PRESS RELEASE – 24rd March 2012 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Three global organizations join forces to make an impact on social development. The three international social work, education and social development bodies have committed to working together with the United Nations to address the crucial problems perpetuating poverty, inequality and unsustainable human environments.
The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), and the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW), the three largest global social work, education and social development organizations will be presenting the Global Agenda of Social Work and Social Development: Commitments to Action (the Agenda) on United Nations Social Work Day, 26th March at the UN offices in New York, Geneva, Santiago de Chile, Nairobi, and Bangkok.
At the UN headquarters in New York, Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will formally accept the document on behalf of the whole of the United Nations. At this event the heads of UN member-state missions will also receive the Agenda on behalf of their countries in front of an audience of more than 600 NGO representatives, social workers, educators and social development practitioners.
The Global Agenda document commits the organizations to address the root courses of oppression and inequality, to ensuring that people have power over their own lives, and to dedicate themselves to lead a movement that will create a more social just and fair world.
Background Information:
Download: The Agenda for Social Work and Social Development: Commitments to Action.
The three organizations were founded in 1928 and have all consistently held consultative status with the United Nations since the 1950s.
The International Federation of Social Workers is the global federation of national social work organizations in 90 countries representing over 750,000 social workers.
The International Association of Schools of Social Work is an international community of schools and educators in social work, promoting quality education, training and research in the theory and practice of social work, administration of social services and formulation of social policies. IASSW speaks on behalf of 2,000 schools of social work and 500,000 students.
The International Council on Social Welfare is a global, non-governmental organization which represents tens of thousands of organizations around the world that are actively involved in programmes to promote social welfare, social development and social justice.
For further information contact:
International:
Dr Rory Truell Secretary-General
International Federation of Social Workers
Dr Abye Tasse, Chair for the Global Agenda
International Association of Schools of Social Work
Denys Correll, Executive Officer
International Council on Social Welfare
NY Based Teams:
Janice Wood Wetzel, Main Representative
International Association of Schools of Social Work
Michael Cronin, Main Representative
International Federation of Social Workers