The latest edition of the Commonwealth Organisation for Social Work (COSW) Newsletter, published on 14 February 2025, showcases notable developments of interest to the IFSW community.
Among the key highlights, Fiona Robertson, former COSW Honorary Treasurer, was recognised as an Honoured Commonwealth Social Worker in a ceremony held in Christchurch, New Zealand. The award celebrates her longstanding contributions to social work both locally and internationally.
Further strengthening Commonwealth social work leadership, Nathan Chong-Nee, Chief Executive of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW), joined the COSW Board. Chong-Nee brings with him a wealth of experience, particularly in Pacific and Indigenous social work advocacy.
The newsletter also reports on the Association of Social Workers in The Gambia, which has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). The group praised the Gambian National Assembly’s decision to uphold the 2015 ban on FGM/C, while stressing the need for stronger enforcement and community engagement.
Additionally, Charles Mbugua, IFSW representative and COSW Board Member, represented the social work sector at the UN Civil Society Conference in Nairobi. The conference, attended by over 3,000 global delegates, focused on the “Pact for the Future,” addressing issues such as sustainable development, global governance, and youth empowerment.
Finally, COSW’s formal partnership report was presented at the IFSW World Conference in Panama by Board Member David N Jones. The report underlined the collaborative relationship between COSW and IFSW, highlighting joint efforts on social work regulation, health workforce advocacy, and child protection across the Commonwealth.
The full newsletter is available on the COSW website: www.cosw.info/newsletter.