#Throwback to March 21, 2023, when the Department of Social Work, Faculty of Social Science marked the 2023 International Social Work Day with a virtual seminar.
With the theme: Respecting Diversity through Joint Social Action, the seminar was held in collaboration with Star Children Development Initiative. Dr. Samuel Adejoh of the Social Work Department served as Moderator of the Seminar which provided an avenue for the enlightenment of participants including students and social workers, on ways of bringing about structural changes in the society.
In her remarks, the Head, Department of Social Work, Professor Chinwe Nwanna expressed delight that the department was able to organize the seminar, as its contribution to efforts to raise the visibility of social work services.
The Guest Speaker, Mrs. Grace Alexander, who is the CEO and Founder, Star Children Development Initiative and Every Woman Matters UK Summit, highlighted the primary mission of the social work profession.
According to her, “the Social Work profession is to enhance human wellbeing and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed and living in poverty”.
Mrs Alexander explained that the profession’s Code of Ethics covers statement of values and ethical principles relating to human rights, social justice and professional integrity, followed by practice principles that indicate how the ethical principles should be applied to practice.
Her words “the following core values underscore social work’s unique purpose and perspective:
- Service
- Social Justice
- Dignity and worth of the person
- Importance of human relationships
- integrity
- Competence
In a nutshell, Social Workers have ethical responsibilities to colleagues, clients, other professionals in the Social Work practice among others”
Download the presentation by Mrs Alexander below:
At the end of the Guest Speaker’s presentation, participants had the opportunity to ask questions and share their views on the theme of the virtual seminar.
The initiative of celebrating Social Work Day was approved by the International Federation of Social Works (IFSW) at the General meeting in Adelaide in 2004. It is celebrated every third Tuesday of March.
