By Paul R. Pace, News staff
NASW again participated in the global meeting of the professional social work and social development association – the International Federation of Social Workers, or IFSW.
Meetings from June 22-26 were in conjunction with the biennial World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development, held in Seoul, South Korea.
NASW President Darrell Wheeler, NASW staff and around 50 NASW members participated in meetings and/or hosted presentations at the events.
“Social Work is practiced on a global stage and being part of this international meeting is an opportunity for our association to share and learn about best practices, challenges to share in setting a global vision for social work with our colleagues and sister associations,” said Wheeler.
As a member of the IFSW, NASW also holds a key position on its executive committee. The U.S., Canada and the Caribbean Social Work Association together constitute the North American Region of IFSW.
Leadership for the North American Region alternates between the presidents of the Canadian and U.S. Associations. This summer, Wheeler was named North American Regional Chair, a two-year term.
In addition to the IFSW meetings, the Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development provides a unique opportunity for NASW as an association to come together with practitioners, policy makers, activist and educators from around the world as they discuss, explore, debate and plan for the provision of social work and social development services, Wheeler noted.
“Being part of this is exciting, invigorating and inspiring,” he said. “This world meeting provides a unique venue where social work — as seen through the international lenses — is unabashedly the sole focus.”
The next World Conference will be held from July 4-7, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland.
“Now is a perfect time to consider making a submission for peer/competitive review or to just plan to attend this powerful global meeting of our professional peers,” Wheeler said.
More information: http://ifsw.org
From the September 2016 NASW News.