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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DSWD, ASEAN representatives conclude reg'l consultation to strengthen role of social workers

DSWD, ASEAN representatives conclude reg'l consultation to strengthen role of social workers

Published Feb 22, 2023 05:36 pm
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Vilma Cabrera, as the Philippine Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD) Leader, chairs the ASEAN Inter-Sectoral Consultation to enhance the Regional Guidance on Strengthening the Role of Social Work and the wider Social Service Workforce in Health and the Justice System via online platform on Feb. 7-8, 2023. (DSWD PHOTO)

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the focal agency representing the Philippines in the ASEAN Sectoral Body on Social Welfare and Development, successfully concluded a virtual consultation in collaboration with the ASEAN Social Work Consortium and ASEAN Secretariat on Feb. 7 and 8.

The goal of the ASEAN Inter-Sectoral Consultation was to gather feedback and input from participants to enhance the Draft Regional Guidance on Strengthening the Role of Social Workers and the Wider Social Service Workforce in Health and the Draft Regional Guidance on Strengthening the Role of Social Workers and the Wider Social Service Workforce in the Justice System.

With the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, the virtual forum was attended by members of the ASEAN Social Work Consortium, representatives from related ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, ASEAN Secretariat, UNICEF and other agencies of the UN, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian expressed his support for the goal of the activity during the opening of the consultation.

“Consistent with our commitment to the Hanoi Declaration on Strengthening Social Work towards a cohesive and responsive ASEAN community, and its accompanying ASEAN roadmap, the Philippines remains to be a strong advocate for the progressive strengthening of social workers and the wider social service workforce recognizing their valuable contribution in the promotion and protection of the marginalized and vulnerable sectors of the society,” Gatchalian said.

The Hanoi Declaration on Strengthening Social Work adopted by the state leaders during the 37th ASEAN Summit in November 2020, was considered being the first regional framework for social work to accelerate the collective action for the strengthening, recognition, and advancement of social work in ASEAN.

“Aiming for the standard and responsive delivery of social services to uplift the quality of life of all people in the ASEAN region, particular attention is needed to plan, develop and support its workforce. A well-defined and evidence-based frameworks and strategies will ensure that the social workers and the wider social service workforce are prepared to respond to the emerging issues and the challenges of the fast changing landscapes for social welfare and development,” Gatchalian said.

Participants expressed social work issues and recommendations that included the need to plan and develop training opportunities in various disciplines and an effective curriculum to improve the skills of social workers in the medical field and justice system of ASEAN member-states (AMS).

The panel also suggested emphasizing the importance of social workers in both fields and strengthening coordination between AMS by developing data collection and information management systems.

DSWD hopes that through inputs from the participants, the two regional guidance documents will help advance the conditions of social work practice in the ASEAN region.

The two outcome documents are expected to be endorsed for notation by heads of state at the ASEAN Summit in November 2023.

Related Tags

Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian ASEAN DSWD
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