GLOBAL AGENDA FOR SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
IASSW MEETING REPORT – JULY 2022

The focus of the Global Agenda in the first semester of 2022, was to prepare regional
reports on the first theme of the 2020-2030 Global Agenda, that is: Ubuntu:
Strengthening Social Solidarity and Global Connectedness, and finalise theme three(3) of the 2020-2030 Global Agenda.
IASSW took the lead in mobilising the regions to compile the reports on the Ubuntu
theme. Thank you to the IASSW representatives as mentioned below who took thelead in organising collaboration with IASSW, IFSW and ICSW members in the region
to present the regional reports.
Asia Pacific Region: David Rose
North America and Caribbean Region: Darla Coffey
Europe: Marlene Corydon
South America: Pedro Isnardo de la Cruz
Africa Region: Antoinette Lombard

The emphasis of the regional reports was on determining the progress that has been
made in social work practice, education, and policy on Ubuntu in strengthening social
solidarity in the region and globally. The Ubuntu theme is ongoing and integrated in
the second and forthcoming themes of the Global Agenda. Hence, the emphasis is onprogress made.
Data had to be collected and reported on the following questions:
1. How do the principles of Ubuntu impact on social work and social development
professionals’ thinking and actions to facilitate social transformation?
2. How has Ubuntu been applied over the past two years to maximise inclusivity
and linking the active participation of all voices, particularly those often
marginalised in activities and programmes in social work practice, education,and social development?

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3. What are we learning from the use of the principles of Ubuntu to connect
indigenous / local populations with a global world?
Two regional reports have been submitted while the others will be finalised soon. The
request was a brief report of a few pages reflecting on the key questions, drawing
conclusions, and making recommendations.
The Global Taskforce has not met since February 2022. At that stage the third themeof the 2020-2030 Global Agenda was finalised, and we briefly spoke about collecting
data on the first theme from the regions where it was agreed that IASSW will take thelead in the regions to organise this. IFSW was very engaged in planning the People
Global Summit over the past months and hence devoted all their time and energy into
this planning. As you know, IASSW was represented (by Barbara Shank) in theorganising of the People Global Summit. The IASSW representatives on the Global
Taskforce were very appreciated that IASSW took the lead and pledged IFSW’s
support to connect with regions as required. The Global Agenda did not have anorganised platform on the People Global Summit (19 June – 2 July).
I foresee that the Global Taskforce will meet soon to discuss the narrative of the thirdtheme for the 2020-2030 Global Agenda which will be on diversity and joint socialaction. However, please note that I do not give you the exact formulated theme as thenarrative still has to be finalised and the announcements will be made by thePresidents of the respective international bodies. The theme had to be finalised
because of the upcoming world conference in Panama in 2024. The Global Taskforce
will also discuss the regional reports on Ubuntu and how it will be disseminated.

Respectfully submitted,Antoinette Lombard
Chair of Global Agenda
1 June 2022

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