World Social Work Day 2021 at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences (KSH) in Munich
World Social Work Day—the most important day of the year for the social work profession—is celebrated annually worldwide. It serves to celebrate the profession’s valuable work for individuals and society. This year, World Social Work Day took place on March 16 and focused on the topic ‘#Ubuntu: I am, because we are’. Due to the corona pandemic, all events were held virtually. Professor Kathrin Franziska Beck (Professor for Youth Work and Social Work in Schools at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences Munich) asked her students via the digital platform Padlet about their motives for becoming a social worker. The result was 65 personal and inspiring answers.
Several statements reflected that the students wish to contribute to making ‘the world a better place’; while doing so was considered ‘a big thing’, one student clarified that one has ‘to start somewhere’. Several students stated that they ‘feel extremely privileged’ and would like ‘to give something back to society and support people who have not been as fortunate’ as they have been, and they hope to use their ‘privileges wisely’. In addition, several students wrote that they would like a job at which they can do ‘something meaningful’. They stated that they ‘want to change lives for the better’, would like to ‘embrace a safe environment for children so they can grow up in a hopefully more sustainable future’ and want to be ‘closer to the real world’.
In the spirit of #Ubuntu and sharing the outcome of the #WSWD2021 from the KSH student’s personal and inspiring answers from Padlet, showing their compassion and empathy. Enjoy!
