Japanese Society for the Study of Social WorkInternational Research Seminar

Social Action on the International StageUN Advocacy by Social Workers and the SDGs
Asia Pacific Regional Report
Sebastian Cordoba
IFSW Asia Pacific UN RepresentativeDr Sebastian Cordoba
IFSW United Nations Representative – Asia Pacific
Australian Association of Social Workers Senior Policy Advisor
Lecturer, Deputy Program Manager (BSW)RMIT University - Social Work & Human Services

UN Advocacy by Social Workers and the SDGs
Asia Pacific Regional Report
1. Background and context• SDGs and social work

2. IFSW UN Commission Asia Pacific• Overview

3. Key issues in the Asia Pacific region• SDG 2021 report

4. IFSW UN Advocacy in the Asia Pacific• Examples

5. Upcoming actions

Background in context– Social work & the SDGs

Social work and the SDGs
• As a human rights profession, social workers all over
the world can (and do) play a key part in meeting theSDGs.
• Similar language of the SDGs and social work which
both promote inclusion, equality and justice, and aholistic appreciation of sustainability• Criticised for their oversimplification of complex
issues, empty symbolism and perpetuation of Westerncolonialism• Lack of bottom up approaches, member states who
are responsible for the implementation of the SDGs
are the main barriers of action• Not on track to meet the goals

Social work and the SDGs
The COVID-19 pandemic is a setback forsustainable development everywhere. For
the first time since the adoption of the SDGs
in 2015, the global average SDG Index score
for 2020 has decreased from the previous
year: a decline driven to a large extent by
increased poverty rates and unemployment
following the outbreak of the COVID-19pandemic.
UN Sustainable Development Report 2021

IFSW-AP UN Commission

IFSW-Asia Pacific UN Commission• IFSW has special consultative status to the UN toadvocate on key issues and the social workprofession.

IFSW-AP to UN Commission• The IFSW UN commission aims to bridge the gaps
between UN agendas and community aspirations
by written & verbal submissions, responding toconsultations, events to highlight social work.
• Formed in 2019, 7 IFSW AP UN representatives tothe UN’s Economic and Social Commission for Asiaand the Pacific (ESCAP), which is the UnitedNations’ regional hub.

UN’s Economic and Social Commission
for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)• ESCAP is one of the five regional commissions ofthe United Nations, main office in Bangkok,Thailand.
• 53 member States and 9 associate members inpursuit of solutions to sustainable development
challenges.
• ESCAP supports regional cooperation and theimplementation of the 2030 Agenda forSustainable Development.
• ESCAP pursues this objective by carrying out
work, in close cooperation with civil society
groups (like the IFSW).

Key issues in the Asia Pacific region

Key issues in the Asia Pacific region• The Asia-Pacific region is not on track to achieve
any of the 17 SDGs by 2030.
• On its current trajectory, the region may achieveless than 10 per cent of the SDG targets.
• COVID has significantly impacted the region,
especially in relation to poverty and inequality.
• In some areas there is a foundation for achieving
the goals. The most promising are goals for good
health and well-being (Goal 3) and industry,innovation and infrastructure (Goal 9) where theregion has progressed the most.

Key issues in the Asia Pacific region• The region is regressing on critical goals of climate
action (Goal 13) and life below water (Goal 14).
• Some subregions are well positioned to achieve afew of the goals. For example, East and North-East
Asia is on track to eradicate poverty (Goal 1) andprovide clean water and sanitation for all (Goal 6)
while South-East Asia is on track to promotesustainable industry and innovation (Goal 9).
• Advocacy is needed to assure governments takemeaningful action.

IFSW UN Advocacy in the Asia PacificIFSW UN Advocacy in the Asia Pacific• Over the past 2 years, IFSW AP UN
Representatives attend key forums andmeetings advocating for human rights,
social and environmental justice.
• Focus on building partnerships andcollaborating with member states andNGOs in the region.
• The work has included written statements,
oral statements, formal correspondence,and participation in regional summits andworkshops.
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IFSW UN Advocacy in the Asia Pacific• In the last year this included:• Submission of formal IFSW position statement on key
regional issues to ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida
Alisjahbana• Advocating and being granted for UN ESCAP Observer Statusfor the IFSW
• World Social Work Day Panel, in partnership with UNICEF• Formal written statements submitted to:• Committee on Environment and Development, Sixth
Session• Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2021
• Committee for Social Development Sixth Session• Addressing the UN through oral statements at the:• Committee on Environment and Development, Sixth
Session• Committee for Social Development Sixth Session• Numerous workshops and panel discussions• Attendance of the 77th session of the Commission and the2020 & 2021 UN Global High Level Political Forum16IFSW UN Advocacy in the Asia PacificExample: Committee on Environment andDevelopment, Sixth Session• Key meeting for the region.
• Formal written and oral statement callingfor greater action on climate change abottom up approach.
• Member states (many who are theworld’s largest polluters) openlycelebrated their efforts on climatechange, despite clear evidence to thecontrary.
• Highlights the important role of the NGO
sector in the UN system and continued
advocacy.

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Upcoming actions

• Limits to the UN system, can be
impenetrable and a very top down
approach• Who has a seat at the table?
• What happens when those incharge of the solutions are themain barriers or the perpetrators?
• Clear role for the NGO sector andcollective actions.
• Clear role for social workers andsocial work approaches, especiallypolitical action

19• Greater engagement with the UN ESCAP system as official observers

Upcoming actions• Continued representation at key meeting and events, with formal
statements.
• Networking and collaboration with member states• Partnership with NGOs
• World Social Work Day event in the Asia Pacific for 2022

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Thank you