Lisbon Declaration for the Development of Social
Work and Humanitarian Action in the 21stCentury
Within the framework of research produced in the fields of Social Work and Humanitarian
Action - Project INOVHUMRE (2020-1-PT01-KA203-078796), the members, andparticipants of the Conference "Digital Tools to support complex social intervention in achanging society", (16 November 2023) gathered at Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon,
where they are represented:-Fundacao Getulio Vargas - Brazil;
Icesi University – Colombia;
Hacettepe Universitesi – Turkey;
Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distância – Spain;Instituto Marques de Valle Flor – Portugal;
Magtel Foundation – Spain;
Sened Derneği Turkey;
Sosyal Hizmet Uzmanları Derneği Ankara Şubesi – Turkey.

Present to the international community, with the support of ICSW, IFSW and IASSW, theLisbon Declaration for the development of Social Work and Humanitarian Actionin the 21st century, a set of recommendations for the development of social work andhumanitarian action in the 21st century, based on the following assumptions:-Humanitarian crises, generated by various causes, call for greater specializationof social welfare professionals, including social workers. At the global, regional,and local levels, better training programs need to be designed to meet thechallenges arising in a wide range of areas, such as the food crisis, social
protection, or digitalization.

-The economic crisis, the deficit, unemployment, the poverty rate,competitiveness, and unequal access to opportunities produce social inequalities
in a population group characterized by fewer resources (known as vulnerable
communities or territories that generate insecurity), promoting unemployment,social exclusion, and conditioning democratic construction in some contemporarysocieties. Examples: TROIKA's intervention in Portugal from 2008 to 2014; theCovid-19 pandemic; the Ukraine-Russia war; Hamas - Israel; natural disasters(Lebanon's situation; Morocco's earthquake) and climate change around theworld.

-This process requires a relationship of collaboration and cooperation between
the state, civil society, and the private business sector, adopting the principle
defined by the EU: Peace, Security and Good Governance. The set of principles
defined aims to combat inequalities, in particular the promotion of genderequality. They represent a commitment to maximizing the synergies of thedifferent social actors. They influence a more critical and constructive look at theocean coast and the sharing of local and transnational experiences.

We therefore recommend the following action points:-The need for technical literacy that is accessible and understood by all those
involved in social policies, programs, and responses.

-Deepening a collaborative, participatory and co-design integrated methodologythat is better suited to responding to the specific challenges observed;
rehabilitating survivors with the support they require.

-Implementing innovative advanced training plans that propose new approaches
and methodologies for teaching, learning and research, based on evidence fromprofessional practice.

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A funding plan for research in these areas, promoting the development of newlearning tools that incorporate the contributions of the knowledge produced,
technologies and models of practice supported by both public and civil society
partnerships.

-The creation of a digital platform that promotes the dissemination of knowledge
in these areas, encourages the promotion of study and research networks
between partners and countries and promotes information on advanced training
plans in Social Work and Humanitarian Action.

-The inclusion of Social Work and Humanitarian Action in the European Agenda
as a training and research priority, and in the agenda of other countries andregions worldwide.

-The internationalization of universities makes it possible to strengthen thedissemination of good practices in the field of humanitarian aid, and to contributeto the creation of a global network of universities working in humanitarian aid. As
the world's largest provider of development aid and humanitarian aid andcurrently also hosts many refugees and immigrants who are victims of war orconflict or natural disasters, European schools of social work must be at theforefront of innovation in the field of humanitarian aid.