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.
I’m a social work student and currently, I work at a large University in Eastern Canada. I’m in Student Affairs and I directly deal with Student Engagement, and the biggest issue I have seen is the need for Community Development. By creating impactful and purposeful programs to build capacity with the people we work with, whether it’s in the Child Welfare System or Professional Practice or on a University campus, we can help to build resiliency and create space for people to empower themselves for change. When we help to create a community for people that feel lost, powerless and ineffective then those people start to see themselves as not alone and they can build confidence and elasticity to support and grow each other. Community is a powerful thing and something that I feel is underrepresented right now in social work, at least in my part of Canada.
I reside in Canada. I have 19 years experience in social services and now I am a social work student. The issues that are concerning to me that I would like to be included concern the plight of Indigenous people in Canada and also the shooting of unharmed blacks by police in the United States. I would like for indigenous children in Canada, and elsewhere, to have the same level of child welfare services as other children in their respective countries, Particularly, I would like pressure on the Canadian government to implement the findings of the 2016 Human Rights Tribunal ruling, specifically increased funding and to turn over child welfare to those communities.
I would also like there to be a concerted effort to fight against police brutality and the shooting of unharmed individuals, particularly in the United States.
I am a Social Work student in Canada. I would like to see a more concentrated effort put into improving access to services for senior citizens. With our aging population, the needs of seniors are increasing more and more. I live in Western Newfoundland and there are more seniors here than any other age group. There is a serious lack of family doctors and many people have only emergency services to rely on for basic health care. They have virtually no access to services that could be provided to them by a social worker. As a result, they suffer deteriorating health conditions and poor outcomes. In addition, the only seniors advocacy group is in the provinces capital, St. John’s. It is not feasible for this group to advocate for people in rural Western Newfoundland as their demographics are very different and would not apply. I believe that it is so important to make changes to the existing policies to ensure that things improve in the future. Our seniors deserve to be able to live with dignity, not face oppression because of their age and be treated with respect
I am a Mi’kmaq social work student in Canada and I’m glad to see that there will be Indigenous representatives. Due to the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in care, I would like to see changes made involving Indigenous children and their communities. Non-Aboriginal social workers need training on the history of Aboriginal people, their beliefs, customs, traditions, ceremonies, etc. so that they can better understand Aboriginal people and work with them. I know there has been Culture Sensitivity training, but non-Aboriginal social workers also need to learn the history of Aboriginal people and where their issues and trauma stems from. Further training on this area would be beneficial especially if social workers are working with Indigenous people. Also having services and programs in place that Indigenous clients can use that include their culture, traditions, ceremonies as a way of healing.
Also, want to note the importance of what our role is as social workers and why we chose this profession, to abide by the code of ethics and to use critical reflective analysis skills in our practice to ensure that we help our clients the best way possible.
I am a Social Work student from Canada. I would encourage those in the social work profession, at all levels, to engage with individuals and communities living with trauma. One area of particular concern includes the growing refugee and migrant crisis due to environmental, and political instability. Even within a prosperous nation such as the United States, we see third world conditions after devastating hurricanes destroy New Orleans, Houston, and Puerto Rico. These disasters highlight racial and economic divides compounded by capitalistic, oppressive practices.
The rates of incarcerated women, particularly those of Indigenous decent, living with mental health challenges as a result of trauma and abuse continue to grow. Advocacy relating to patriarchal and oppressive systems that perpetuate criminality for women is required for advancements in female empowerment and overall wellbeing. Furthermore, along with the populations mentioned, first responders must be acknowledged in terms of psychological wellbeing associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Presumptive legislation across Canada is gaining support and therefore resources should be allocated to those affected.
I would like for the international social work community to discuss issues with regard to “Green Social Work”. Contemporary socio-economic and political discussions around the world are increasingly focusing on global warming & climate change and the effects these have on the environment and on human populations. It would be important for emphasis to be placed on what contributions social work education and practice can make in achieving environmental sustainability.
I would like for there to be a focus upon food waste and tackling food insecurity, particularly within Indigenous communities and their children. Within Canada, 13% of Canadians live in a state of food insecurity. Within my province, Indigenous communities in Cape Breton have a child poverty rate of 72.7% (Eskasoni), 48.5% (Membertou), 44.2% (Whycocomagh), and 40% (Wagmatcook). This is a staggering amount, considering the child poverty rate in NS is 21.6% and the child poverty rate in Canada is approximately 17%. The over representation is staggering, which can lead to serious impacts on an individuals social determinants of health.