FIAS EUROPA - DIREITOS DOS ASSISTENTES SOCIAIS

Comunicado da FIAS Europa sobre Refugiados

European Governments ignore the social and human rights of refugees

IFSW Europe is the voice of the social work profession across Europe. The federation is deeply concerned about the way that European governments are responding to the problem of refugees especially with those coming from North Africa and the Middle East. We demand that all European governments play an active role in the humane treatment of people who are coming due to war, terror and persecution.

No part of Europe should look away when people are dying on their way to a safe place. It is not acceptable that a large sum of money is spent to build border protection systems. The governments of Europe have been inconsistent in their relations with the dictators in that region.

Countries in North Africa and the Middle East are in a period of substantial upheaval and do not have the capacity to afford the care that is required by such a large number of refugees. In the last few months 400,000 people fled from Libya into neighbouring countries.

Thousands of refugees from Libya are in refugee camps in Tunisia and there is no way out for them. More and more refugees are arriving in Turkey. Refugees try to come by boat to Italy and other Mediterranean countries. Often tragedies happen as people take refuge from persecution.

Europe closes its borders with the support of Frontex. The facilities for refugees provided within the Mediterranean border countries have exceeded their capacity with the result that the camps are overcrowded and forcing people to live in situations which violate human rights. Secondly, many European Governments focus their efforts on keeping refugees out which result in refugees being returned to countries where their human rights will again be abused.

We believe that concerted action by all European governments is required. The first action would be to withdraw cooperation with those Middle East and North African regimes that deny human rights.

Human rights organisations report that people who were sent back have been tortured and imprisoned. During the last few weeks more than 1,000 people have died as a result of demonstrating for democracy. We demand that all governments adopt protection orientated policies in relation to their responsibilities to respond appropriately to the needs of refugees.

Social work is a profession built on human rights. As such, IFSW Europe believes that European Governments must ensure that social workers are involved in work with refugees. Here it is important to recognise that social workers must not be placed in a position where they are expected to breech the professional code of ethics.

European Governments promote a climate of fear in their own countries. This encourages people to focus on defensiveness rather than inclusiveness and solutions. Right now Europe is failing to address the situation of refugees. It is vital that European governments work together to find a way to positively address the current situation with refugees.

Contact: Nicolai Paulsen, President of the IFSW European Region [International Federation of Social Workers – Europe e.V.]

E-mail: vpeur@ifsw.org

Cell phone: + 45 40 56 19 59

Web: www.ifsw.org/europe

SOCIAL WORK IS - DVD - IFSW Europe e.V.

Mensagem para os Colegas da Noruega da FIAS Europa

Of absolutely undesirable reasons, our thoughts go these days to our friends and colleagues in FO (the Norwegian member organisation). Hoping that all FO colleagues are unharmed. Hoping that the social workers, who are to help in the current crisis phase, which many Norwegian families so brutally are thrown into, are able to provide a solid professional performance.

Brutal acts committed by a mad extremist challenge our thoughts and life values. Solidarity for and with our closest friends, neighbors and colleagues feel, however, only strengthened many fold. As many others have expressed it yesterday and today, what has happened can only reinforce the belief that solidarity and democracy are the answers to a peaceful coexistence of humanity locally, regionally and globally.

Warm thoughts - from the Executive Committee of IFSW Europe

Nicolai Paulsen

President of the IFSW European Region

[International Federation of Social Workers – Europe e.V.]

E-mail: vpeur@ifsw.org

Cell phone: + 45 40 56 19 59

Web: http://www.ifsw.org/

IFSW STATEMENT ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

IFSW STATEMENT ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

IFSW Europe, meeting in Brussels on 8-10 April 2011 is seriously concerned about the financial crisis affecting all the countries of Europe and the radical changes in social services and social protection arrangements which governments are imposing on our communities, with damaging consequences for poorer and marginalised people.

IFSW Europe points to the fact that Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is upheld by all countries in Europe, states (among other rights) that ‘Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.’

Social workers across Europe know from daily experience that the continent faces a major social crisis with growing anger/anxiety, fear and poverty.  Social workers also see that the biggest impact of the crisis is on the weakest members of the community, including older people, children, people with disabilities and those with few skills, all of whom have rights under the Declaration.

European social workers meeting together also observe that the crisis is threatening European solidarity.  There are growing divisions between richer and poorer countries and between richer and poor people within countries which have a damaging impact on community cohesion and on marginalised groups.

IFSW Europe calls on the European Union, Council of Europe and national governments and global bodies to uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights (and other related international instruments) and in particular the right to social support and social services.

IFSW Europe calls on individual social workers and their employing agencies to uphold the values and ethics of the profession and to support the civil, political, social, and cultural rights of service users.

IFSW Europe calls on national member organisations to monitor the commitment of social work agencies to human rights, to take action to publicise human rights abuses and to challenge agencies when they fail to uphold human rights

IFSW Europe invites our ENSACT, Social Platform and other partners to work jointly with us in this field and to promote education and research in this field.

IFSW Europe calls on all schools of social work to ensure that all students do at least one project in the area of human rights.

IFSW Europe will provide support to national organisations to help them support social workers to promote the human rights of service users and the rights of social workers.

Contact: Nicolai Paulsen, President of the IFSW European Region [International Federation of Social Workers – Europe e.V.]

E-mail: vpeur@ifsw.org Cell phone: + 45 40 56 19 59 Web: www.ifsw.org/europe

THE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE FINANCIAL CRISIS

THE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE FINANCIAL CRISIS

“We don’t pay for your crisis”

The financial crisis is a result of financial systems disregarding social responsibilities and social investments.

The financial crisis has had serious social consequences in Europe and becomes even more important with pronounced aggravation of the crisis in the latest year. The accelerating problems of debt in Greece and Ireland together with common developments in other countries can create a new and dangerous situation which can worsen the social problems because of stern social cuts.

1.              People who are marginalised are disproportionately affected by the economic crisis – for example, older people, women, young people and working poor (stories can be used to illustrate this). We want Governments to look at the impact of all cuts to ensure that the impact is not disproportionate. Decisions must be openly discussed in society and the decisions made must be sustainable.

2.              The impact of the financial crisis is different in the different regional areas of Europe. National organisations need to strengthen their position in cooperation with other progressive organisations and institutions. Social workers at a National level must work effectively within their country in the current economic climate. National organisations should also work together to strengthen our voice across Europe and the world.

3.              The workload of social workers has increased as a direct result of the impact of the financial crisis. This is not sustainable and will lead to unsafe practice. Governments need to ensure that the International standards for social work (see the standards) are implemented to ensure high quality and safe practice.

4.              One of the responses to the financial crisis is to cut down on preventative and early intervention services in social care. Preventative services have a long term impact which is usually outside of the life of a Government. A focus on services which provide short term outcomes is politically driven rather than driven by the needs of society. A lack of sustained investment in social care has detrimental long term consequences for society. Cuts and a lack of investment now will lead to greater expenditure later. Society needs Governments to take a long term view to funding social care. We need to invest now.

5.              The financial crisis has led to Governments introducing indicators and measures based on financial concerns rather than social cohesion, social justice and social wellbeing. Social workers need to strengthen their voice based on evidence and information. As an organisation the International Federation of Social Workers provides a forum for the sharing of information and evidence. This should be used by National organisations to develop indicators and measurements. Governments must take in account the experience of service users and social workers. Social policy makers must focus on the needs of people and society.

6.              Marginalised people are often not able or allowed to vote. They have therefor no or very little political power. Marginalised people need to develop a collective voice which will be heard by politicians. Social workers should seek to support people to develop more political power.

7.              The countries of Europe do have sufficient money to meet the needs of their citizens. The issue is about Governments choosing how the money is spent. Social workers need to work together to develop a clear argument for investment in social care and welfare services.

8.              In modern times people focus on individuals (themselves) more.  The financial crisis has exaggerated this trend in society. There is a loss of interest in community and common good. We have lost a sense of social solidarity. Social work which focuses on individuals and not society is exaggerating this problem. Social work should be proactive in reclaiming group and community work as effective social work models.

9.              Social workers serve the most vulnerable people who need the greatest priority at the time of economic crisis. Social workers pay and conditions should be protected from cuts with the social work profession rewarded at a similar level to other valued professions.

Contact: Nicolai Paulsen, President of the IFSW European Region [International Federation of Social Workers – Europe e.V.]

E-mail: vpeur@ifsw.org Cell phone: + 45 40 56 19 59 Web: www.ifsw.org/europe

Inauguração do Arquivo do ISMT‏

InauguraDo Arquivo do ISMT - 22 de Junho de 2011

 

O Arquivo do Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, constituído por duas salas (uma de arquivo geral e uma de consulta), inclui, entre outros documentos, Processos de Alunos, Livros de Termos, Relatórios, Livros, Revistas, e ainda, um espólio de elevada importância pela sua antiguidade, que retrata os setenta e quatro anos de existência do Instituto e que constituirá certamente uma importante fonte de consulta e de investigação. A organização deste arquivo resultou do trabalho desenvolvido pelas Secções Académica e de Expediente e Arquivo, sob a coordenação da Chefe de Secção, Senhora Dª. Margarida Filipe.