Every year on the third Tuesday of March, World Day of Social Work is celebrated. The initiators and organizers of this professional holiday, uniting representatives of social work, in 1983 were: The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and The International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW).
The initiative was supported by the International Social Security Council, as well as national state and non-state social organizations and institutions in more than 140 countries. Russia's participation in the celebration of this day and the implementation of international social programs is carried out thanks to the coordination functions of the Union of Social Teachers and Social Workers of the Russian Federation.
The tasks of social work at the international level include: exchange of experience between structures and representatives of various states on issues of social work and social policy, organization of work based on international standards and legal norms, as well as participation in the development of the social direction of international politics.
Social work is very multifaceted and covers various categories and groups of the population, which determines its focus. The main task of social work is to ensure a certain level and quality of life of citizens through a system of social support and protection measures.
Dividing the focus of social work makes it possible to build programs, working methods, as well as methods of protection and assistance in realizing rights for each specific category of citizens in need of help and support. These areas include: working with children, families, disabled people, pensioners, veterans, people with disabilities (low-income people), children who find themselves in difficult life situations, homeless people, etc. This list is far from complete. It only shows how multifaceted social work is, what important social tasks people directly related to it perform.
Support for the older generation and people with disabilities – is the hope for every person that once in such a situation, he will not be left alone with his problem. This is a solution to the most important problem of insecurity and helplessness that anyone can face in their life. And support for children and family – is the hope and guarantee of the future state. It is no coincidence that the law places such social institutions as motherhood, fatherhood and childhood under the protection of the state.
Drawing the attention of governments and government bodies around the world to the prevention of social insecurity and overcoming social problems every third Tuesday in March every year becomes international in nature, when World Social Work Day is celebrated, which is dedicated to a specific topic every year.
All institutions, bodies and organizations of the social work system hold events dedicated to problems in the field of activity, achievements and successes in overcoming these problems. Round tables, conferences, seminars, concerts and other events are held at local, regional and national levels. Here the successes of individual workers are noted, and experience is exchanged between organizations and structures of social protection bodies.
It is also important to remember that social work is difficult, it requires enormous patience, endurance and professionalism from workers, since its focus is – people; people with their own character, mood, health status, and also problems that need to be helped to solve them.
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