The African Association of Social Workers Mozambique (AASMO) held its second national conference on 3–4 July 2025 at the Montebelo Indy Maputo Congress Hotel, bringing together national and international experts, students, academics, and policymakers under the theme “Strengthening the Profession, Building the Future: Promoting Social Work Training and Intervention.”
The conference marked a significant moment for Mozambique’s social work sector, fostering important dialogue on the development of the profession, challenges faced by practitioners, and future strategies for advocacy and institutional reform. The event was supported by UNICEF and MTGAS (the Ministry of Labour, Gender and Social Action), and included contributions from international speakers representing Ghana, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and Portugal.
Oluwatoni Adeleke, IFSW Africa President, participated actively in the conference and addressed delegates with a call for stronger intergenerational collaboration, mentorship structures, and capacity-building efforts: “Investing in the next generation of social workers is critical to sustaining and professionalising the field. We must create opportunities for leadership development, mentorship, and active participation in both regional and international structures,” said Ms Adeleke. “By equipping young professionals early in their careers, we ensure the continuity, relevance, and resilience of social work in addressing the complex social challenges our communities face today and in the future.”
IFSW Africa President, Oluwatoni Adeleke
The Global Social Service Workforce Alliance (GSSWA) was also represented, with Director Hugh Salmon presenting on the value of workforce networks, advocacy, and international solidarity: “Social workers are vital to the wellbeing of communities and societies, but their impact depends on sufficient and sustained investment from government and other funders. GSSWA ratios and costing tools can be adapted and used to make the case for the investment required,” said Mr Salmon. “We therefore commend the government of Mozambique’s efforts in currently taking such an approach to estimate and cost the necessary workforce investment, with support from UNICEF and Cornerstone Economic Research. These efforts, combined with advocacy and support from AASMO and IFSW networks at national and regional level, will help build the robust social work profession and wider social service workforce that Mozambique urgently needs.”
A major milestone shared during the conference was the announcement that Mozambique is in the process of joining the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). Once approved, this will mark a historic step forward in integrating Mozambique’s social workers into the global community and supporting the development of ethical, well-regulated, and adequately resourced social services in the country.
IFSW Interim Secretary-General Pascal Rudin commented: “We are delighted to see Mozambique progressing toward IFSW membership. The engagement of AASMO, the government, and international partners in strengthening the profession reflects the country’s commitment to social justice and human rights. Mozambique’s inclusion in the global federation will not only support the development of ethical and well-supported social work practice nationally, but also enrich the regional and international dialogue on social development. We look forward to welcoming Mozambique into the IFSW community.“
Among the issues discussed was the lack of a unified national social work curriculum, the urgent need for legal recognition and regulation of the profession, and the critical shortage of social workers – currently estimated at one per 75,000 people. UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting both government and AASMO to address these challenges through policy dialogue, capacity building, and investment in workforce development.
The 2025 AASMO conference concluded with renewed energy and strategic focus, as Mozambique takes significant steps to build a professionalised, recognised, and globally connected social work sector.