Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH Executive Director

Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, opens 6th International Conference on Health and Mental Health. During her address she noted that social workers are the outreach to areas of vulnerability. She used an Irish saying to describe social work — “Two shortens the road.” For many people who are struggling, social workers are companions and navigators on life’s journey.

She spoke about the resilience of social workers and how important that resilency is for these difficult economic and social times. She noted that there is an increased need for problem solvers in society and encouraged participants to use the conference as an opportunity for cross-fertilization of ideas and solutions.

Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH Executive Director

The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) released their Policy on Health, and Paul Bywaters, a consultant to IFSW presented “Worldwide Challenges for Practice and for Policy-Making” at the 6th International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health in Dublin.

The IFSW Policy on Health includes 7 key points:

1. Health is a key aspect of all social work practice, education, research, and ploicy making and in all settings.

2. Health is not merely the absence of disease, it emcompasses physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing.

3. Health is a central dimension of people’s lives.

4. Health is an issue of fundamental human rights.

5. Health status is primarily determined by social, economic, environmental, and political conditions and is an issue of social equality and justice.

6. Securing and sustaining health depends on local, national and global health and social policies and practices.

7. Securing and sustaining health depends on the concerted actions of intenational institutions, governments, civil society and peoples.

The IFSW policy is a starting point for discussion.  Can we create conditions for action?

The IFSW Policy on Health is available at www.ifsw.org/p38000081.html

At the recent 2010 Joint World Congress on Social Work and Social Development, one of NASW’s presentations focused on successful international collaborations to build social work capacity.  The Congress was held in Hong Kong.  A presentation and poster session were made available to attendees.  The example of the Best Practices in Psychosocial Oncology Exchange between Hungary and the United States of America was used to communicate important foundations and principles for such collaborations.  The Hungary project was undertaken as part of the NASW Foundation’s Social Workers Across Nations (SWAN) initiatives.

At the poster session, social workers from Croatia, Serbia and Thailand expressed interest in the project.  They noted the need for similar projects and resources regarding cancer, palliative and end-of-life care in their countries.  They were  interested in materials that could be made available for translation to help social workers in their communities.

NASW is participating in additional international social work capacity-building collaborations through SWAN, including projects on the continent of Africa.

For more information about NASW’s work in this area, visit http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/intl/default.asp

June 16, 2010

Gary Bailey gave his inaugeral address to the General Assembly of the International Federation of Social Workers this week in Hong Kong. IFSW represents social workers from 90 countries around the globe.

Gary began his remarks by noting that IFSW is a global community of friends who show mutual respect for each other and for the profession of social work around the world Gary emphasized that he stands on the shoulders of giants and outstanding social work leaders like Dr. Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr.

Gary said he felt quite humbled to be given such a leadership opportunity, and he quoted Civil Rights legend Whitney Young when he assumed his new role: “The truth is that there is nothing noble in being superior to someone else.. The only real nobility is in being superior to your former self.”

A Past-President of NASW, Gary is the first African-American president of IFSW. He said he is used to “firsts” and described his heritage as a major factor in his achievements. He noted that as the great-grandson of slaves, and as the son of parents who worked under very difficult and harsh conditions in the south, Gary learned both the need and the obligation to help others. He ended his address with his favorite quote by Tagore: “I dreamt of joy. I acted and behold, service was my joy.”

Two previous NASW leaders held the office of IFSW President. Chauncey Alexander, an Executive Director of NASW, and Susan Dworak Peck, a former President of NASW, both played pivitol roles in the development and advancement of international social work. Sue Peck is the lifetime Ambassador to IFSW, and she was present at the meeting. Current NASW President Jim Kelly and NASW Executive Director Betsy Clark also attended the event.

NASW congratulates Gary on this wonderful achievement.

For more information about IFSW, please visit www.ifsw.org.

Elizabeth Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH
NASW Executive Director

The World Congress of Social Work, which was held in Hong Kong, has concluded. The three sponsoring organizations — the International Federation of Social Workers, (IFSW),  International Association of School Social Workers (IASSW) and International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW) — are now meeting individually. NASW-USA is a member of the IFSW.

The World Congress started the collective process for setting a common global agenda to unite all those in social work and social development. The four major themes of the agenda will be:

• Social and economic inequalities
• Dignity and worth of the individual
• Environmental sustainability
• Importance of human relationships across the lifespan

There will be continuing discussion and strategy development. The next major action point will occur during World Social Work Day on Match 15, 2011.

For more information visit www.ifsw.org

Harold House - NASW Public Citizen of the Year

Dr. S. Megan Berthold - 2009 NASW Social Worker of the Year

State Representative Ruth Balser - NASW Public Elected Official of the Year

All interested LGBT social workers are invited to publish a personal profile on the National Association of Social Workers’ web site for the general public www.HelpStartsHere.org. NASW membership is not required.

Just e-mail your responses to the following questions along with an electronic photo to Theresa Spinner in the NASW Communications Department at tspinner@naswdc.org by Friday, May 28, 2010.  Ms. Spinner will send you a draft of your submission for your review and approval. Ms. Spinner will then upload your information to the site.  Let her know you found this appeal on the NASW Pressroom blog.

Q. Where did you earn your social work degree, what is your area of specialization, and where are you employed?

Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?

Q. If you could resolve just one ongoing challenge affecting the LGBT community what would that be and how would you go about it?

Last year’s Pride Month submissions were extremely well received by visitors to the site. We received many heart felt compliments from members of the community who appreciated seeing social workers like themselves represented. You can see the complete list of profiles by clicking here.

The Social Work Career Center and NASW Press is offering 15% off the publications below until June 30, 2010:

• An Author’s Guide to Social Work Journals, 5th edition
• The Results Are In: What Social Workers Say About Social Work
• Workforce Trends Affecting the Profession 2009
• What Social Workers Do, 2nd Edition
• Social Work Career Development, 2nd Edition
• Social Work Speaks, 8th Edition

Please use code WMCC10 for this promotion.

In this statement, he recognizes the strengths of children and youth in foster care as well as former foster youth. President Obama also acknowledges the child welfare workforce and foster parents dedicated to meeting the needs of children and youth in foster care. To read the full proclamation, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-national-foster-care-month

Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH
NASW Executive Director

We use the word “great” casually in our every day speech. Depending on how the word is expressed, it can be a synonym for “ok,” or “good,” or as a cynical substitute for disappointment or negativity. Seldom do we hear the word “great” used as its orginal definition intended– markedly superior in character.

What constitutes greatness?   It could be courage, brilliance, goodness, ability, power, or a combination of those traits.   For me, greatness is defined by the name Dorothy Irene Height who died on April 20 at age 98. Her eulogy and all of the tributes to her in the past week, have recalled a great woman, a great activist, a great leader and a great force. She was all of those things. She was also a great social worker and the recipient of NASW’s 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award in Social Work.

I had the honor of co-chairing the Intercultural Cancer Council’s Height Jury which selected individuals  to receive an award in her honor which recognized individuals with significant achievements in addressing the unequal burden of cancer borne by underrepresented individuals. I also was honored to give a social work tribute for Dr. Height when she was inducted into the Democracy Hall of Fame in 2004. As a result, I had the wonderful privilege  of meeting with Dr. Height several times over the past decade. Each time I knew I was in the presence of greatness.  The best way I can describe it is that she had a greatness of spirit and a greatness of purpose. Each time I came away  renewed and enriched.  Just being with her made me feel that I could do more, should do more. She had that effect on people.

Dr. Height wasn’t simply a part of history; she created history. She spent her career and her life working to make this world a better place. Her focus included civil rights, women’s rights and human rights. Her counsel was sought by individuals, organizations, communities and presidents. At the time of her death, she was the Board Chair of the Legislative Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and she was Emerita President of the National Council of Negro Women. She was also an ardent supporter of the social work legislation named in her honor–the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young Social Work Reinvestment Act (H.R. 795/S. 686).

The funeral service for Dr. Height ended with the gospel song, “This Little Light of Mine (I’m Gonna Let it Shine).” May the light of Dorothy. I. Height live on, and may her beacon reach every one of us and reinforce our purpose and our profession so that we can honor and further the legacy she left us.