The Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development started in 2010 when 3000 social work representatives and social development professionals came together to set the priorities for the profession until 2020. This significantly successful period of the Global Agenda has been an essential voice in proactively setting and fulfilling the Sustainable Developmental Goals, working towards more peaceful and just societies and strengthening the voice of the social work profession.
Now, the social work profession needs to examine new themes and processes to expand the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development for the years 2020 to 2030. From IFSW, we are launching a consultation process, where your input is essential to build a robust and inclusive Global Agenda that meets the real needs of all people. The consultation period will end in July 2020.
Please make your contributions to the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development 2020 – 2030 by filling in the comments box at the bottom of this page.
To see the reports of the Global Agenda from 2010 to 2018 please visit the IFSW Bookstore where you can download the reports for free. Below is a video message from the IFSW President Silvana Martinez and Secretary-General Rory Truell providing some examples of the success of the Global Agenda and inviting all people interested in the development of social work to participate in the consultation process. The video is subtitled in both Spanish and English.
Comments Section
Please leave any comments on your proposed Global Agenda themes for 2020 to 2030 and any suggestions for how to integrate the themes across the decade which also allows the Global Agenda process to effectively respond to any unforeseen social issues that may arise.
I am writing from Canada. I believe that an important issue that should be on the Global Agenda is vicarious trauma (along with PTSD and professional burn-out). This is a topic that is discussed throughout social work education (in Canada) but seems to be dismissed throughout professional practice.
I am Canadian social work student. Currently, I work as a support worker and an educational assistant, working with those living with a disability. A re-occurring theme I have noticed, is the relationship between education, perpetuating neoliberal values and perspectives and views on Indigenous peoples and communities. First, I need to acknowledge that I am a white person living in a primarily white town. Working in the schools has shown me how schools play a part in perpetuating neoliberal teachings. That is, our society begins to indoctrinate neoliberal thinking, very young. Furthermore, any teachings of indigenous history or culture is superficial and pose these communities, primarily, as victims of history. the rich culture and strengths are not highlighted. Also, discrimination against indigenous peoples is frequently posed as a thing of the past. Education is an essential aspect of social action and change in society.
Hello, I am a Bachelor of Social Work student from Dalhousie University.
A theme that I am fondly in support of is the protection and liberation of the (dis)Ability culture, and the action of dismantling barriers that prevent access to work, accommodation, and inclusion. To this day, it is apparent that people living with (dis)Abilities are still neglected opportunities in their communities and continue to struggle to have their voices heard and acted upon. Meaningful living can be demonstrated by purpose driven work and activity, work and activity that provides someone the opportunity to contribute in the attainment of their own goal(s). Speaking towards access of employment, accommodated work settings, and workforce inclusion, in the 21st century, people with (dis)Abilities are still waiting on an informed society that understands what the (dis)Ability culture is and what the culture requires to be empowered. Once informed, the dominant society must begin to take more action in promoting inclusive practices, and to change and implement policies that permit greater opportunities for people with (dis)Abilities in job acquisition and job obtainment. I feel that in North America, with such a large demographic of people living with (dis)Abilities, it is imperative that the IFSW attends to the concerns of the (dis)Ability culture.
It is challenging narrowing down a theme when so many varied social issues come to mind. At first, I was going to make suggestions thinking of Canada, then reconsidered since it is for the International Federation of Social Workers.
That being said, I thought of a Youth in Focus theme. The idea is that different sub-areas can be explored including cyberbullying (& bullying), social entrepreneurship, mental health, and obesity.
When we guide the youth of today, it helps to shape our societies of tomorrow.
I am a Bachelor of Social Work student. I would like the Global Agenda for Social Work 2020-2030 to include programs that will inform the citizens and the world at large of the profession and how we can make a global change to social problems that are affecting children, women, men, elderly, youth and people with disabilities especially mental health, make the world without discrimination of any sort. I would also like to see social work that supports indigenous and people of color.
Hello, I am a social work student from Canada. We were asked for an Advanced Social Work course to learn about this initiative and contribute to it. From reading others comments, there are a lot of good discussions with varying perspectives happening and ideas being discussed here from women’s rights to how to manage poverty to education to refugee rights and working to eliminate human trafficking. These are all great points and ideas that I agree need to be looked at globally as well as locally.
In my opinion, however, the first step is working with local governments to make social work and social welfare issues an actual priority for politicians and something worth putting monies towards. In Canada, I find efforts are made, and at election time, this is a focus, but once elected, promises are not kept and programs are eliminated without receiving a chance to succeed or see a difference. People are looking for quick fixes that do not take into consideration the intergenerational traumas and experiences that are behind things like chronic poverty, spousal abuse, involvement with human trafficking etc. I think if this becomes a priority it will then extend to international and global social work where more wealthy nations can help support international or global issues in a more constructive and hopefully long lasting way.
I am a social work student in Canada and believe globalization is an important topic of concern that should be further discussed. Globalization benefits already wealthy countries by exploiting the lives and resources of poorer countries, mostly within the global south. These practices harm indigenous communities and their environment, which impacts people’s health, resources, vegetation, and water. Globalization, and the purchase and selling of weapons have also contributed to war and strife in various regions, such as the Middle East. This is all done for the “economic growth” of a few countries. I believe globalization should be considered a continuation of colonialism and be furhter discussed.