Dear Colleagues,
Dear Friends,
I can not find enough words to
express how much thankfull I feel to the Turkish Association of Social Workers
for the wonderful way they have hosted us all during this conference.
We are all here in the 3rd Ensact
Conference united for Social Action in Europe and together embrassing the aims of
the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development fighting specifically
this year against economical inequalities therefore Promoting Social and
Economical Equalities!
IFSW Europe is well
aware and very concerned about the austerity measures that are affecting the
social work practice in many European countries.
For example social
work associations from countries like Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Italy and
Ireland met recently with the European Commissionaire of Social Affairs to
present a statement against austerity measures that are affecting social
services across Europe.
IFSW Europe
promotes human rights and social justice through meetings, symposiums and that
has happened during this Conference with the IFSW Europe Symposium on “Human
Rights- Theory and Practice for Social Workers. The Symposium gave an
excellent opportunity to discuss the possibilities of building a network in
Human Rights in the European Region.
There were
theoretical contributions about the framework and complaints mechanism of human
rights. Other contributions showed the several realities in different countries
practicing and projects in view of human rights realization.
I would like to
highlight the experience from the Spanish Association of Social Workers defending
the public and qualified system of social services in Spain. They showed in an
impressive way how the campaign “Orange Tide” is fighting for the social rights
of all citizens.
Today I am also wearing
an orange shirt and I invite all social workers in Europe to join me in this
campaign against austerity measures. We strongly believe that austerity
measures can never be a solution for solving the economical crisis in Europe and
cutting services can only contribute for a much higher economical inequality,
so I invite you all to join IFSW Europe raising your voices against social
injustice and cuts in social services.
As Social Workers
we have a lot of knowledge and contribution to help politicians making the best
decisions in finding better ways of dealing with the economical crisis without affecting
the rights of citizens.
IFSW Europe is
supporting this kind of initiatives. Social workers have a responsibility to
promote social justice, in relation to society generally and in relation to the
people with whom they work. Human rights are inseparable from social work
theory, values, ethics and practice. Advocacy of such rights must therefore be
an integral part of social work.
It’s time to come
out, been seen and been heard.
It’s time to react
and intervene.
Thank you for your
attention.
Cristina Martins
President of IFSW
Europe
Sem comentários:
Enviar um comentário