World Social Work Day 2025 Report
World Social Work Day 2025: Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing
World Social Work Day (WSWD) is an annual global celebration that aims to recognize the contributions of social workers worldwide. It is a period dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness about the vital role social workers play in improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities. The theme for WSWD2025 is “Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing.” This theme emphasizes the importance of intergenerational connections and care for the well-being of all members of society.
The focus is to highlight the need for societies to actively support respectful intergenerational solidarity. The theme builds upon previous World Social Work Day themes like Ubuntu and Buen Vivir, acknowledging the interdependence of people and focusing on intergenerational caregiving. It stresses that care is a shared responsibility, not limited to any specific group. The theme also addresses the economic and environmental challenges, emphasizing the need for each generation to act responsibly towards the environment to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for generations to come.
Global Events and Activities
WSWD2025 was marked by a variety of events and activities across the globe including and not limited to:
- Webinars: Many organizations and institutions hosted webinars to discuss the theme.
- Conferences: Conferences were organized to bring together social work practitioners, managers, students, and others in the field.
- United Nations Events: Social Work Days at the United Nations 2025 in Geneva and New York convened social work students, faculty, and practitioners to celebrate social work’s role at the UN and discuss advocacy.
- Regional and National Events: Various regions and nations held their own events.
- Online Campaigns: Podcasts, Social media campaigns and online platforms were used to celebrate social workers and promote the theme.
Key Messages and Outcomes
- The importance of intergenerational care and connections for individual and societal well-being.
- The need for societies to strengthen support for respectful intergenerational solidarity.
- The role of social workers in promoting intergenerational solidarity and addressing social challenges.
- The recognition of the transfer of knowledge across generations.
- The call for action from each generation to ensure a sustainable future.
- The celebration of the social work profession’s contributions to global advancements, human rights, and social justice.
- The emphasis on compassion and solidarity as the foundation for lasting well-being.
World Social Work Day 2025 was successfully celebrated by all social workers and community members. All the global events and activities served to celebrate the social work profession, raise awareness about key social issues, and promote dialogue on how different generations can support each other. The period reinforced the vital role of social workers in building a more just, equitable, and sustainable world for all.
At IFSW, we deeply appreciate and celebrate all our members for leading the planning and facilitation of these activities. We also thank them for helping to spread the message within local communities, with translations now reaching over 100 languages. Our sincere thanks also go to our partners and the general public for joining us in this celebration.