Social Workers to celebrate 1st World Social Work Day
Social Workers from every part of the world will celebrate the first ever World Social Work Day on March 27, 2007.
Under the theme "Social Work: Making a World of Difference," the celebration will highlight the work of social workers in helping people to make positive changes in their lives. It is a common knowledge that social workers are involved with some of the most distressed and vulnerable people in our communities. They require not only compassion and dedication to help those in need but also intellectual and analytical skills and personal commitment.
Social work practice is always challenging and can be dangerous. In many situations the safety of social workers is at risk and there have been recent examples of social workers suffering serious injury and death.
Social workers recognize that the voice of vulnerable and marginalized individuals and groups (such as those living in poverty, people who are homeless, children and older people and people with physical or learning disabilities) is often not heard. Social workers aim to enable people to voice their concerns and to work jointly with service users to improve national and international social policies. Social workers respond not only to individual needs, but also larger social issues such as poverty, domestic violence, homelessness and health care. Social work aims to promote human rights and social justice.
The global celebration is a product of the initiatives of leaders of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). IFSW aims to get United Nations recognition for the day and to work in partnership with other global organizations to ensure proper recognition of social work. IFSW is a global federation with member organizations in 84 countries including almost half a million members. IFSW has formal consultative status with the United Nations and many other global and regional organizations
Social workers in Western Visayas will join the worldwide celebration by gathering at the Conference Room of Henry Luce Library of Central Philippine University at 9:00-11:30 am for fellowship, sharing and updating. To maximize the occasion, Ilonggo social workers will also plan for the 3rd Social Week in Western Visayas on June 13-19, 2007.
It will be recalled that during the Ruby Anniversary of the Social Work Law (R.A. 4373) in June 2005, Ilonggo social workers have advocated for the declaration of Social Work Week in Western Visayas on June 13-19 to give meaning to the Ruby Anniversary celebration. Spearheaded by Rev. Edwin I. Lariza, who chaired the regional association of social workers, the move was endorsed by the Regional Development Council and favorably acted upon by various city and provincial governments through respective resolutions/ordinances of all the Sangguniang Panlalawigan/Panglunsod in Region VI.