International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Application for Membership

1. EAPN GENERAL ASSEMBLY Norway 7-9th June 2012 Application for Membership International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Ian Johnston

2. International Federation of Social Workers Established in 1950 Worldwide Over 500,000 social workers from more than 80 countries who share a collective commitment to professional practice. European Region – Independent NGO Status 40 member associations from 35 countries representing 165,600 social workers.

3. IFSW Promoting International Cooperation

4. IFSW President Europe Nicolai Paulsen, Denmark European Honorary Secretary Siobhan Maclean IFSW Europe Executive Committee Anthea Agius, Malta Cristina Martins, Portugal Ian Johnston, United Kingdom Maria Moritz, Austria Annica Skoglund, Sweden Contact person for the Global Human Rights committeeGraça André, Portugal IFSW EUROPE EXECUTIVE

5. IFSW Europe – Committed to Challenging injustice and the abuse of social and human rights. Promoting the knowledge and expertise of social workers to policy makers and society in general Securing social policy and legislative change that advance social cohesion Representing social workers and those using our services on the Council of Europe & EU Social and Fundamental Rights Platforms.

6. Council of EU – Social services a tool for active inclusion……. Social services play a vital preventative and socially cohesive role and enhance the capacity of individuals to fully participate in society, to realise their economic and social potential and to enjoy their fundamental rights. Member states should ensure that measures combating social exclusion and promoting the active inclusion of those furthest from the labour market and society, through better access to social services, are high on the political agenda Extracted from the minute of Council of Europe Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council Meeting – Luxemburg – 8th June 2009

7. Poverty – the social work perspective The hardship, distress and despair endured by individuals and families living in poverty largely occurs out of sight of politicians and other decision makers and opinion formers and is far removed from the lives of the wealthy amongst us which all too often are characterised by excess and greed. The sensitive services that social workers provide very often take place behind closed doors too. We therefore have first hand knowledge of the impact of poverty on the health and well being of individuals and groups and are well placed to contribute to EAPN’s drive to secure a fairer and more equitable distribution of wealth in all countries.

8. The impact on children A child in a poor family knows from their first day at school what it feels like to be worthless – no birthday parties, no holidays, no plane or even train rides – no computer for games or online chats – Facebook a closed book. Shop windows, television images and playground conversation all remind this child that they are excluded from the mainstream. It’s not surprising that such children join gangs. Children with no power and few prospects create their own systems of status and rewards fighting for the respect they get nowhere else. (Polly Toynbee & David Walker – Unjust Rewards: Ending the Greed that is Bankrupting Britain)

9. The impact on health The life expectancy of some groups can be as much as 20 years more than those living in poverty in the same cities. Almost all social work service users are either already living with poor health or their health is threatened by the conditions in which they live. Parents are unable to secure the conditions in which they can be good parents and are at risk from the common accompaniments of poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, poor diet, lack of exercise and violence and insecurity.

11. Social Workers must: Tackle the fundamental causes of poor health as well as the consequences. Rediscover the importance of work to improve service users material circumstances. Pay greater attention to how disadvantage impacts on health across the life course. Make Governments aware of the immediate and long term consequences of people not receiving social care services. Recognise the health consequences of social issues such as domestic violence and suicide amongst young people. Pay attention to populations as well as individuals and families. Give priority to prevention rather than protection. Secure equitable access to treatment and create the conditions for equitable health. (Paul Bywaters – British Journal of Social Work – March 2009) .

12. Why we want to join EAPN Social Workers assist people with the very wide range of problems that arise from poverty but must also engage with others to demand the changes necessary to prevent it occurring in the first place. Membership of EAPN would enable IFSW Europe to contribute more effectively to the policy and political change that is required at European level. It would empower our member organisations to join forces with others in their own countries to lobby politicians and governments to act in the best interests of all citizens. 1/2/2020