The workshop was a key opportunity for practicing social workers, social work students, faculty, research scholars, government interveners and policy makers to learn from experts in the field of child rights. Experts from the field shared knowledge gained through field work, research and good practices in Government, Non Government and International Organizations to combat, rescue, repatriate and rehabilitate child labour and victims of child trafficking and promote active engagement of children in education and development as their right.
Issues ranging from identification of vulnerable children & families, SDGs, Indian legal frameworks & policies that are concerned with child rights and protection, sensitising the local community and community mobilization, migration, advocacy, role of government & non- government organisations and other related subjects were discussed at great length during various plenary sessions, open house session & group discussions.At the end of the workshop participants gave their feedback, suggestions and recommendations with respect to the day’s deliberations.
This was the first workshop conducted by INPSWA in collaboration with IFSW and other Indian organizations.
On 9th January 2018, under the banner of INPSWA, KAPSW in association with Dept. of Sociology and Social Work, CHRIST( Deemed to be University ) organised a guest talk on `Role of Social Workers in Realising Sustainable Developmental Goals’ by Datuk Dr.Denison JayasooriaPJN,Ph.D, Adjunct Professor (Social Development), College of Arts & Social Science, Northern University of Malaysia (UUM). He is also Co-Chair, Malaysian CSO -SDG Alliance & Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA), University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
Dr.Denison presented and shared insights on Sustainable Development Goals and Social Work Practice: Opportunities and Challenges for Social Work Practice in Malaysia. He acquainted faculties and students with the importance of SDGs especially for developing countries. He explained about the 3 dimensions of sustainable development- economic, social and development and the importance of NGOs and Civil Society in achieving SDGs. He shared his views about 17 SDGs in Malaysian context. Dr. Denison also highlighted five areas of critical importance- people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership. He also mentioned importance of social workers in realizing SDGs and basic social work values. The presentation also consisted of SDG target group. Dr Denison concluded his session by pointing out social work challenges to achieve SDGs in Malaysia.
All the member associations celebrate World Social Work Day every year by inviting subject experts to speak on the prevailing theme. The other activities organized on this day include pledge taking, public awareness campaigns, street theatres, processions & marches, exhibitions,theme-based poster competitions, quiz competitions, cultural programs, etc.
In 2017 INPSWA bid for the IFSW – AP Joint Regional Social Work Conference 2019 & the Association is delighted to state that both IFSW & APASWE during APSW Conference held at Shenzhen, China in October 2017 approved the bid request by INPSWA to organize the IFSW – AP Regional Social Work Conference 2019. The Conference is now scheduled to be held from 17thSeptember, 2019 ( Pre – Conference Seminar) & the main conference from 18th– 20th September, 2019 on the theme ` Social Work Partnerships towards an Equal Society – Asia-Pacific Perspective’.