The Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development started in 2010 when 3000 social work representatives and social development professionals came together to set the priorities for the profession until 2020. This significantly successful period of the Global Agenda has been an essential voice in proactively setting and fulfilling the Sustainable Developmental Goals, working towards more peaceful and just societies and strengthening the voice of the social work profession.
Now, the social work profession needs to examine new themes and processes to expand the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development for the years 2020 to 2030. From IFSW, we are launching a consultation process, where your input is essential to build a robust and inclusive Global Agenda that meets the real needs of all people. The consultation period will end in July 2020.
Please make your contributions to the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development 2020 – 2030 by filling in the comments box at the bottom of this page.
To see the reports of the Global Agenda from 2010 to 2018 please visit the IFSW Bookstore where you can download the reports for free. Below is a video message from the IFSW President Silvana Martinez and Secretary-General Rory Truell providing some examples of the success of the Global Agenda and inviting all people interested in the development of social work to participate in the consultation process. The video is subtitled in both Spanish and English.
Comments Section
Please leave any comments on your proposed Global Agenda themes for 2020 to 2030 and any suggestions for how to integrate the themes across the decade which also allows the Global Agenda process to effectively respond to any unforeseen social issues that may arise.
Emily N. says
Hi,
My name is Emily and I am a social work student from Canada. As many have said before me, entering the social work profession can be very daunting, particularly because of the levels of burnout and preconceived notions around social workers and the work we do. In my experience interacting with the child protection system, this is especially evident. I would like to see an emphasis on a more holistic approach for supporting families in the child protection system, specifically (if possible) having the correct supports in place for reunification and to keep families together. I would also like to see these services become more culturally competent and for social workers to be educated on different cultures, beliefs and the culturally relevant supports needed. Aside from this, children who can not be reunified with their birth families, deserve the best possible foster placement, and not to become lost in the system as they are bounced around. As a former foster child, I can understand how traumatic experiences in the foster care system are carried into adult life and without the proper supports can not be overcome. I feel really passionate about this area of social work, and would like to see the system work in a more holistic way, particularly when it comes to placing children in foster homes that are educated in the culture and beliefs of the child.
Melissa Evans says
I am a social work student in Canada. I would like to see social workers on a global level discuss various approaches to the child welfare system in regard to the agencies who are providing the care. I worked front line in the field and seen the limited resources that social workers have leaving them too busy to really be able to put their plans into action when it comes to the wellbeing of these children, there is too much reliance on the front line I feel with a lack of training and communication between the front line workers and the social workers as it’s the “higher up” in the organizations that communicate with social workers when it should be the front line workers directly as they are the ones who know these children in care best. .In my province of Newfoundland, it is very known that the social workers are over worked and burning out. I would like to especially see some discussion surrounding the indigenous population in the system and see what measure/approaches can be taken when it comes to ensuring their culture considered as well.
Sharon Obiye says
My name is Sharon Obiye, and I am child protection worker in Canada. I have had the opportunity of working in Alberta and Ontario as a child protection worker and I have observed there is a gap in service delivery within Canada. Every province providing child and family services have a service delivery model that is not in unison with other provinces, I believe this divide had made it difficult for social workers to have a united front and fight against cutbacks in social service funds. In recent years there have been a lot financial cuts in social services that has made it difficult to serve clients especially those that live in marginalized neighborhoods and the latest trend is the father away you live from urban cities the less services available to meet your needs.
I’m also an immigrant from Nigeria and my country had little to no social work practices until recent years. Nigeria is a developing country and we have a long way to go when it comes to women and children’s rights but they are receptive to learning more about social work. I propose that IFSW make an agenda to teach third world countries about social work practices and the benefits it serves to making way for a just and fair environment for the vulnerable population.
Jasmine says
I am currently a social work student, and my interest lies in mental health and addictions. One topic that I think would be important to address is self-care and self-help. Having a discussion about our own mental health looks like, and how this issue has evolved over the years. I think the social work practice takes a toll on your physical, emotional, and mental well-being and it is important to put yourself first and make sure you are okay. I know so many people who refuse to listen to what their body tells them and continue to brush off their problems and this is very unhealthy. It is okay to take the time needed to repair the work your body has done, and different strategies around self-care. In order to help our clients and the people we work with, we need to know how to help ourselves first.
BENEDICT ITSUELI says
Hello.
I am a Social work student from Dalhousie University in Canada. It will be a great idea to see social work practitioners come together and brainstorm on ideas that will uplift the human race. This is a highly welcomed development.
Benedict Itsueli
Lucy says
Hello, I am a social work student from Ontario, Canada. I identified three issues that I see facing social work in Ontario today are the following:
1. Disability
In a capitalist world, I find that there is a conflict in the definition of value. The value of people is now defined as financial worth. People with disabilities are more likely to depend on social assistance, and based on this new definition of the “value”, they do not contribute to the economy. Hence, the results are slashing of funding for adult and children programs by the government. It is not until recently where there is a strong advocacy by social workers, activists, advocates, and citizens towards ensuring people have access to education and job skills and development. A lot of services are dependent on funding they receive from the government, and the government focus and investments are constantly changing. How do social workers leverage partnership with government to ensure people with disabilities, who are also citizens, are shown respect and dignity like everyone else? Additionally, people with disabilities also have a positive impact in the current society and economy today as well. In fact, studies have shown that people with disabilities in Canada have an annual discretionary spending power of $25 billion.
2. Older adults
The long-term care services for older adults are not able to keep up with the aging population in Ontario. Trends show that cognitive impairment and behavioural challenges of new residents are increasing as they are entering residential services at later ages, but the number of intakes outweigh the amount of staffing and support in long-term care homes. In Ontario, there are currently approximately 34,000 individuals on the waitlist to move in to a long-term care home. Many of them stay in hospitals until space opens up where an average wait time is 161 days.
Chelsey Butts says
Hello all,
I am currently a social work student from Nova Scotia, Canada on schedule to graduate this coming Spring. I have been lost in thought reading all the comments posted on the Global Social Work Agenda link that Sheila has assigned to us and to be honest, I am overwhelmed with the amount of progress still needing to be made.
When I first started my Bachelor of Social Work degree, I was so full of hope and felt eager to create or contribute to real change and to help people. Unfortunately, I felt let down when I realized the magnitude of social issues we are often surrounded by as social workers and the fact that we are often over-worked, under-paid and under-resourced. However, I refuse to let this reality dampen my spirits and/or passion that I feel for social work and for people. Instead, I chose to use this as fuel for my fire in pursuing social work and all that it stands for. With that being said, I have took note of some of the main themes mentioned on the Global Agenda and thought I would share with the group.
GLOBAL SOCIAL WORK AGENDA 2020-2030 – MAIN THEMES:
– More involvement with International Federation of Social Workers
– More recognition of Social Work, what it stands for and social/public awareness of
– United vision for Child Welfare and other organizations
– Promoting World order without Imperialism and coloniality
– Democracy, economic development and social justice
– More focus on gender identities and patriarchy
– Promotion of anti-racist practices
– Well being of social workers working in trauma-laden environments (preventing burn out)
– Drawing away from Eurocentric social work practices and education
– More social work education regarding specific areas (military, child welfare, addiction)
– Harmful SW practices with Indigenous populations + prevention of
– More Federal and International involvement – creating and contributing to social change
– Role of social workers in global refuge crisis
– Economic insecurity and food insecurity
– Child poverty – effects on social determinants of health and life chances
– Over-representation of Aboriginal children in care
– Lack of proper health care/mental health care and/or resources for those who need it
– Women’s rights – abortion – access and affordability – still existing patriarchy
– Climate change
– Addiction and rehabilitation
– Human trafficking
– Trans’ rights + education/action
It is obvious that all of these issues are extremely important issues that need to be addressed, but some of the issues that I have found to be prevalent where I am from include issues such as but not limited to; Lack of economic and food insecurity, poverty (including child poverty), addiction, awareness of social workers current status of being overworked and under resourced, addiction, human trafficking, sexualization of children -dangers of new technological era and access, lack of proper health care (specifically mental health care) lack of access and affordability to individuals, groups and/or communities.
I am from Cape Breton Island which is a small island off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada and It is easy to recognize that poverty, unemployment and addiction are some of the most prevalent issues where I am from. I would consider Cape Breton a somewhat rural area where access and affordability to proper care is not something easily obtained by its citizens and I believe that poverty plays a large role in these issues. I grew up surrounded by issues such as these and always felt like I wanted to contribute to changes within my community but I have found this to be a much more difficult process that I had bargained for. It is tough when you are aware of the role of larger structural problems in creating these social issues but have no real power when it comes to true social change and the game of politics.
Sincerely,
Chelsey Butts