Image: Jioji Ravulo, Malakai Waqa Kaitani, Nathan Chong-Nee, Andrzej Frank, Yvonne Crichton-Hill,
At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, a team of six social workers, including representatives from IFSW member organisations in Fiji and New Zealand, played a crucial role in shaping discussions on key issues affecting communities across the Commonwealth. The involvement of Yvonne Crichton-Hill, Jioji Ravulo, Malakai Waqa Kaitani, Nathan Chong-Nee, Naomi Spencer and Andrzej Frank underscores the profession’s critical role in shaping policies that benefit communities. Together, this team demonstrated the power of social work to drive positive, lasting impact on a global scale.
In a Spotlight session during the Youth Forum, Malakai Waqa Kaitani delivered a compelling speech on the Commonwealth Charter for Young Carers and the evolution of social work in the South Pacific. Drawing from his personal experience of caring for family members, a sentiment shared by many in the audience, Malakai highlighted the significance of the Charter. Developed through extensive consultation with young carers across the Commonwealth, the Charter has now been acknowledged in numerous Commonwealth communiqués and forums.
During the People’s Forum, COSW led a session centred on the integration of indigenous values and knowledge into social work practices, emphasising their potential to foster healthier and more equitable communities. Malakai Waqa Kaitani, Nathan Chong-Nee, and Yvonne Crichton-Hill, with the support of Jioji Ravulo, focused on Pacific perspectives and case studies, sparking a vibrant discussion on the merits of indigenous approaches.
At a side event on “One Resilient Common Future: Where All Children Are Cared for and Protected,” Yvonne Crichton-Hill stressed the pivotal role of social workers in child protection, advocating for the integration of indigenous perspectives in addressing family and community challenges. The event featured a briefing paper co-authored by David N Jones, former IFSW president and Chair of the Commonwealth Children’s Interest Group. Support from Commonwealth Heads of Government ensures that the wellbeing and safety of children will remain a priority over the next two years, with COSW playing a significant role in these efforts.
The delegate-led session, ‘Resilient Commonwealth Communities: Indigenous Social Work Responses to Health and Equity Challenges,’ prompted lively discussions, making it a resounding success. Nathan Chong-Nee, Chief Executive of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers spoke of the privilege of hosting these CHOGM events and the four Forums in Samoa: “This was a great opportunity to showcase the richness of our Pacific with people from across the globe”. However, on a more critical note, he also stressed that “for many of us, our Commonwealth stories are deeply intertwined with the memories of hurt, displacement, and loss. While we celebrate our shared connections, it’s essential that we honour and remember the past”.
Speaking on the importance of these contributions, IFSW President Joachim Mumba stated, “It is essential for social workers to participate in political discussions, as we amplify the voices of the marginalized in decision-making processes, ensuring no one is left behind. Social workers provide practical, real-world solutions to some of the most urgent challenges facing our communities.”
David Jones echoed this sentiment: “Social work’s presence at CHOGM demonstrates the profession’s ability to influence policy and bring about meaningful change. It’s a powerful reminder of our role in supporting communities and improving lives across the Commonwealth and beyond.”