An open letter from the Association of Social Workers in Iceland to the Icelandic government concerning human rights violations in Palestine

An open letter from the Association of Social Workers in Iceland to the Icelandic government concerning human rights violations in Palestine

The Association of Social Workers in Iceland encourages the Icelandic authorities to use their power in the international community to stop the conflict in Gaza. The goal of social work is to work against human rights violations wherever they occur. Social Workers in Iceland and social workers all over the world feel there is a strong need for the international society to join hands to reverse the awful development in Palestine and stop the human rights violations that are taking place in the Gaza area with bombings on hospitals, schools and refugee camps where number of civilians and children has been killed. Social workers around the world are terrified of the news received from Gaza and a week ago a social worker, Hashem Khader Abu Maria, was shot to death when he took part in a solidarity walk with Palestine. The Association of Social Workers in Iceland condemns the death of Hashem and sends its condolences to his family and social workers in Palestine.

The Association of Social Workers in Iceland supports the call of the International Association of Social Workers (IFSW) to the international community and its 115 member organizations around the world to challenge their government to support peace based on the fundamental ideas of self-determination, social and economic equality and social protection. The international community must take action to ensure peace in Gaza so that the future will be based on rights, dignity and stability to the population of Palestine and Israel, but the basic values ​​of social work is respect for human dignity and human rights of all. The Association of Social Workers in Iceland encourages the Icelandic authorities to fight against the human rights abuses that are taking place in Palestine with all their might at international levels.

On behalf of the Association of Social Workers in Iceland

Mary Rúnarsdóttir, Chairman

e-mail: maria@felagsradgjof.is

Telephone: 6995111

Website: www.felagsradgjof.is

Nordic Conference 2015

Statement of IFSW Europe e.V. supporting the people of Turkey following the Coal Mine Tragedy

Statement of IFSW Europe e.V. supporting the people of Turkey following the Coal Mine Tragedy

On 13 May 2014 an explosion occurred at a coal mine in Soma, Turkey. According to official statements this was caused by faulty electrical equipment and resulted in 298 people losing their lives.

IFSW Europe e.V. wishes to express our deepest sympathy to the relatives and friends of the victims of this disaster and to all Turkish citizens who are trying to come to terms with this terrible tragedy.

Emergencies such as this give rise to unimaginable trauma for people directly affected who may be simultaneously grieving over the loss of loved ones and grappling with the numerous practical problems that arise from such tragic situations.

Social workers play a key role in supporting people who, for whatever reason, require professional support in addition to that provided by family and friends in the aftermath of disasters and IFSW Europe e.V. also wishes to express solidarity with our colleagues in the Turkish Association of Social Workers who are actively contributing to the emergency services being provided in Soma and the surrounding area.

Two other issues arise from this particular tragedy for us as social workers. We are concerned to ensure that all citizens’ fundamental rights are respected and these include occupational safety and health in the workplace, as required by international human rights conventions. Initial information emerging from the Soma coal mine explosion suggests that there may have been serious violations of occupational safety and health standards. 

We therefore call on all relevant state institutions, in particular the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, to investigate this tragedy transparently and start to cooperate with related trade unions and NGO’s to develop a more effective structure to ensure that employers are compelled to take all possible action to assess the risks faced by their employees and minimize the possibility of accidents of this type occurring.

IFSW Europe e.V is gravely concerned over the apparent link between the violation of labour safety and health and neo-liberal policies favouring private rather than public sector developments and and sub-contraction in all sectors which are having a negative effect on human rights in work places.

We are also concerned to ensure that Turkish citizens’ fundamental right to express their opinions freely is upheld by local and national authorities.

IFSW Europe e.V will keep the communication with our colleagues in Turkey who are contributing to the well being of most disadvantaged groups in society.

23th May 2014

For further information 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

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.

IFSW – Europe - Press Release from Delegates Meeting 2014 Madrid, Spain

IFSW – Europe -  Press Release from Delegates Meeting 2014 Madrid, Spain

Cuts in expenditure on social services constitute false economy.

Social workers from the length and breadth of the European Economic Area (EEA) are assembling in Madrid for the annual Delegates Meeting of the European Region of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) which takes place between 16^th and 18^th May. The meeting is being hosted by the Federation’s Spanish member, Consejo General de Trabajo Social.

In the forefront of a packed agenda will be the impact swingeing cuts in public expenditure in the wake of the financial crisis are continuing to have on those requiring health and welfare services and on dedicated professionals struggling to satisfy the needs of increasing numbers of people without the necessary resources. This situation disproportionally affects those citizens who are already most disadvantaged and excluded and diminishes the level of support available to people of all ages at times of ill health or other crisis.

Poverty levels in the EU have increased by 10 million in 5 years to reach 124 million – one European in four. In addition, “there are now wide inequalities in the distribution of income in the EU: on average, the top 20 % earned 5.1 times as much income as the bottom 20 % in 2012.” and “unemployment has increased sharply in Europe, from a rate of 7.1 %  in 2008 to a peak of 10.9 % in 2013” or 26 million people. (Taking Stock of the Europe 2020 Strategy for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth – European Commission – 5^th March 2014).

For the most part social work takes place behind the scenes in the privacy of people’s homes and behind closed doors in other settings such as hospitals and residential homes.  However the present situation is so desperate, particularly in the Troika countries – Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland and Cyprus, that many social workers have felt compelled to take to the streets to voice their concerns through campaigns like the successful Orange Tide movement here in Spain.

IFSW Europe’s President, Cristina Martins, said “Social workers are gravely concerned over the effect this situation is having on the well-being of so many citizens, evidenced by spiralling suicide rates, family break-up and a host of other social problems, many of which will have life-long consequences for those affected.  Failure to support people at times of need not only results in avoidable suffering and distress but invariably gives rise to greater problems in the future. The draconian cuts that have been made in social services represent false economy as additional expenditure will almost inevitably be required in the longer term.”

Social workers have a duty to protect children and vulnerable adults and to challenge the abuse of human rights wherever this occurs. An issue likely to be prominent in the meeting is that when they do so they often find themselves in conflict with people in positions of power and authority including their own employers. Greater recognition of the onerous responsibility social workers carry on behalf of the rest of society will be demanded along with an assurance that they do not continue to be unfairly victimised and branded by ill-informed commentators as troublemakers who are somehow or another responsible for the complex and challenging problems they dedicate their professional lives to resolving.

A message to incoming Members of the European Parliament will be formulated at the meeting calling for radical measures to put the European 2020 Strategy to eliminate poverty and social exclusion and reduce inequality back on track along with action to ensure that social workers receive the support and resources they require to deliver the high quality of services that all citizens are entitled to expect at times of need.      

16th May 2014

For further information 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

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.

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)