Dear Friends, I wrote to you 6 months ago saying I was taking a pause to recharge and reconnect: I did this in the context of an incredible but demanding journey of more than 12 years in a central global leadership role and I have now completed a 6-month sabbatical to rejuvenate mind, body, and spirit.
I want to wholeheartedly extend my appreciation for your support during this period. This has allowed me to restock, not only to reflect but to regather my energy. I am now back. My immediate focus over this month will be on supporting the Federation’s committees and commissions, and along with the President coordinating the public statements. After the IFSW General Meeting next month, these foci will naturally expand and change.
During my time away I wish to personally acknowledge the passing of Robyn Corrigan, in September 2023, who played a significant role in advancing and developing the IFSW Indigenous Commission. Also, during this time Munther Amira from the Palestinian Social Workers Union was arrested on allegations that he had published posts inciting violence on Facebook. The prosecution failed to offer any credible evidence to charge him and instead, the Israeli court issued a four-month administrative detention order. (It was confirmed today that Munther has now been released). Many of you will remember Munther’s strong advocacy for both Palestinians and Israelis to have equal rights, freedoms and security. The courage of these exemplary members of IFSW has continued to inspire social workers around the world.
Tragically, during my sabbatical, wars and conflicts have continued. The Western media has mainly focused on Israel, Palestine and Ukraine and it is important to also acknowledge our colleagues in other parts of the world including Yemen, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Nicaragua and Myanmar to name just a few. In each of these places, social workers are working under the most challenging conditions and require ongoing global support in their work in civil society peacebuilding.
We have recorded in recent years within IFSW, the role of social work in helping people co-build sustainable peaceful solutions even in the context of genocidal behaviours. This informs us of the importance of supporting the call by António Guterres’ for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza as a precursor to addressing the underlying issues of the occupation and containment of the Palestinian peoples, and the safety and security of all involved. What is urgently needed is for civil society to work with their governments across the world to recognise Palestine as an independent state alongside Israel. Amidst the terror taking place in Gaza, it creates hope to hear that some governments are already considering this action.
During the last 6 months, I am aware that a number of natural disasters have taken place. In each of these, social workers have been both first responders and are continuing to work with incredible skill in providing longer-term support with their local communities to co-build better environments and well-being than before the crisis.
Looking forward to the month of March we all have the opportunity to learn and share knowledge under the World Social Work Day theme Buen Vivir. This theme was selected intentionally to recognise the contributions and strengths from Indigenous knowledge. It follows on from our first indigenous theme in 2021 on Ubuntu. Harmony and balance are essential for sustainability in our world. This theme addresses the imbalance of inequality, the exploitation of nature and promotes wellbeing by respectfully recognising our interdependence with each other and our environments.
Ahead of us in April is the IFSW General Meeting and Joint World Conference to be held in Panama with online facilities to participate. At the General Meeting there will be opportunities to consider and discuss issues of today and also setting out our expectations and visions for our shared futures. This will include the next stages of Co-Building our New Eco-Social World. As we approach the 100th anniversary of IFSW, and that since 2011 we have nearly doubled in size without any structural change, it is time to consider how we will as a Federation approach the next 100 years of development in this changing world.
It’s good to be back!
Rory