CALL FOR AN HONORARY SECRETARY-ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

IFSW EUROPE e. V.

 CALL FOR AN HONORARY SECRETARY-ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

The European Region is looking to appoint an Honorary Secretary to support the Regional Executive and member organisations to promote social work in Europe.  The appointment is on a voluntary basis, but the holder will be paid an honorarium of 3.000 Euros a year. In addition to this, office expenses, accommodation and travel costs to attend the annual Delegates Meeting and Executive Meetings held at different venues around Europe will be met by IFSW.

The post holder will be primarily accountable to the President for IFSW Europe and will work with other Members of the Executive who have lead responsibilities for different areas of the work programme.

This post is offered in the first instance for a period of 12 months. Thereafter it will be reviewed and may be extended for a further period.

The post holder will be expected to give the Federation 2 months' notice of their intention to give up the position.

In exceptional circumstances the post holder or IFSW European Region may terminate the appointment with immediate effect. 

For questions or informal discussion about the nature of the work and the support available, contact IFSW European President, Cristina Martins.

Applications should be received before April 8.

Cristina Martins

President of the IFSW European Region

[International Federation of Social Workers – Europe e.V.]


E-mail: martinscristina25@hotmail.com

Web: www.ifsw.org/europe

IFSW Europe e.V. is one of the five regional divisions of IFSW. IFSW Europe e.V. is a registered legal body, and has 40 member associations in 35 countries, with a total of 165,600 social workers - the membership is representative as it covers all corners of Europe. IFSW Europe e.V. is governed by the Delegates Meeting which meets once a year and includes representatives from each of the member organisations. The member organisations elect the Regional President for a four year term. In addition they elect an Executive of five people which is responsible for the day to day activities of the Federation in Europe. The Executive committee is supported by the Honorary Secretary.

JOB DESCRIPTION

1. To provide administrative and practical support to the IFSW European Executive Committee, including attendance at web-meetings once a month, Executive-meetings at different venues in Europe twice a year and the annual Delegates Meeting. In particular, this will include preparing and typing agendas, taking and writing up minutes, organising and distributing Executive papers, proposing timetables for business and ensuring that these are met, making practical meeting arrangements and other related business.

2. To act as the published secretariat contact point for member organisations and others wishing to make contact with IFSW Europe, including distribution of correspondence to appropriate organisations or individuals and the press.

3. To work on the IFSW Europe's communication team providing administrative support to the IFSW Europe's Newsletter- European Social Worker, updating the Blog, Facebook and the regional webpage.

4. To maintain a database of member organisations and their representatives, partners and contacts in countries not currently in membership.

Essential

The individual appointed will be:

. experienced in committee work

. well organised and able to work to deadlines

. able to communicate effectively in an international environment, primarily through the medium of English

. computer literate, this must include having access to computer/internet facilities

. able to travel to meetings at venues around Europe

Desirable

The individual appointed is likely to be - although this is not essential:

. an active member of a national member organisation

. experienced in social policy analysis and/or social work policy

25^th March 2014

Statement in Support of Social Workers in South Caucasus Region

Statement in Support of Social Workers in South Caucasus Region

The European Region of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW Europe e.V) wishes to express support for the development of the social work profession in the South Caucasus region and acknowledge the challenges that our colleagues in that locality face in their day to day professional activities. We compliment them on the very real progress they have made in articulating the concern shared by all social workers to secure a just and fair society. 

A humanistic profession as diverse as the population it serves, social work is firmly established globally as a profession that promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Social workers are committed to challenging the abuse of human rights that regrettably continues to occur in all parts of the world and to overcoming resistance to the values and principles that underpin the essential services we provide.

The infrastructure necessary to ensure that social workers have the necessary knowledge, skills and support to perform their duties effectively is less well developed in countries that have a turbulent history of conflict and change and where democratic accountability is a relatively new phenomenon. We are proud to be associated with the substantial progress that has been made in firmly establishing social work practice in the countries of South Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Professional regulation is an essential element of our accountability as social workers and IFSW Europe urges all the relevant stakeholders to support professional bodies in their efforts to establish the systems necessary to in protect the interests of those who use our services.

We would like to congratulate and encourage all Armenian, Azeri and Georgian social workers in the region to continue their efforts to challenge unacceptable cultural practices, overcome political opposition and advocate for human rights, social justice, women’s equality and the further development of the practice of social work in South Caucasus.

About the Region: South Caucasus

South Caucasus is a geopolitical region located on the border of Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia. The region consists of three countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. All these countries share the soviet history.  The region remains one of the most complicated in the post-Soviet area, and comprises tree disputed territories Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia and Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan.

Social Work Emerging in South Caucasus

Social work development in each of the South Caucasian countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgian,) is characterized by particular specificities, yet this process shares common trends as well. In all the three countries social work has been developing since the collapse of the Soviet Union.  Social work practice emerged in this region as a response to the severe socio-economic crisis brought about by the collapse of the soviet empire and influenced by the recommendations of the international stakeholders. Having a tradition of “no social problems”, the official view of the socialist utopia of the Soviet Union that in a just social system (communism) social problems would disappear, these countries are faced with a significant number of social and economical challenges. Several wars, including the 2008 South Ossetia war, Georgian-Abkhazian conflict and the Nagorno-Karabakh war have been waged in the region. 

Despite 20 years of history in the region, social work has little tradition as an academic or professional path in most former Soviet countries. The training program for social workers at the university level was established in 1996 in Armenia, whereas the academic level education was introduced in 2005 in Azerbaijan and in 2006 in Georgia.  The need for well-trained social workers is profound in all post-communist societies, with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia being no exception.

Professional Associations in the Region

Pioneer social workers in the region have formed thriving associations as professional touchstones for all social workers.  In Armenia and Georgia the associations were established in 2004 when social work had no professional body or a code of standards, and few opportunities to work in the field.  The associations have helped not only raise the profile of social work within their respective countries, but also supported the development of social work education as well as establishment and enforcement of a professional code of ethics, key characteristic of the profession. These developments were followed by Azerbaijan establishing the association in 2009.

18^th March, 2014

Contact: Cristina Martins, President of the IFSW European Region [International Federation of Social Workers – Europe e.V.] E-mail: martinscristina25@hotmail.com Cell phone: + 351 936272618 Web: www.ifsw.org/europe

Greece - WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY 2014

Dear colleagues, 

Today, Wednesday 12th of  March, Greek public sector workers shut schools and left hospitals and public services on emergency staffing levels to protest against Government plans to fire a number of public servants due to Troika’s demands.

About 40 social workers of the public sector are about to lose their jobs and a lot more are threatened  by government’s plans for dismissals. Living in austerity for four years, vulnerability has become mainstream for people living in Greece. In such crisis for the people, adequately staffed Social Services are needed to assist people to access food, shelter, warmth and sustainable support networks. On the contrary, Greek Government chooses to dismiss  social workers, amongst other professionals, to cut expenses.

Hellenic Association of Social Workers joined 24 hour strike of Greek Public Sector Workers Strike as a part of action for the Social Work Day. A lot of social workers joined  march to Greek Parliament against public sector dismissals demanding strong social services for the people.

Greek Social Workers believe that Investing in social work and social services will contribute to reducing short-term suffering and mitigate some of the long term consequences of the crisis.

SKLE (Hellenic Association of Social Workers), on the occasion of Social Work Day, calls all Social Workers and Students Social Workers in Greece to join :

• next Greek Public Sector Workers Strike and march to Parliament on 19th of March
• Antiracist and Antifascist rally in the center of Athens on 22nd of March

I attach some photos of todays march

Best Regards

Periklis Tziaras, 

Member of Board of SKLE (Hellenic Association of Social Workers)

Georgia - WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY 2014

Message from IFSW Europe e.V. on World Social Work Day 2014

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Spain - WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY 2014

Dear Colleagues,

We are working to prepare the World Social Work Day. We will deliver the III National Social Work Awards and celebrate the WSWD with all our members. The event will take place on March 14^th in Barcelona. The award-winners are Montserrat Colomer (historic Spanish social worker), Jordi Evole (journalist committed to social issues) and Plataforma de Afectados contra la Hipoteca (Platform Affected against Mortgage), which has defended the situation of many Spanish to the crisis and the loss of housing.

We also make the I Photography Competition "Image of Social Work", where the Spanish social workers photographed how they see social work in Spain.

Best wishes,

Ana I. Lima Fernández 


Presidenta – CONSEJO GRAL. TRABAJO SOCIAL


Premio IMSERSO al Mérito Social 2010 Cruz de Oro de la Orden Civil de la Solidaridad Social 2011 (MSPSeI)


C/ San Roque, 4 Local 2. – 28004 Madrid


Tel: (+34) 91 541.57.76-77

 
consejo@cgtrabajosocial.es 

ENS4care joint project that IFSW Europe is participating in with the European Federation of Nurses (EFN)

Dear Colleagues,

I’m writing to request your assistance to promote the ENS4care joint project that IFSW Europe is participating in with the European Federation of Nurses (EFN) and 22 other partners to develop electronic guidance for social workers, nurses and other social and health care professionals on the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) such as Telecare to support dependent individuals in their own homes and identify any additional skills and training that may be required for work of this nature. 

The project, which is being funded by the EU for a 2 year period, aims to promote closer working arrangements between social workers, social service/ social care workers and nurses and other health professionals as well as developing new forms of intervention such as social and health prescribing.  The project is being co-ordinated by EFN and participants include organisations representing users and carers. Details of the other partners can be found at the following web link:  http://www.ens4care.eu/partners/

IFSW has advised the other partners in the project of our concern as social workers to ensure that guidance of this nature developed by the project promotes user directed services, choice and empowerment and is human rights compliant.  A brief article on the project was included in the November “European Social Worker”  IFSW Europe's newsletter.

The first stage in the project is to gather information about existing practice in this field and identify social workers who can contribute to this important work.  To this end we would be grateful if you would disseminate information about the project as widely as possible in your country through your membership organisation and other networks. The questionnaire can be completed online at:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G8837QJ and the deadline for responses is 14^th March 2014.

You will note the relatively short timescale for completion of the initial questionnaire and that responses require to be submitted in English.  We are concerned to ensure that this does not deter social workers with relevant experience from participating and would be grateful if anyone who is unable to comply with these requirements would contact the IFSW representative on the project, Ian Johnston, by email at:i.johnston@talk21.com concerning any special assistance that may be required to enable them to participate.

With kind regards. 

Cristina Martins

President of the IFSW European Region

[International Federation of Social Workers – Europe e.V.]

WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY 2014 - ROMANIA - PROAS

Statement of IFSW Europe e.V. in Support of Ukrainian People Struggle for Better Future

Statement of IFSW Europe e.V. in Support of Ukrainian People Struggle for Better Future

On behalf of IFSW, Europe e.V. we want to express our support to Ukrainian people’s struggle for better future.

The key role of social workers is to support people who, for whatever reason, are not able to fulfill their needs and to participate fully in social life and make their decisions with free choices. Human rights, social justice, freedom and democracy are conceived social workers as vital values and standards. Therefore, we recognize right to freedom of expression and association of them who, during this struggle, gather in the streets of Ukraine.

We convey our grave concern over the loss of life, injury and distress that Ukrainian citizens are currently experiencing and the impact the current situation is having on the well-being of those who were already disadvantaged or facing hardship.  We call upon all sides involved in today’s political discussions to avoid violence. We express our belief in the right of all human beings to free expression. However whilst we support peaceful demonstration of discontent, we reject violence of any kind.  We support the rule of law but not the use of excessive force by the state to impose public order.

We are hopeful of Ukrainian’s ability to go beyond the conflict and find solutions beneficial to all of the Ukraine’s citizens in free choice and free elections.

21^st February 2014

Contact: Cristina Martins

President of the IFSW European Region

[International Federation of Social Workers – Europe e.V.]


E-mail: martinscristina25@hotmail.com 

Web: www.ifsw.org/europe

WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY 2014 - PORTUGAL - ALGARVE DELEGATION

WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY 2014‏

Dear Colleagues,

We are writing to acknowledge the important events social workers across Europe are arranging to celebrate World Social Work Day (WSWD) which takes place annually on the third Tuesday in March. In 2014 this will be Tuesday 18th March.

The theme for World Social Work Day in 2014 is “Social and Economic Crises- Social Work Solutions”. You can download the WSWD Poster in various languages from the IFSW main web page which is: http://ifsw.org/world-social-work-day-2014/

World Social Work Day is the annual occasion for all social workers and their organisations to make social work visible and promote the significant role social workers undertake on behalf of society and our professional values.

The Executive committee of IFSW Europe e.V. calls on all member organisations and all social workers in Europe to join us in celebrating the Day. Celebrate along with your social work association and workplace colleagues marking this important occasion with any action you find suitable for your situation and your resources (open day, reception, meeting, conference, workshop, petitions to Parliament or Government, etc.)

IFSW Europe e.V. will prepare a video message for the day highlighting the important work performed by Social Workers across Europe and reporting the conclusions of our current project: Economic Crisis in Europe- Challenge and Response of Social Work Profession. The video will also feature a formal joint announcement with the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) about the IFSW European Conference 2015 which will take place in September 2015 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

IFSW Europe would like to receive information for World Social Work Day celebrations from all over Europe. Please inform us about your plans for the WSWD 2014.

Please send us your messages, so that we can publicise your activities.

Best wishes

Cristina Martins

President of the IFSW European Region
[International Federation of Social Workers – Europe e.V.]
E-mail: martinscristina25@hotmail.com  
Web: www.ifsw.org/europe

WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY 2014 - Romanian College of Social Workers‏

At 18^th of March 2014, the National College of Social Workers in Romania celebrates the International Day of Social Work. In the same time, the College will mark 20 years since the first promotion of social workers and also 10 years since the social work became a regulated profession.

The event will take place at Nottara Theatre in Bucharest. During the event different prizes will be awarded to the best social workers in different social work fields. Special prizes for journalists, politicians or institutions will be also given to those who promoted the social work profession in 2014. 

Rare Disease Day 2014 Official Video (+lista de reprodução)

Dear colleagues, 

The Rare Disease Day official video is out! You can find it below. Feel free to watch it and share it as many times as you like. 
It's been translated in 12 languages. If it's not yet translated in yours, please feel free to send us the translation text so we can make it happen. 

This 28th of February, let's join together for better care!
Best Regards,
Raquel Castro

The video demonstrates the 2014 theme "CARE" showing the many facets of caring for people living with a rare disease and their families.

The seventh Rare Disease Day takes place on 28 February 2014.
"Join Together for Better Care" and participate!

Join an activity taking place near you to demonstrate global solidarity.
www.rarediseaseday.org

The video has been translated in 12 languages
English - français - deutsch - español -português - nederlands - čeština - català - dansk - 中国的 - русский - العربية
If it is not yet translated in your language, send us the translation at rarediseaseday@eurordis.org and we'll embed the text in the video for you.
Join Rare Disease Day Facebook Group
Follow Rare Disease Day on Twitter
Get involved – this day is the Day to put rare diseases in the spotlight!
This year's slogan - Join Together for Better Care! Learn more about it.

Become a friend of Rare Disease Day 2014!‏

Dear colleagues, 

If your organisation is not yet a Friend of Rare Disease Day, please do become one. Join us and hundreds of other organisations in this huge international awareness campaign.

Let's Join Together for Better Care! It's easy - just follow the instructions below. 

Best Regards,

Raquel Castro

Become a friend of Rare Disease Day!   This is an easy way for you and your organisation to share what you will do this year for Rare Disease Day! "Friends of Rare Disease Day“ has been created to give visibility to those who want to do something to create awareness for rare diseases. Patient organisations, health professionals, researchers, drug developers and public health authorities having an interest in rare diseases are invited to join this year's campaign. Being a “Friend” requires limited commitment to the Rare Disease Day campaign and acknowledges the fact that not everyone can give the same level of time and effort.  We ask your participation by: ·      Posting the Rare Disease Day logo on your website ·      Linking your website to www.rarediseaseday.org Friends are also strongly encouraged to organise or participate in awareness-raising activities and to relay EURORDIS press releases about Rare Disease Day and/or their country’s National Alliance press releases to their media contacts. The Rare Disease Day website displays the list of people and organisations who have signed up to be a “Friend of Rare Disease Day.” Click here to register as Friend. It takes only a minute! Join us now! February 28th, 2014 is Rare Disease Day! Rare Disease Day is an annual awareness-raising event coordinated by EURORDIS at the international level and National Alliances of Patient Organisations at the National level. This year’s theme is Care and the slogan is “Join Together for Better Care” Find out all about this year’s campaign on www.rarediseaseday.org Don’t forget you can also: Join Rare Disease Day Facebook Group Follow Rare Disease Day on Twitter Questions?  Suggestions?  Drop us an email at rarediseaseday@eurordis.org Get involved – this day is the Day to put rare diseases in the spotlight!

Seasons Greetings from IFSW Europe

Photo executive by Ana Belén-General Council of Social Work Spain, Design by Maria Mónica — Hakan Acar, Gabriele Stark-Angermeier, Maria Moritz, Salome Namicheishvili, Ian Johnston and Cristina Martins

IFSW Europe's Newsletter, European Social Worker #1 | 11- 2013

Dear Colleagues,
Please find attached the latest edition of the European Social Worker in a new format.
This is the 1st edition of our newsletter this year and with a new design.
We hope you enjoy reading it.
Best wishes,
Cristina Martins
President of the IFSW European Region
[International Federation of Social Workers – Europe e.V.]

http://zalaczniki.ops.pl/ifsw/ifsw_europe_s_newsletter_11-2013.pdf