Co-Building an Eco-Social World in Building collaborative and innovation approaches to address the social, economic, and ecological challenges to advancing sustainable development.
The framing of the People’s Charter for an Eco-Social World calls for global commitment to co-developing, reciprocity and joint ownership of positive change, co-building peace, co-living with nature, co-creating social justice, and co-realizing equality. Using the framework of the People’s Charter to forward the SDGS, speakers will highlight partnerships to create community based industries, the work of the Global Research and Action Network for a New Eco-Social Contract, and opportunities to draw upon concepts of Ubuntu and Buen Vivir) as we work together to forward and grow the People’s Charter as a global commit to future generations.
Speaker: Sebastian Cordoba, Katja Hujo, Hilary Weaver (Lakota), Rory Truell and Evelyn Tomaszewski
Registration
Date: Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Time: 8:30a to 10:00a EST/12:30 to 14:00 GMT
Venue: Online
HOST: IFSW UN Commission (New York).

International Workshop on Social Policy and Social Work
2024-09-02 - 2024-09-03 | San José
Challenges for Social Policy and Social Work in Japanese and South Asian Contemporary Societies
Organized by the Sri Lanka Association of Professional Social Workers (SLAPSW) in collaboration with the Association for International Social Work (AISW)
Dates: 2nd and 3rd September 2024
Venue: Hotel Janaki, 43, Fife Road, Colombo- 05
Program:

3rd International Conference on Social Work (ICSW-2024)
2024-09-04 - 2024-09-05 | San José
Organised by:
National Institute of Social Development (NISD)

Date:
4th & 5th of September 2024

Theme:
“Social Security in 21st Century:
Shared Partnership for Transformative change”

Sub Themes:

Globalization and Cross Border Social Security System
Digital Transformation
Social Security in the Formal and Informal Economy
Social and Environment Governance (ESG)
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Community Health
Mental Health Challenges
Climate Change
Impact of Global Crisis on the Social Security System
Social Security and Elderly People

Registration:
Please fill out the REGISTRATION FORM below and send it to .
Registration Form-ICSW 2024-1

COSW Policy Annual Forum
2024-11-09 16:00 - 17:30 UTC | Online
The COSW Policy Forum, invites all social workers to the annual policy forum to be held on Saturday.
Day: 9th November 2024.
Venue: Online
Time: 16Hoo to 17H30 GMT
Registration: Not needed.

International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health
2024-11-19 08:00 - 2024-11-22 17:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | San José
The AASW 10th International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health (10th ICSWHMH) will be held from the Tuesday 19 – Friday 22 November 2024 in Melbourne. This hybrid event will bring together more than 600+ national and international delegates from across the globe.
The Conference aspires to cultivate strong connections among social workers and professional associations worldwide. AASW recognises the pivotal role of social workers and allied health professionals and, with a focus on a shared commitment to social work practice, social justice and human rights, this event is a unique opportunity for practitioners, academics, researchers, and students to come together in the exchange of knowledge and experiences.
You are all welcomed to join the conference
Registration
Contacts

International Conference on Indigenous Social Work Practices (ICISWP) 2025
2025-03-24 | Bandaranayake Conference Hall, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo, Colombo, 00700, Sri Lanka

The 16th National Conference and the 8th Asia and the Pacific Regional Conference on Social Welfare and Social Work
2025-03-24 09:00 - 12:30 (Asia/Krasnoyarsk) | UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE CENTRE, BANGKOK, The United Nations Building Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok, 10200, Thailand
The 16th National Conference and the 8th Asia and the Pacific Regional Conference on Social Welfare and Social Work!
We’re excited to invite you to join the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand and our incredible partners in Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region for this special event celebrating World Social Work Day 2025. Mark your calendars for Monday, March 24, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:40 PM (GMT+7).
This year’s conference will be held in a hybrid format at the UNCC and online via Zoom Cloud Meeting.
It’s a fantastic opportunity for countries in our region to come together, recognize the importance of social work, and share in Thailand’s advancements and achievements in social work and social welfare and development.
We’d like to invite you to explore the registration details and program information available in the poster. We can’t wait to see you there and celebrate the incredible impact of social work together!

CPD Course on Care and Support Systems for Social Workers
2025-03-26 08:00 - 2025-04-16 17:00 UTC | San José
The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), in collaboration with the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR), invites professional social workers worldwide to participate in an upcoming Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course titled Understanding Care and Support Systems – Opening a Social Worker’s View/Vision on this Global Concept.
This four-part virtual series, running from 26 March to 16 April 2025, will explore the essential role of social work in care and support systems, addressing critical themes such as human rights, working conditions, and political opportunities for strengthening care structures.
“Care and support are fundamental to social justice, human dignity, and the well-being of societies. This CPD series provides a crucial opportunity for social workers to deepen their understanding, exchange perspectives, and strengthen their role in shaping inclusive care and support systems,” said Priska Fleischlin, IFSW Global UN Commissioner.
Joachim Mumba, IFSW President, emphasised the relevance of this course for social workers globally: “The challenges in care and support systems affect every community. Social workers are at the forefront, ensuring that care is recognised as a human right. This CPD will empower professionals to advocate for equitable policies and sustainable, shared futures.”
Date: 26 March, 02 April, 09 April, and 16 April
Venue: Online
Time: 12:00-13:30 CET
Registration: Register here for participation
Program: The CPD Program
Logistics: Those who attend all sessions will receive a certificate.
Language: The CPD will be held in English.

Social Workers of Korea Gather in One Place!
2025-04-11 | COEX Gangnam Auditorium, 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Soul, 06164, Korea, Republic of
“Social Workers of Korea Gather in One Place!
National Social Workers’ Convention to Be Held on Friday, April 11, in Gangnam, Seoul”
<Korean Association of Social Workers to Host the 19th Social Workers’ Day Commemoration and 2025 National Social Workers’ Convention>
The Korean Association of Social Workers (President Park Il-Gyu) will host the 19th Social Workers’ Day Commemoration and National Social Workers’ Convention on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the COEX Gangnam Auditorium in Seoul.
Social Workers’ Day was designated to commemorate March 30, the date when the Act on the Improvement of Treatment and Status of Social Workers was proclaimed in 2011. Each year, it is celebrated alongside world Social Work Day to recognize the contributions of social workers and to strengthen pride in the profession.
The ceremony will feature various awards recognizing the contributions of outstanding social workers, including:
– The Local Government Welfare Award: presented to municipalities that have made efforts to improve the treatment of social workers
– The iM Warmhearted Social Worker Award: sponsored by the iM Social Contribution Foundation of iM Financial Group
– The WooCheon Award: presented by the WooCheon Welfare Foundation
– The ‘Seum’ Award for young social workers: selected by the KASW Youth Committee
Following the awards ceremony, social workers from across the country will gather for the National Social Workers’ Convention, where they will share and discuss social welfare policies and current issues.

President Park Il-Gyu of the Korean Association of Social Workers, who is leading the preparations for the convention, stated:
“Social workers in Korea are professionals who stand beside those facing various social challenges, realizing welfare rights and advocating for justice. Furthermore, they raise their voices and take action to improve anti-welfare structures in society, playing a key role in building a welfare state where every citizen can enjoy a dignified life.
The 2025 National Social Workers’ Convention will be a meaningful occasion where all social workers in Korea come together with pride, uniting their strength to elevate the status of the profession. I hope social workers from all over the country will participate and add their voices to this collective movement.”

While this event primarily focuses on domestic policies and raising awareness within Korea, the Korean Association of Social Workers also sees it as an opportunity to engage with the global social work community.

The National Social Workers’ Convention is open to all licensed social workers in Korea, and registration is available via the QR code provided on the official event poster.
For more information about the ceremony, please visit the KASW website at www.welfare.net, or contact the Planning and Policy Division at

Join IFSW for a side event at the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
2025-07-21 09:30 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | San José

Annual National Conference Of Indian Society Of Professional Social Work
2025-07-30 - 2025-07-31 | San José
DIGITAL INDIA AND SUSTAINABLE SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
30 & 31 JULY 2025
In Academic Collaboration with Bengaluru University and Bengaluru North University
Download the flyer here.

International Indigenous Voices in Social Work Conference
2025-08-12 08:00 - 2025-08-15 17:00 (America/Toronto) | San José
SAVE THE DATE!
International Indigenous Voices in Social Work Conference.
Theme: “One Child Every Child: Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Doing, Connecting, and Being for Advancing the Well-Being of Our Future Generations” led by UCalgary’s Dr. Michael Hart, the vice-provost (Indigenous engagement).
Organised by University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date: August 12-15, 2025
Venue: Calgary

IV Congreso Nacional - III Congreso Internacional FENACOTSMEX
2025-08-28 - 2025-08-30 | Mérida, Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico

COSW Policy Forum Focuses on African CSOs in Turbulent Times
2025-09-13 06:00 - 07:30 UTC | San José
COSW policy forum
What it is: The Commonwealth Organisation for Social Work (COSW) is holding a policy forum titled “From Fragility to Fortitude: COSW Policy Forum Focuses on African CSOs in Turbulent Times”
What it’s about: The forum will discuss a new report on the impact of the collapse of U.S. government funding on African civil society organizations (CSOs)4444. The report is based on a survey of 364 African CSOs in 42 countries and presents a “troubling picture of vulnerability and uncertainty” across the sector5555. The event will explore the future global impacts and opportunities resulting from this funding change.
Key finding: A significant number of African CSOs relied heavily on U.S. government funding; in 2024, 35.4% received more than half of their funding from these sources.
How to attend: Via Zoom by COSW

When: Saturday, September 13, 2025.
Time: 06:00-07:30 UTC/GMT and 16:00-17:30 UTC/GMT.
Venue: Online
Fees: Free
Details poster

Encuentro Regional y Congresos de la FITS - América Latina y el Caribe
2025-09-16 08:00 - 2025-09-20 17:00 UTC | San José
Encuentro Regional 2025 de la FITS-ALC
16 y 17 de septiembre de 2025
I Congreso Internacional de Trabajo Social
VIII Congreso Nacional de Trabajo Social
18 y 19 de septiembre de 2025
II Congreso Nacional de Estudiantes de Trabajo Social
20 de septiembre de 2025
Pilar – Paraguay
El Congreso Internacional de Trabajo Social tiene como objetivo generar un espacio de encuentro, reflexión y diálogo interdisciplinario que permita visibilizar y fortalecer el Trabajo Social en la promoción de los derechos humanos, la justicia social y el bienestar colectivo.

Bajo el lema “Fortalecer la solidaridad intergeneracional para un bienestar duradero”, buscamos fomentar el intercambio de saberes, experiencias y buenas prácticas entre profesionales, estudiantes, Academia y organizaciones de la sociedad civil, promoviendo acciones transformadoras frente a problemáticas como la pobreza, el cambio climático, la migración, la desigualdad y los desafíos emergentes en el ejercicio profesional.

Webinar "Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Well-being"
2025-09-20 04:00 - 06:00 UTC | zoom
IFSW Asia-Pacific Webinar 2025Theme: Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Well-Being

In response to shifting demographics and the growing need for intergenerational connection, IFSW Asia-Pacific will host a webinar focusing on intergenerational caregiving and strategies to strengthen bonds across generations.
📅 Date & Time: Saturday, 20 September 2025, 4:00–6:00 AM (UTC)💻 Venue: Online (Zoom)💰 Admission: Free of charge
Speakers:

Asimah Beevi Abdul & Nur Farhana Harun – Assistant Senior Social Workers, Foundation of Rotary Clubs Singapore Family Service Centre (Singapore)

Mai Yamaguchi – Professor, Japan Lutheran College (Japan)

Yada Ponchamni – Project Manager, Mutual Ground (Thailand)

👉 To register: Click here
For inquiries:
Flyer: AP Webinar 2025_Flyer_20250901

IFSW Europe regional conference 2025
2025-10-06 08:00 - 2025-10-08 17:00 (Europe/Paris) | Oslo Congress Centre, Oslo, Norway, Oslo, Norway
The IFSW European Regional Conference 2025
Date: 6th-8th October 2025.
Venue: Oslo, Norway, at Oslo Congress Centre.
Call for abstracts: submissions and registration is now open
Conference title: Bridging Communities: Building Sustainable Futures
Main themes:

Green social work/eco social work
Climate change
UN’s sustainability goals
Indigenous peoples’ perspectives

Sub-themes

1. Green Social Work and Social Work in the Face of Climate Change
2. Indigenous Wisdom and Environmental Stewardship
3. Education and Training for a Sustainable Future
4. Inclusion and Accessibility for All
5. Protecting Children’s Rights and Welfare
6. Health and Well-being in a Sustainable World
7. Gender Equality, Social Justice, and Human Rights
8.Digitalization and Its Role in Sustainable Social Work

Conference details
Contacts

IFSW Side Event at the Second World Summit for Social Development, Doha
2025-11-04 16:30 - 18:00 (Europe/Moscow) | San José
The IFSW side event on Strengthening Social Integration through Intergenerational Solidarity: A Foundation for Inclusive, Sustainable Societies, during the Second World Summit for Social Development, Doha, Qatar from 4 to 6 November 2025. The will be in-person only, and we exploring ways to share the session with members who are unable to attend. The plenary sessions of the Summit and the companion NGO Forum will be available for online viewing on UNTV.
This side event will explore the critical role of intergenerational solidarity in advancing social integration and sustainable development. As societies face profound demographic, social, and environmental challenges, intergenerational approaches provide opportunities to strengthen social cohesion, build mutual understanding, and ensure that policies and practices reflect the needs and contributions of all generations.
Venue: Doha, Qatar
Time: 16:45 – 18:00 (Qatar Time)
Room: 4
Speakers and Facilitators
Moderator: Priska Fleischlin (Switzerland, IFSW)
Panelists:

Akudo Amadeugwu (UK, IFSW)
Lynne Healy (USA, IASSW)
Benjamin Lough (USA, ICSD)
Bernard Mayaka (Kenya, IFSW)
P. K. Shajahan (India, ICSW)

Organisers
This event is jointly organised by the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW), the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD), and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW).
For details and concept, please read here

APSWC 2025 Pre-conference Workshop: Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for the Future in the Asia Pacific Region
2025-11-17 13:00 - 17:00 (Asia/Kolkata) | Taj Samudra Hotel, No 25, Katunayake, Colombo, 00300
APSWC 2025 Pre-conference Workshop: Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for the Future in the Asia Pacific Region

Date: Monday, 17 November 2025Time: 1:00–5:00 pm (Reception starts at 12:30 pm)Venue: Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka (same as APSWC 2025 venue)Admission: Free of charge (application required in advance)Application deadline: Tuesday, 30 September 2025Notification of acceptance: Wednesday, 15 October 2025
The International Federation of Social Workers Asia-Pacific (IFSW-AP) invites participants to a special Pre-conference Workshop ahead of the Asia-Pacific Regional Social Work Conference (APSWC 2025).
Under the theme “Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for the Future in the Asia Pacific Region – Focusing on Climate Change and Other Environmental Issues,” this workshop will explore how social workers can build stronger bonds between generations to create resilient communities and ensure long-term ecological well-being.
Distinguished speakers from across the region will share insights and experiences:

Amarawansa Ranaweera – Former President, Sri Lanka Association of Professional Social Workers (Sri Lanka)

Pen Sophanara – President, Association of Professional Social Workers of Cambodia (Cambodia)

Cheng-Hsin Lee – Deputy Director, Rerum Novarum Center (Taiwan)

Manohar Pawar – Professor, Charles Sturt University; Former President, International Consortium for Social Development (Australia)

How to apply:Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit the application form.Please note that successful applicants will be notified after the deadline.
For inquiries, contact:
Please note: This workshop is free of charge but separate from the APSWC 2025 conference registration, which must be completed independently.

Click HERE for the flyer

IFSW Asia Pacific regional conference 2025
2025-11-18 08:00 - 2025-11-21 17:00 (Asia/Kolkata) | The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo, Colombo, 00700, Sri Lanka
The deadline for abstract submission has been extended to June 25, 2025!

The Asia Pacific regional conference 2025 will be held on;
Date: November 18–21, 2025
Venue: The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Theme: Social Work Responds to Climate Change and Other Environmental Issues.
Contacts: APSWC Conference or Email
Host: website
Brochure:
● General Information (Tri-folded)
● Pre-Conference Workshop
● International Comparative Symposium
● Jane Hoey Auction Scholarship
● Post-Conference Study Tour
● Jane Hoey Auction
Program:Conference programe_20250410

International Comparative Symposium – The Development of Standards for Social Work Education & Training in Asia-Pacific Countries
2025-11-19 16:20 - 18:20 (Asia/Kolkata) | Taj Samudra Hotel, No 25, Katunayake, Colombo, 00300
International Comparative Symposium – The Development of Standards for Social Work Education & Training in Asia-Pacific Countries

The International Federation of Social Workers Asia-Pacific (IFSW-AP), together with the Asian and Pacific Association for Social Work Education (APASWE) and the Japan College of Social Work, will co-host an international comparative symposium during APSWC 2025:
📅 Date & Time: 19 November 2025, 4:20–6:20 PM (IST)📍 Venue: Anthurium Ballroom, Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo, Sri Lanka
This symposium offers a unique opportunity to explore how social work education is developing across Asia and the Pacific. Country representatives from Aotearoa/New Zealand, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan will share their challenges, achievements, and aspirations, reflecting on the Global Standards.
Highlights include:

Opening remarks by Prof. Machiko Ohara, President of IFSW-AP

Symposium objectives by Prof. Mariko Kimura

Reports and discussion with leading educators across the region

Closing comments by Assoc. Prof. David Rose, President of APASWE

🔸 This event is exclusively for APSWC 2025 registrants – no separate registration required.
📄 Flyer download:International Comparative Symposium flyer
For inquiries, please contact Dr. Viktor Virág at 📧 .

IFSW Africa 2025 Conference - Senegal
2025-11-26 08:00 - 2025-11-30 17:00 UTC | San José
Social Work in Africa: Navigating the Challenges of Social Cohesion and Sustainable Development
Le Travail Social en Afrique: Relever les Défis de la Cohésion Sociale et du Développement Durable
Download Flyer

IFSW side event at the 64th Session of the UN Commission for Social Development
2026-02-04 16:45 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Online
Join the Conversation: Inclusive Social Policy in an Eco-Social World
The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) invites you to a vital virtual side event in support of the 64th Session of the UN Commission for Social Development.
This session, titled “Inclusive Social Policy Through Rights-Based Social Work in an Eco-Social World,” features a panel of distinguished experts dedicated to equity, disaster response, and global social development.
Details about the theme: IFSW CsocD64 published statement
Event Details

Date: February 4, 2026

Time: 4:45 PM – 6:00 PM EST (10:45 PM – 12:00 AM CET)

Format: Virtual

Featured Speakers

Elizabeth Hill, MSW: A scholar-practitioner with 25+ years of experience in disability justice and language access.

Dr. Golam Mathbor: Professor and Interim Dean at Monmouth University, specializing in disaster relief and international social work.

Falon M. Alo, MSW: Director of Humanitarian Services at iParametrics LLC, with extensive experience in global crisis response operations.

How to Join
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with leaders shaping the future of global social policy.
Register Today here
For any questions regarding the event, please contact Anne Deepak at Email

Using social work Knowledge and skills to promote justice and rights for all women
2026-02-27 16:30 - 2026-03-12 18:00 (America/New_York) | San José
IFSW Side event, Using social work Knowledge and skills to promote justice and rights for all women

Join IFSW for a side- event, scheduled for March 12, 2026, during the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) promotes access to justice for all women and girls in an eco-social world. The program will look at how to achieve this goal through creating and sustaining peaceful, strong and accountable institutions, and healthy environments. IFSW advocates for co-building an eco-social world that integrates indigenous knowledge and holistic human rights to dismantle structural barriers like gender-based violence and climate induced displacement. At this Parallel Event presenters from around the world will look at unpaid care, Indigenous women’s health, and reproductive health and rights that are central in promoting the well-being of women and girls.

Fees: Nil

Registration: Register here

Conference “Social Work and Social Welfare: Towards the Pragmatics of Re-institutionalisation”
2026-03-25 09:00 - 16:00 (Europe/Paris) | San José
The conference continues the discussion on the re-institutionalisation of social welfare and social work initiated by the organisers in 2024 (Disaster Preparedness Policy for Humanitarian Crises: A Social Welfare Perspective) and continued in 2025 (Social Assistance and Social Work in Times of Crisis: The Philosophy and Pragmatics of Re-institutionalisation).
Registration
🖊️ Registration via the FORM
Application deadline: 2 March 2026
After the registration period closes or once the participant limit has been reached, registered participants will receive an email confirming their participation in the conference.
About the Conference
A time of rapid social transformations—often broadly described as a “crisis”—is of particular importance for institutional forms of interpersonal help, which are subject to deformation, deprofessionalisation, and deinstitutionalisation.

Existing methods of social work and organisational forms of social Welfare require substantial revision. Such revision should be grounded in in depth, community based reflection by those directly involved in helping activities—specifically, in their knowledge developed through many years of professional practice, consistently rooted in theoretical preparation, ethical standards, and institutional resources.

Guided by professional expertise, attentiveness to the Other, and concern for the common good, it is necessary to rethink and reformulate three fundamental principles of helping practice:

• the meaning and principles of shaping relationships with people in need,
• the specificity of the organisation of social welfare as an element of public authority, and
• the binding national legislative and administrative solutions.

The conference “Social Work and Social Welfare: Towards the Pragmatics of Re institutionalisation” continues the discussion on the re institutionalisation of social Welfare and social work initiated by the organisers in 2024 (Polityka gotowości na wypadek katastrof humanitarnych. Perspektywa pomocy społecznej) and continued in 2025 (Pomoc społeczna i praca socjalna w czasach kryzysu. Filozofia i pragmatyka reinstytucjonalizacji). Its purpose is to critically reflect on the core characteristics of Polish social Welfare and social work, as well as to preliminarily formulate recommendations for strengthening the resilience of helping organisations in a society marked by crisis.
Conference Co-organisers:

Institute of Sociology, Jagiellonian University – Department of Sociology of Mental Health and Social Work
Institute of Pedagogy, University of Gdańsk
Behaviour in Crisis Lab, Jagiellonian University
Municipal Social Welfare Centre in Kraków
Polish Federation of Social Workers and Social Service Employees Unions
Social Work Section of the Sociology Students’ Research Club, Jagiellonian University
Faculty of Sociology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań – Department of Research on Social Problems and Social Work

The Kraków initiative is embedded in a broader international context through cooperation with the International Federation of Social Workers. The event is also organised in cooperation with Wolters Kluwer Polska.
On behalf of all those involved in the Kraków discussion meetings, I warmly invite you to participate!
Hubert Kaszyński
(Institute of Sociology, Jagiellonian University)
Conference Programme
9:30 – 10:00 Opening of the Conference

Maria Klaman – Deputy Mayor of the City of Kraków
Witold Kramarz – Director of the Municipal Social Welfare Centre in Kraków

10:00 – 11:10 Lectures

Tadeusz Gadacz (AGH University of Science and Technology): Five Concepts of Dialogue
Krzysztof Szwajca (Jagiellonian University Medical College): Foundations of a Benevolent Organisation: The Kraków Children’s Support Centre
Witold Kramarz (Municipal Social Welfare Centre in Kraków): Principles and Expected Directions of the Evolution of Polish Social Welfare

11:10-11:30 Discussion
11:30-12:00 Break
12:00-13:30 Discussion Groups:

Meaning and Principles of Shaping the Helping Relationship
Moderators: Monika Oliwa Ciesielska (Adam Mickiewicz University), Katarzyna Ornacka (Jagiellonian University)
The Specificity of the Organisation of Social Welfare as an Element of Public Authority
Moderators: Marcin Boryczko (University of Gdańsk), Mirosław Górka (Social Welfare Centre, Rybnik)
Strategic Goals for the Development of Social Welfare
Moderators: Paweł Maczyński (Polish Federation of Social Workers and Social Service Employees Unions), Kacper Wcisło (Sociology Students’ Research Club, Jagiellonian University)

13:30-13:45 Break
13:45-14.30 Key Conclusions from the Discussion Groups
14:30-15:15 Conference Summary

Małgorzata Kossowska (Jagiellonian University)
Witold Kramarz (Municipal Social Welfare Centre)
Hubert Kaszyński (Jagiellonian University)

The conference will be conducted in Polish. After the conference, we will provide an English transcription of the recordings.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Course: Human rights of Social Workers and their Human Rights Responsibilities for Service Recipients
2026-03-27 12:00 - 13:30 (Europe/Paris) | San José
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) 2026
Human rights of Social Workers and their Human Rights Responsibilities for Service Recipients
for practising social workers, members and representatives of national social work associations, educators, and other professionals engaged in social work policy and advocacy
Dates: 27 March · 10 April · 24 April · 8 May 2026
Time: 12:00–13:30 CET
Registration: https://ifsw-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/ZBCxs1-DTsGxl30HbrY50A
Format: Online (Zoom, livestreamed on YouTube)
Language: English, Spanish
Co-organized by
UN Commission of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW)
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
In collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO)
Social workers operate daily at the frontline of human rights, supporting individuals and communities while navigating complex systems, laws, and institutional expectations. They are both holders of rights — including decent work, safety, and professional autonomy — and professionals responsible for respecting and protecting the human rights of service recipients.
Objectives
The CPD aims to:

Strengthen social workers’ understanding of their own human rights and labour rights;
Clarify human rights responsibilities towards service recipients in complex practice settings;
Support practical skills for analysing and addressing real-life professional dilemmas;
Identify shared advocacy and policy priorities at national and global levels.

Programme
Session 1: Human Rights, Labour Rights, and Social Work Frameworks
This session will introduce key concepts and standards from human rights, labour rights, and social work perspectives. It will provide a common framework to help participants analyse professional dilemmas and case studies.
Sessions 2–4: Learning from Practice – Case Studies
Each session will begin with a social work case.. The cases will focus on:

The multiple roles and expectations placed on social workers;
Tensions linked to public employment, authority, and legitimacy;
Efforts to improve state systems while protecting human rights.

The three organisations OHCHR, IFSW, and ILO will analyse each case along their framework. Participants will jointly examine the cases, identify relevant rights and responsibilities, and discuss practical ways to address challenges and improve outcomes for both social workers and service recipients.
Expected Outcomes
Participants will

have a clearer understanding of their human rights and professional responsibilities;
feel more confident in applying human rights principles in daily practice and policy discussions;
contribute to identifying key areas for collective advocacy and policy action at the global level.

Registration is required, to participate, register here
Organisation
Poster
Language: English and Spanish.
Platform: zoom, broadcasted to Youtube
Certificate: a certificate of attendance will be provided.
