Dear
Colleagues,
Dear Friends,
I can not find enough words to express how much thankfull I feel to the
Turkish Association of Social Workers for the wonderful way they have hosted us
all during this conference.
We are all here in the 3rd Ensact Conference united for Social Action in Europe
and together embrassing the aims of the Global Agenda for Social Work and
Social Development fighting specifically this year against economical inequalities
therefore Promoting Social and Economical Equalities!
IFSW Europe is well aware and very concerned about the
austerity measures that are affecting the social work practice in many European
countries.
For example social work associations from countries
like Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Italy and Ireland met recently with the European
Commissionaire of Social Affairs to present a statement against austerity
measures that are affecting social services across Europe.
IFSW Europe promotes human rights and social justice through
meetings, symposiums and that has happened during this Conference with the IFSW
Europe Symposium on “Human Rights- Theory and
Practice for Social Workers. The Symposium gave
an excellent opportunity to discuss the possibilities of building a network in
Human Rights in the European Region.
There were theoretical contributions about the
framework and complaints mechanism of human rights. Other contributions showed
the several realities in different countries practicing and projects in view of
human rights realization.
I would like to highlight the experience from the
Spanish Association of Social Workers defending the public and qualified system
of social services in Spain. They showed in an impressive way how the campaign
“Orange Tide” is fighting for the social rights of all citizens.
Today I am also wearing an orange shirt and I invite
all social workers in Europe to join me in this campaign against austerity measures.
We strongly believe that austerity measures can never be a solution for solving
the economical crisis in Europe and cutting services can only contribute for a
much higher economical inequality, so I invite you all to join IFSW Europe
raising your voices against social injustice and cuts in social services.
As Social Workers we have a lot of knowledge and
contribution to help politicians making the best decisions in finding better
ways of dealing with the economical crisis without affecting the rights of citizens.
IFSW Europe is supporting this kind of initiatives. Social
workers have a responsibility to promote social justice, in relation to society
generally and in relation to the people with whom they work. Human rights are
inseparable from social work theory, values, ethics and practice. Advocacy of
such rights must therefore be an integral part of social work.
It’s time to come out, been seen and been heard.
It’s time to react and intervene.
Thank you for your attention.
Cristina Martins
President of IFSW Europe
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