The aim of the Education Commission is to create a structure for the transfer of knowledge between social work education and practice where both are informed and learning from one another. The Commission supports social work programmes and educators who experience pressures to make “concessions” on the quality of education to be able to meet the professions international standards. WSWD 2020 message from IFSW Education Commissioner, Vassilis Iakomidis
The specific objectives of our interim commission are:
- Provide, within the structures of IFSW, a platform for all parties to work together at the national and global level, in accordance with the global principles, values and ethics as articulated in the Global Definition of Social Work.
- Agree on global minimum standards of social work curriculum and an internationally recognized policy framework.
- Develop a mechanism for IFSW endorsement of social work curricula who meet the global minimum standards and policy frameworks.
- Extend support to social work programmes and educators when experiencing political or technocratic pressures to make “concessions” to the quality of education.
- Promote genuine participation of the people who use services.
Education in the news
December 19, 2025The IFSW Education Commission expresses its deep concern and solidarity with social work academics and higher education staff across the UK who are facing redundancies, restructurings and sustained institutional pressure.- December 12, 2025The International Journal Social Work Education has launched a call for a special issue on The Global Standards for Social Work Education and Training: Implementation Progress, Successes and Future Directions, edited by Prof Antoinette Lombard, President, International Association of Schools of Social Work; Prof Wing Hong Chui; and Prof Varoshini Nadesan.
- New IFSW Publication Highlights Collective Efforts To Strengthen Social Work Across The Asia PacificNovember 17, 2025The International Federation of Social Workers is delighted to launch the new e-book Professional Social Work Education in the Asia Pacific Region.
- September 24, 2025Title: 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 LankaThis symposium offers a unique opportunity to explore how social work education is developing across Asia and the Pacific.