The International Federation of Social Workers, International Association of Schools of Social Work and International Council on Social Welfare are pleased to announce the next phase of the countdown to publication in July 2014 of The Global Observatory Report on Social Work and Social Development with the launch of a new site for a series of podcasts on The Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development.
In partnership with International Social Work (the academic journal published for the 3 organisations by Sage Publications), a series of podcasts will track progress to the world conference in Melbourne in July 2014.
The first podcasts look at the history of The Global Agenda, the vision of the three organisations to create a Global Observatory and the process for submitting evidence to the Regional Observatories.
Submissions and regional reports will be brought together in the Global Report which will be published at the conference in July 2014 as a supplement to International Social Work.
A special issue of International Social Work will be published at the same time promoting critical discussion of the agenda themes and strategies.
The organisations are also exploring sponsorship for publication of a shorter, popular version of the report.
Deadline for submissions and contributions
People are invited to make submissions to their Regional Observatory illustrating how social work activity is involved in Promoting Social and Economic Equalities.
The deadline for submissions to the Regional Observatories 31 August 2013.
Submissions can include papers, videos, audio files, pictures and other material. We hope to publish all submissions on The Global Agenda website.
It is NOT necessary to provide formal, peer reviewed academic papers with references, although these will be welcome. The Global Report will set the practice examples in a global context with reference to UN reports, global statistics and research evidence.
Please visit the Global Agenda website for guidance about how to make submissions or send material. The European Region has published a proforma to help people to structure submissions and this can also be used in other regions; follow the link found here.
Podcasts
The first podcast introduces some of the ideas behind the Global Agenda and Global Observatory.
The second podcast was recorded at the launch of the European Observatory at the ENSACT conference in Istanbul, in April 2013: In this podcast Maria Moritz (IFSW), Christian Rollet (ICSW) and Susan Lawrence (EASSW) talk about some of the ideas behind the Global Agenda, how it came about, what the organisations involved are hoping to achieve and the timelines involved.
Future podcasts will include comments from the Presidents of the three global organisations, members of the Global Agenda Coordinating Group and others involved in developing the Global Observatory Report. We also hope to include podcasts by some of those who make submissions to the Observatory.
To keep up to date with new developments with The Agenda and The Observatory, please keep visiting The Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development website.
Observatory structure and process
The Global Agenda Observatory, established by IASSW, ICSW and IFSW, consists of networks or consortia bringing together institutions of higher education and professional/practice-based organisations that jointly research, analyse, synthesise and report on Agenda activities. The Global Agenda Observatory involves a process which will evolve over time and aspires to establish a strong, credible Observatory within ten years. The Global Agenda Observatory will be established at local, national, regional and international levels, working through existing structures and workplans. All members of the three organisations are invited to participate in this exciting initiative.