Anti-austerity action plan to be drawn up by social workers

An action plan to help social workers fight against austerity measures is to be drawn up by the International Federation of Social Workers.

The move was announced by Secretary-General Rory Truell at the International Federation of Social Workers’ European Conference in Edinburgh.

Dr Truell said the action plan would demonstrate solidarity and provide a basis for shared learning and shared action.

“There is clear support for a network of social workers across the austerity-hit countries,” he told delegates.

“We want to ensure that we strengthen the social work role and social work understanding - which includes people who use social work services - and strengthen our place in Europe and beyond in providing a common stance against austerity.

“The International Federation of Social Workers and International Association of Schools of Social Work will work towards creating a statement which will include common identity, common action and solidarity between social workers and social work user movements.

“It will set an example of social work leadership for others to follow and help bring an end to austerity across Europe.”

Dr Truell said the problems faced by the latest Greek Government came about through enormous pressure but also as a result of its isolation.

“One of the things that we can do as social workers is to break down that isolation and create a model that scares the politicians,” he said.

“We can bring together the austerity affected countries and build a network so that social workers in Greece, Spain, Ireland, Portugal, UK and other countries can work together, build solidarity, show strength and develop common actions.”

Guy Shennan, Chair of BASW, said: “We will be very supportive and will want to contribute to any statements that are made.”

John Brennan, representing the Irish Association of Social Workers, also committed to joining the network.

“This is very important so let’s go forward together. If individual social workers feel threatened in their practice, the way to overcome this is by joining together and becoming members of the associations in their own countries,” he said.

Maria Rúnarsdóttir, Chair of the Association for Social Workers in Iceland, added: “We embrace the building of a network against austerity and look forward to your help in empowering social workers and giving us a voice. We have been successful in many ways but we still need to do more.”