Message to our Danish Colleagues

Message to our Danish Colleagues
Following the terrorist attacks that took place last Saturday in the city of Copenhagen, our thoughts go these days to our friends and colleagues in DS, the Danish Association of Social Workers, our member organisation.
We are hoping that all Danish colleagues are unharmed.
We are hoping also that the social workers, who are to help in the current crisis phase (which has affected the life of people from Copenhagen and all Denmark) can provide the professional support to those in need.
We extend condolences to the families of the victims.
We express our solidarity with our closest friends and colleagues in Denmark.
As social workers, we can only reinforce the belief that solidarity and democracy are the answers to a peaceful coexistence of humanity locally, regionally and globally.
Warm Regards - from the Executive Committee of IFSW Europe

19.02.2015

Statement of IFSW Europe e.V. on Paris attack – JE SUIS CHARLIE

Statement of IFSW Europe e.V. on Paris attack – JE SUIS CHARLIE

It was in deep shock that we saw the news yesterday, January 7th, released by the media, of the terrorist attack to the headquarters of the newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris.

This was a barbarian attack that put an end to the most basic human right - the right to life. These are acts that, as social workers, we reject under any circumstances. No reason (be it religious, ideological, political, racial or other) can justify terrifying and criminal acts like this.

Social work is a profession of Human Rights which is based on principles and values that respect human dignity, recognize the right to freedom at all levels including the right to free expression of ideas, in writing, or any other creative field.

IFSW Europe, representing the Social Workers across Europe, deeply regrets the deaths of journalists and other Charlie Hebdo workers, sending heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

We express our solidarity with the Parisian people and the whole of France, and particularly the journalistic community.

A word of comfort and strength to our French social worker colleagues and friends at this time of pain, grief and anger. Your work in times of crisis such as this is of paramount importance and extremely valid.

IFSW Europe raises its voice in defense of Democracy and Freedom and joins the movement of France already widespread throughout the world:

JE SUIS CHARLIE

8th January 2015

Cristina Martins, 

President of the IFSW European Region 

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


IFSW Europe: European Social Worker #2/12-2014

Dear Colleagues,

Please find attached the latest edition of the European Social Worker.
http://ifsw.org/wp-cont…/uploads/…/12/REVISTA-IFSW-2-low.pdf
We hope you enjoy reading it.

Best wishes,

Cristina Martins

President of the IFSW European Region  

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

Seasons Greetings from IFSW Europe

IFSW Europe would like to send Seasons Greetings to All Social Workers.
Please see our card attached.
We hope you enjoy the season in peace, love, health and happiness.
With best wishes, 
Cristina Martins
President of the IFSW European Region
[International Federation of Social Workers – Europe e.V.]

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN MACEDONIA ,,THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERSPECTIVES OF SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL POLICY"

Armenian Association of Social Workers celebrates Social Work day in Armenia

On November 11^th, Armenia celebrated National Social Work Day. 

To mark the day, the Armenian Association of Social Workers, in collaboration with Armenia’s Ministry of Labor and Social Issues and Yerevan State University, jointly presented We Are Together: A Celebration of Social Services in Armenia. The day was exceptional and we are honored to share that Mrs. Mira Antonyan, President of the Armenian Association of Social Workers, was bestowed with the Prime Minister’s Award for her contributions to the social work field during the opening ceremony. 

 

With over 500 decision makers, policy makers, representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations, and students in attendance, We Are Together celebrated the accomplishments of social workers, facilitated networking and collaboration between social services, and provided an opportunity for students to learn more about their profession. Many important civil society figures were in attendance, including Prime Minister Mr. Hovik Abrahamian, and the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Mr. Artem Asatryan. 

 

The attendance of these figures shows the growing acknowledgment of the importance of professional social work in Armenia. The government of Armenia (RA) is currently involved and interested in reforms within the social work field, as social work in Armenia has an immediate window of opportunity for positive change. Since Armenia’s system of social service provision is under active reformation, the presence of social service agencies and government officials provided an opportunity for vested interests to examine the current process of social reforms and to search for mutually agreeable, cohesive solutions. Such improvements will support RA in the revision of social sector legislation, facilitate smoother donor cooperation in the social field, and improve solidarity within the field. 

 

Throughout the day, interested parties had the opportunity to see what individual social work organizations are doing to improve social services in Armenia by visiting the Exhibition of Social Services. Over 30 organizations from all social service sectors presented themselves in an interactive format. The AASW, for instance, asked social workers passing by their booth to share their thoughts on the meaning of social work in Armenia. 

You can see the thought-provoking results here and you can also see some photos of the celebration here:

In the afternoon, AASW organized a Conference titled “Towards Social Services in Armenia”, which focused on issues Armenian social work faces today: the integration of social services, the educational sectors role in social services, and the continuing education of social workers. With over 200 participants, the conference’s working groups achieved the goal of promoting recognition, collaboration, and mutual support between the government and social service agencies. AASW plans to use the results of the conference, created through the collaboration of experts including political leaders, officials, social service providers, and members of the academia, to produce policy briefs to address the future of social work in Armenia.

Journal Social Services and Social Policy - "Social Journalism Award" 2014, given by the Foundation Ineprodes Group‏

Dear colleagues,

I am glad to inform you that our scientific journal Social Services and Social Policy has been recognized with the "Social Journalism Award" 2014, given by the Foundation Ineprodes Group. The award ceremony will be held on November 11^th.  Kindly, find more information on the Social Journalism Award on the following link http://fundacion.grupoineprodes.com/?p=36

The editorial board of the journal would like to thank all the Social Work Professional Associations, especially those who are already subscribers, for your support. We are deeply grateful to all professional associations because the work of the journal would not have been possible without their cooperation.  Thanks to their contributions, the journal features experiences and researches of each Autonomous Community, and the professionals’ members have access to the printed scientific journal with the largest circulation in Spain.

We also gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the colleagues from other Journals on Social Work, writers, members of the Scientific Committees Advise, and in general to all of you who collaborate in the Journal.  The success of the Journal is a reflection of all your work.

Warm regards,

Ana I. Lima Fernández / Carmen Verde Diego
Revista y Publicaciones – CONSEJO GRAL. TRABAJO SOCIALPremio 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 MadridTel: (+34) 91 541.57.76-77 consejo@cgtrabajosocial.eshttp://www.cgtrabajosocial.es

IFSW Europe Key documents - Executive Members Work Portfolio & Connecting Members Project

IFSW EUROPEAN CONFERENCE 2015 - EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Statement of IFSW Europe: Social Work for Peace and Self-Determination – Peace is the way

Peace is the way to freedom and self-determination for every human being. Everyone has a right to be free and freedom is a precondition of sustainable peace.

Social Workers are committed to the realisation of Human Rights and Social Justice. Therefore we are against all kinds of abuse and violence that endanger the full achievement of people’s basic needs. Situations of armed conflict almost inevitably result in the injury, death or violation of the rights of innocent and defenseless citizens of all ages.

The European Region of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) calls on all social workers and member organisations across Europe to join the IFSW global campaign to promote change in the Middle East, which has been so affected for decades by never ending conflict between Palestine and Israel. A ceasefire should be the beginning of a process that has a vision for sustained peace based on social and economic equalities for all in the region.

As social workers witnessing the atrocities recently televised worldwide, we have a duty to demand that the UN send a sizeable peacekeeping force to Gaza provided with the best equipment to put an end to the use of weapons by either country that are indiscriminately targeting population centres and places where civilians have taken refuge. Such action should be taken in conjunction with humanitarian aid and the resources to restore essential services, rebuild homes and communities and of course the necessary negotiations to secure a permanent solution to this longstanding conflict.

Social Workers are united in diversity and have the mission and the duty to assist politicians and other decision makers to find solutions for a better world where all are respected regardless of their history, cultures, religion, race, etc.

We support our members in Palestine and Israel in their efforts to promote peace based on social work principles.

Violence leads to more violence and human rights are compromised.

“There is no way to peace; peace is the way.” Mahatma Gandhi

15th August 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

Link to statement

Public statement by the British Association of Social Workers, concerning the humanitarian disaster currently taking place in Gaza

This is a public statement by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW), concerning the humanitarian disaster currently taking place in Gaza.

The United Nations has unequivocally condemned recent Israeli government actions, and we believe that it is time for the whole international community to act decisively, including the international community of social workers.

The majority of the Gazan population are refugees and we note the International Federation of Social Workers policy statement on refugees in which it states: “The social work profession accepts its share of responsibility for responding to the distress of refugees”. Social workers in Gaza are fulfilling their responsibility, for example in the Rapid Response Team set up by the Palestine Trauma Centre. However, they are working in desperately hard circumstances and they need firm support. As social workers around the world, we need to act on this responsibility ourselves.

We therefore welcome the lead taken by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) in responding to this disaster, in particular by their statements of 28 July and 2 August 2014. In the more recent statement, the IFSW calls on its members to develop their own campaigns at a national level, and this statement signifies BASW’s intent to do just this, here in the United Kingdom.

We have also been contacted by our professional colleagues in the Palestinian Union of Social Workers and Psychologists (PUSWP), who have asked for our support by making clear our own position as social workers in the UK. We are pleased to do so and to stand in solidarity with our Palestinian colleagues.

The British Association of Social Workers joins with our IFSW colleagues in being appalled by Israel’s attacks on Gaza and its ongoing illegal occupation of Palestinian land. While we condemn all indiscriminate attacks on civilians, the scale of the actions of the Israeli government forces, especially the shelling of UNWRA schools and the killing of children while they sleep, in supposedly safe places, is grossly disproportionate. We are appalled by the many violations of human rights that are taking place in Gaza, leading to ever-rising numbers of deaths and serious injuries, particularly among the civilian population. We condemn Israel’s attacks on people’s homes, hospitals and even on children while they play on the beach.

We call for an end to Israel’s aggression, a lifting of the blockade of Gaza and the end of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.

We believe too that the Israel Association of Social Workers have a particular responsibility to act, and we urge them to make their voices heard in Israel and abroad in opposition to what their government is inflicting on the people in Gaza.

We were saddened and angered to hear of the killing of Hashem Khader Abu Maria, a social worker at Defence for Children International (Palestine Section), who lived in Beit Ummar in the West Bank. He was shot dead by Israeli forces while participating in a peaceful demonstration against Israel’s assault on Gaza. Hashem was instrumental in setting up the Hebron branch of PUSWP, who once hosted a visit by BASW members. We send our condolences to Hashem’s family and to his social work colleagues.

As social workers in the UK, we will be turning our attention to our own government and institutions, in relation to the occupation of Palestinian land and the current intensification of the Israeli government’s attacks. We call on the British government to condemn Israel’s actions as grossly disproportionate, to support any motions at the United Nations condemning Israel’s aggression or calling for an end to the blockade of Gaza and the occupation of Palestinian land, and to stop all arms sales to Israel.

We will be making direct contact with our elected representatives, and we encourage individual social workers, whether or not you are members of BASW, to take similar action.

We look forward to a time when there can be a just peace in the region, and we hope that as social workers, drawing on our principles of human rights and social justice, we can play our part in such an outcome.

Guy Shennan                         Maggie Mellon                         Bridget Robb

BASW Chair                            Vice Chair                           Chief Executive

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.