Background and History
World Social Work Day takes place on 18 March 2025. This year’s theme is ‘Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing’, which emphasises the importance of caring and respecting across generations to build strong societies, sustain the environment, and share wisdom for a better future.
Intergenerational care and connections are essential to everybody’s wellbeing as well as fostering functional economies and societies; yet they are too often overlooked or ignored by governments and policy makers. Through this theme, the social work profession recognises the need for societies to strengthen and more actively support respectful intergenerational solidarity for the enduring wellbeing of all.
This 2025 theme builds upon the previous recent World Social Work Day themes of Ubuntu and Buen Vivir by recognising the crucial interdependence of peoples, and expands on these bodies of knowledge by focusing on intergenerational caregiving. The theme highlights that care is everyone’s responsibility and not just the domain of ‘women’s work’ as some societies promote.
Intergenerational solidarity also speaks to the economic and environmental challenges we face, as each generation needs to act in relationship with the environments in which we live so that future generations can inherit healthy and sustainable economic and ecological environments. The theme recognises the importance of the transfer of knowledge across the generations and the value in acknowledging our elders and ancestors and the gifts of wisdom they have provided. It further acknowledges the role of younger generations in interpreting these wisdoms in new ways, to fit the challenges of today and to find new solutions for the future.
Care between peoples is at the heart of this theme and as social workers we recognise our role in shining light on and supporting the diverse range of care arrangements.
In preparing the poster, the designer commented:
“The central figure represents the caregiver in all of us, helping all kinds of people across the waterfall. The figure is our mother/father/brother/sister/aunt/uncle/child/or chosen family. It has no gender or features because it represents everyone. Whether it’s through support, a helping hand, finding an alternate path, or just being there. Compassion is the catalyst to helping families, friends, and neighbours. It’s also showing that the caregiver is being re-energized and fortified through helping. The colours are bright and bold to show their resilience. The people come from all walks of life all around the globe and the landscape isn’t meant to be any one place, but rather a symbol of the journey we all travel.”
Joachim Mumba, IFSW President, stated: “This theme highlights the critical role of intergenerational care, respect, and collaboration in creating resilient communities and sustainable environments. It underscores the social work profession’s dedication to building connections that value the wisdom of our elders while empowering younger generations to tackle today’s challenges and envision a better future. Together, we can build a world where compassion and solidarity lay the groundwork for lasting well-being for everyone. As an African proverb says, ‘If you light a lamp for someone, it will also brighten your own path’. Our collective efforts to uplift one another ultimately illuminate the way forward for all.”
To learn more about the history of World Social Work Day, please click here.
Download, co-branding and translation
You may download the 2025 World Social Work Day poster by clicking one of the following buttons: English Français Español
For more translations and formats, please click below on ‘Poster Translations’ and ‘Other Formats’.
Co-branding the Poster: All networks, movements, and organisations that share the values of this poster are welcome to co-brand it by adding their logo alongside the IFSW logo. We also invite you to share with us your initiatives and plans for your #WSWD2025 event. We will upload information about your planned events on this page and distribute it among social workers around the world.
Translating the Poster: We will publish the translation of the World Work Day Poster into your language. Please click below on ‘Submit Translations’.
- Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing
- World Social Work Day
- 18th March 2025
Thank you all. IFSW will publish your translated poster on this page so that it can be shared across the world (please note that the relevant IFSW member organisation will be asked to approve the translation, which may take a few days).
More videos will be posted here once they become available
IFSW President, Joachim Mumba’s 2025 World Social Work Day Message:
IFSW Secretary-General, Rory Truell’s 2025 World Social Work Day Message:
- WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY 2025
Caring societies for all : Advancing Social Rights for Persons with Disabilities
Day; Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Time; 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Format; online!
Registration, Programme WSWD 2025_EN
2. SOCIAL WORK DAY AT THE UNITED NATIONSSAVE
Looking back to move forward: Celebrating Social Work at the United Nations
Location: UN Headquarters in New York
Friday, April 4, 2025; Time: 10 AM – 12 PM ET
UNWSWD2025 Program, Registration
3. The IPSPI Indonesian member has prepared range of activities for WSWD2025.
4. IPSPI also hosts the seminar World Social Work Day 2025: Social Work Practice in The Management of Bullying and Mental Health Issues among The Youth
5. WSWD2025 event in the University of Notre Dame Australia
6. On the occasion of #WSWD2025, the Faculty of Social Studies, University of Ostrava Czech ia, cordially invites you to the screening of the award-winning Czech documentary DŮM BEZ VÝCHODU (The Impossibility), which addresses the issue of dignified housing for families in need.
12. FENACOTSMEX (National Federation of Mexican Schools of Social Work) WSWD conferences
13. Panama celebrates World Social Work Day 2025
14. The CFESS (Federal Council of Social Service) celebrates World Social Work Day
15. WSWD2025 greetings from IFSW – Latin American and Caribbean Region
16. The CPTSPR (Professional Schools of Social Work of Puerto Rico) celebration and message
17. WSWD and 100th Social Work National Anniversary in Chile
18. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) World Social Work Day celebration for 2025
19. One-day theme-based Solidarity Building programme for Social Workers celebrating World Social Work Day 2025 #WSWD2025 towards
“Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing”
in association with Nazareth College of Arts and Science, Chennai
Date: 5th April 2025, Saturday
Time: 9.00 am to 2.00 pm
Venue: Nazareth College of Arts and Science, Kannadapalayam Main Rd, Poompozhil Nagar, Chennai 600062
– Certificate for all registered participants
– Lunch and Snacks will be provided
– Prior Registration is mandatory in order make logistical arrangements
– Register before 04. 04. 2025 by 3.00 pm.
Registration Fee
PSWA Members Rs. 150
PSWA Student Members Rs. 100
Non Members Rs. 200
Non Member Students Rs. 150
Make your payment to the following number and share the screen shot in the registration Google Form
GPay to Mr. Sampath, Treasurer, PSWA – 94441 79123
For More details WhatsApp to Mr. Andrew Sesuraj. M, President PSWA at 9444020563
Registration Link
https://forms.gle/gNyE9RFtxgjh4pE6A
Events will be posted as they are shared by members.