To Seek Professional Competency In Social Work Practice, Education And Research
What Is Social Work
Learn more about social work and what social workers do
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HAPPY WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY #WSWD
World Social Work Day takes place on 18 March 2025. This year’s theme is ‘Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing’, which emphasises the importance of caring and respecting across generations to build strong societies, sustain the environment, and share wisdom for a better future.
2025
In preparing the poster, the designer commented:
“The central figure represents the caregiver in all of us, helping all kinds of people across the waterfall. The figure is our mother/father/brother/sister/aunt/uncle/ child/or chosen family. It has no gender or features because it represents everyone. Whether it’s through support, a helping hand, finding an alternate path, or just being there. Compassion is the catalyst to helping families, friends, and neighbours. It’s also showing that the caregiver is being re-energized and fortified through helping. The colours are bright and bold to show their resilience. The people come from all walks of life all around the globe and the landscape isn’t meant to be any one place, but rather a symbol of the journey we all travel.”
Joachim Mumba, IFSW President, stated: “This theme highlights the critical role of intergenerational care, respect, and collaboration in creating resilient communities and sustainable environments. It underscores the social work profession’s dedication to building connections that value the wisdom of our elders while empowering younger generations to tackle today’s challenges and envision a better future. Together, we can build a world where compassion and solidarity lay the groundwork for lasting well-being for everyone. As an African proverb says, ‘If you light a lamp for someone, it will also brighten your own path’. Our collective efforts to uplift one another ultimately illuminate the way forward for all.”
Global Definition of Social Work
“Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledges, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing. The above definition may be amplified at national and/or regional levels.”
Definition of Social Work in Malaysia Context
Social work is a profession guided by a body of knowledge, values and skills, utilizing a bio-psycho-social approach, to facilitate optimal social functioning of individuals, families, groups and communities. Social workers uphold a code of ethics and conduct based on the values of human rights and social justice. The profession also contributes towards social development and social change through the enhancement of social policies, legislation, programmes and services, appropriate to the needs of Malaysia’s diverse socio-cultural population for a better quality of life.
Social Work in Malaysia
Social Work Is The Helping Profession
Social problems such as poverty, unemployment, unequal opportunities, racism, malnutrition, crime, domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illnesses and many other issues that makes it difficult for people to achieve their full potential.
Social work is the helping profession and this is where social workers come in. With powerful knowledge and skills, social workers undertake assessment to address client's concerns to improve their quality of life.
In Malaysia, the governmental and non-governmental agencies offer social work services to the vulnerable groups in various types of settings such as health, education, housing and the justice system.