Kerala Association of Professional Social Workers (KAPS) is theregistered organisation for Professional Social Workers.

KAPS Kottayam chapter organized seminar and celebration of “Worldday of social work” on 18 Mar 2014 at BCM college, Kottayam. The
programme was organized in association with ASSK (Associationof Schools of Social Work in Kerala) Kottayam region and AKSA(All Kerala Social Work Students Association) Kottayam region. The
social work practitioners in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Alapuzha
Districts and all students and staff from Social Work institutions inKottayam and Pathanamthitta districts have participated.
Mr.Benoy Kattayil (President, KAPS Kottayam chapter/General
Secretary of State) has welcomed the gathering and Dr. Ipe Varghese(Secretary, KAPS Kottayam Chapter) has introduced the programme.
He has shared the origin and formation details of KAPS and theimportant programmes/activities after its formation.
The inaugural meeting was presided over by Dr. Cherian P Kurian(Vice President KAPS). In his presidential address he talked in general
about the association and introduced the theme of the year “Social andEconomic crises: Social Work solutions” .
Sri. Thiruvanchoor Radakrishnan, Hon.Minister for Forest and Transport
has inaugurated th e programme. In his inaugural address, heemphasised the role of professional social work in the developmentof our society.
Adv.Philson Mathews ( Vice President, Dt.Panchayat Kottayam) has
given a key note message. He has mentioned and requested theassociation of social workers in making the programmes of panchayats
success.
Mr. Jaison Philip (Christuraj Social Service society, Pala) has expressedvote of thanks with a call more similar activities which help us to grow .
Two sessions were conducted: (i) Social Work Profession andChanging social scenario - by Mr. Devasia Joseph and (ii) Practicing
Social Group Work in present society - by Dr.Jose Antony.
After lunch, cultural programmes were conducted by four colleges. BCMcollege Kottayam presented a 20 minute Ballad on the theme ‘ecopreservation’, KE college, Mannanam made a theme presentation onsocial issues, Assumption college, Changanassery presented acinematic dance and BVM college Cherpunkal presented a mime on‘protecting nature’.
There after an interactive session was conducted which began withbrief self introduction by the practitioners. The practitioners andstudents actively participated in this session and shared their views
about future programmes of KAPS. The students shared that they feelproud that they are becoming part of a professional association. Many
people shared the need for organizing more programmes by KAPS.

Some students shared the feeling that the programme has brought thestudents from different colleges together and made them to work as one
team. The programme was organized in such a way by forming different
committees and by ensuring that each committee has members from allthe colleges. They said it was their first and different experience.
All the participants joined in the vote of thanks by rising from their seatsand thanking each other and shaking hands.
The programe came to an end with the national anthem sung by thewhole participants. Nearly 185 people participated in the programme outof which about 135 were students from different colleges.
Benoy Kattayil
Gen Secretaty - KAPS