March 29, 2022 – The profession of social work is grounded in the principles of peace and equity, rooted in the inherent dignity and worth of all people. Working at all levels of practice, social workers across the world strive everyday to support fairness, justice, and wellbeing for people, families, communities – and across borders.
CASW stands with the many social workers – Ukrainian, Polish, Russian, and from other nearby regions – speaking out against the invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine and working in the impacted regions. At the international level, the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) is a proud member of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), who is currently working alongside United Nations partners in assisting refugees.
“Knowing the critical roles social workers are playing on the front lines of the crisis, offering humanitarian aid to refugees and mobilizing resources, we couldn’t be prouder of our profession,” said CASW President Joan Davis-Whelan.
IFSW’s European Region, which includes both the Ukraine Association of Social Workers and the Russian Union of Social Pedagogues and Social Workers, recently released a statement standing with the people of Ukraine in “their right to their own nation, identities, and freedom from domination.” CASW strongly supports this statement, and echoes IFSW Europe in standing “with the people of Russia who are starving and at significant risk from a regime that has introduced draconian laws attempting to prevent them from advocating for peace.”
CASW recognizes that many social workers in Canada feel a profound helplessness watching international events unfold – or as they are personally impacted through connections to other countries. “To that, we say: your work here in Canada has only just begun, “said Davis-Whelan, “and you have a very important role to play.”
Canadian social workers are already helping to settle the first refugees from Ukraine, and the social work community will play a critical role as we continue to welcome them in larger numbers. From working directly in settlement and immigration roles, to helping address mental health impacts, to expertise in trauma and displacement, social workers’ broad but unique skills and perspective will be increasingly important.
“We acknowledge the Government of Canada’s important work in creating swift solutions to facilitate Ukrainian refugees’ arrival and settlement in our country,” said Davis-Whelan. “And we hope that refugees from any future conflicts – regardless of origin, race, religion or other factors – will be offered the same opportunities.”
CASW stands with the people of Ukraine and the international community at large in the hope for a swift end to the war. “Social work’s skills, knowledge, and worldview can, and should, be part of the solution,” concluded Davis-Whelan.
For more information on IFSW, click here. To access IFSW’s donation campaign, click here.
To read about the Government of Canada’s response or access information for Ukrainian nationals and their family members, click here.