World Social Work Day and India

Abstract

The World Social Work Day (WSWD) is celebrated on the third Tuesday of March every year with a specific mission. The origin of this world celebration of social work can be traced to the beginning of the 1980s, but members’ organisations of the International Federation of Social Work voted to establish an International Social Work Day in its 2004 General Meeting in Adelaide. Initially, Social Work Day started as an event to appreciate the work of the United Nations in social work; later, its scope was enlarged. In the Indian context, its significance is many times greater as it is an occasion to celebrate the triumphs of social work, to raise awareness of social services for the future of societies and to guard social justice and human rights. During “Amritkal”, India reaffirms its constitutional commitment to democratic values, human rights and social justice. There is a need to recognise the professionalisation of social welfare services and development practices and primacy of social sector. The National Association of Professional Social Workers in India has initiated celebrating a National Social Work Week (NSSW) from 15th August every year since 2020, which culminates in the celebration of Indian Social Work Day on 21st August every year. NSSW is a week of retrospection, introspection, prospection and reflection.

Keywords: World Social Work Day, National Social Work Week, Social Work Profession, Retrospection, Social Change and Development, Well-Being

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