Dear Colleagues
From Switzerland I send you my best wishes for Social Work Day in Aotearoa/New Zealand. I hope on this day your employers will take the time to acknowledge your significant role, expertise and value to society.
– I hope that your funding bodies grow in their understanding that social work is about standing alongside the people you work with during a crisis and supporting them to be able to effectively manage the next challenge.
– I hope that the policy developers identify the key role you play in facilitating family and community structures that offer ongoing support to their own members.
– I hope that your Minister recognizes that you are part of the solution to all the challenges she faces.
– I hope that the public gets more opportunities to understand your role in guarding the rights of children, elderly, the marginalized and the poor.
– I hope that your government finds more ways to support your work, and more strategies to bring others into the profession.
– I hope the rest of the world uncovers the brilliance of your models, your long history and positive struggle to develop bicultural practice, and your deep appreciation of the role of culture in achieving wellbeing.
From the International Federation of Social Workers – congratulations to the social workers of Aotearoa / New Zealand. We wish you the very best day to celebrate the many significant and vibrant achievements that have benefited the hundreds-of-thousands of people, families and communities with whom you have worked.
Dr Rory Truell
IFSW
Secretary-General