Dr. Puji Pujiono, MSW, President of the Indonesian Independent Association of Professional Social Workers (IPSPI), presented a memento during his visit to the Malaysian Association of Social Workers. The memento was warmly received by Mrs. Mae Tan, Executive Director, Ms. Ainur Shamsudin, Project Officer, and Mr. Faiz Alavi, Communications & Media Officer.
During the visit, the leaders discussed the scope of cooperation between their organisations, emphasising the importance of regional collaboration. The key areas of cooperation include:
- Jointly holding a virtual meeting among social worker associations of ASEAN Member States in August.
- Advancing the ASEAN-wide meeting with a special sharing session on regulatory and policy frameworks related to social work in ASEAN countries in early October.
- Sharing information about activities of mutual concern.
- Sharing expertise as resource persons when needed in the activities of each organization.
- The initiative marks a significant step forward in fostering collaboration and enhancing the professional development of social workers in the region.
Machiko Ohara, IFSW Asia-Pacific Regional President, and Rory Truell, IFSW Secretary-General, commended the efforts, stating, “Bravo to the Indonesia and Malaysia associations of social work. Exchanges between IFSW members always lead to stronger connections and significant learning for the social worker practitioners and educators in each country. Such interchange and acquiring of new wisdom are foundations for our continuously developing profession.”
This collaboration highlights the commitment of both associations to support the professional growth of social workers and to address common challenges through shared knowledge and expertise. The upcoming ASEAN-wide meetings promise to provide a robust platform for exchanging insights and strategies, ultimately benefiting social work practices across the region.