Social Work Symposium
Responding to the Refugee Crisis
March 15, 2016
World Social Work Day
Catamaran – River Box –Johann Böhm Platz 1,1020 Vienna, Austria
Side Event on March 16
National Conference on Social Work
Responding to the Refugee Crisis

Information Pack for the Social
Work Symposium Responding tothe Refugee Crisis
Information on the Social Work Symposium Responding to the Refugee Crisis. For Social workers
and refugees from the countries that refugees areescaping from, transiting through and seeking asylum within.

The social work profession grew enormously in response to the refugee crisis following the Second World War and sincethat time social workers have been supporting refugees and migrants in their journeys and transitions to new communities
and societies. The current crisis is no exception with social workers in all the affected
countries applying their knowledge andskills at all points of the refugees transition
and with the communities where they seek
asylum.
Social workers are trained and skilled inhelping people through dramatic change intheir lives and on healing and building communities that are under pressure or sufferfrom racial tension. From their worldwide
on the ground experience, social workers
have witnessed which polices enable refugees to positively integrate into a new environment, and which policies undermine
their aspirations and the wellbeing of thecommunities that they join.
At a time where there is a need for increased service coordination and the development of policies and practices that willassist refugees, The International Federation of Social Workers has called for practitioners and refugees in each of the affected
countries to assemble, plan and take further action in response to this crisis.

The International Federation of Social Workers inpartnership with OBDS and Younion, are facilitatinga meeting of social workers and refugees from thecountries where people are escaping from (WarCountries), social workers from the countries where
the refuges are transferring through (Transfer Countries) and where they find asylum (Asylum Countries).
When and Where: Vienna (Hosted by OBDS andYounion) on World Social Work Day, 15th March2016. Catamaran – River Box 1020 Vienna, Johann
Böhm Platz 1
Symposium Objectives: To bring together socialworkers and refugee representatives from the affected countries to:
1. To create an overall working plan for socialworkers in each of the affected countries to coordinate information that provides a better understanding and response to refugee needs
during their journey, transfer and integration in
the asylum countries.
2. To develop a focused strategy on particular vulnerable groups such as unaccompanied children and young people, older people, thosewith health issues and trafficked persons.
3. Establish a comprehensive political advocacy
strategy that reflects a ‘ground up’ perspective
on refugee needs, aspirations and solutions.
4. To establish social work models that support
refugees in isolated situations where otherforms of assistance are not available.
5. To utilize the skills of social workers constructively to developing inclusive and cohesive societies.
The Symposium: The Symposium will be held on
World Social Work Day March 15th 2016. In addition to the invited social work and refugee representatives the event will be live-streamed to enableinternational participation.
Social Work representatives are invited to attend inperson from the following countries:
War countries: Syria, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Somalia;Transfer countries: Lebanon, Turkey, Greece,
Italy, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia,Bosnia, Croatia, Hungary, Spain;
Asylum countries: UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark,Netherlands, Russia.

Other organisations invited to attend in person:
Representatives from United Nations’ Agencies andinternally focused refugee INGOs.
Financial support for attendance: IFSW will provide
transportation, accommodation and meal expenses
for approximately 20 people. Priority will be given
to representatives from the countries where refugees are escaping and representatives from low-income countries.

Programme
The symposium will take the form of a ‘working
group’ and all representatives will be actively involved. There will be three panels each comprising
the representatives from the war Countries, theTransition Countries and The Asylum Countries.
There will also be keynote addresses from the invited UN agency (tbc) and INGOs.
14th March

Representative’s arrival
Evening joint dinnerSide Event on 16th March
National Conference on Social Work Responding to
the Refugee Crisis
Objectives: The symposium will address the basic
principles of social work in emergency action and relief, strategies development of transformation fromemergency care for masses of people to individualize social work for refugees and create programs for
special and vulnerable groups.
The working groups will have the focus

to analyse the experience we have made,to learn from the international expertise andto find joint power for the challenges to expect
in 2016

Participants: professional and volunteer organisations involved in action
Programme: moderated large-scale conference,
participants will be invited to take an active part in
the sessions; key note by Ruth Stark, IFSW, refugeetestimonials, input by an expert in crisis management.
Working language: German
Organised by:obds - Austrian Association of Social WorkYOUNION – trade union
AK – Chamber of Labour Austria

15th MarchMorning Session: Welcome, introductions, keynote address and 2 panels.
Afternoon Session: Keynote address, thirdpanel and workshop on agreed statement andplan of action.
Evening: Joint dinner

Working language: English

Where and when: ÖGB-Catamaran, Wilhemine
Moik Saal, 1020 Vienna, Johann Böhm Platz 1 from9.00 am to 5.00 p.m

To register your interest in attending this forum
or to receive more information, please contact
Mr Pascal Rudin, IFSW Administrator
pascal.rudin@ifsw.org
at the earliest opportunity!