International Events

NASW and international social work leaders attended the 34th Annual Social Work Day at the United Nations in New York City on April 17.For 34 years, students, practitioners, professors, students, NGO representatives, associations and other supporters of the social work profession have convened at the U.N. to learn more about the U.N., innovative projects and issues related to international social work, and the critical role social work plays in the international arena.

This year, the celebration of Social Work Month in the United States incorporated an international flavor. Three organizations representing social work and social development — the International Federation of Social Work, the International Association of Schools of Social Work and the International Council on Social Welfare — issued a statement on The Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development: Commitment to Action.

March 26 is annual Social Work Day at the United Nations. Students, practitioners and educators will convene at the U.N to celebrate the efforts of social workers around the world. NASW President Jeane Anastas will provide opening remarks and help present The Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development to the U.N. secretary general with Gary Bailey, IFSW president and past president of NASW.

Social work was celebrated locally, nationally and around the world in March, also known as National Professional Social Work Month. U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-N.H., a social worker, introduced a resolution that unanimously passed in the House calling for special recognition of the people who “dedicate their time, energy and lives to assisting individuals, families and communities.” The declaration honored “the more than 600,000 people in our country who help improve our society,” Shea-Porter said. U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., also joined in praising the workforce.

Practitioners, educators and students convened on April 6 for the 26th Annual Social Work Day at the United Nations in New York City. The theme for the 2009 program was “Global Poverty: Challenges for Social Work Practice.”