Dear Member,
As we prepare for the upcoming International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) General Meeting 23-24 June 2026 in Nairobi Kenya, the Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) is pleased to share details regarding two significant motions we have proposed for the global assembly. These motions aim to strengthen the Federation’s governance and uphold the ethical integrity of our profession worldwide.
| Motion 1: Review of Governance Regarding Membership Sanctions | Proposer: IASW (Ireland)Seconders: CGTS (Spain) and FO (Norway) |
| The IASW has identified that current IFSW governance documents lack sufficient detail regarding the censure, suspension, and expulsion of member organizations. We believe that for the Federation’s ethical standards to be binding rather than merely aspirational, governance measures must be condition-based, transparent, and consistent. | |
| This motion resolves to:Establish a Working Group: Mandate the Executive Committee to form a group within one month to review Article 7 of the Constitution and By-Law 4.Clarify Sanctions: Define clear criteria for issuing and lifting censures to ensure they lead to corrective action.Define Reinstatement: Establish precise, mandatory actions and timelines for reinstatement following a suspension or expulsion. | |
| Motion 2: Professional Integrity and Mandatory Military Service | Proposer: IASW (Ireland)Seconder: CGTS (Spain) |
| This motion addresses the complex intersection between national legal mandates (such as mandatory military conscription) and our professional commitment to the IFSW Global Statement of Ethical Principles. | |
| Key principles of this motion include:Ethical Independence: Legal mandates do not absolve a professional association of its duty to maintain an independent voice and protect professional integrity.Non-Participation in Combat: In line with Principle 9.3—which commits the profession to peace and non-violence—associations should strive to prevent social work skills from being used for inhumane purposes.Advocacy for Exemptions: We are calling on member associations in jurisdictions with conscription to formally request that their governments exempt social workers from active combat roles.Maintaining Boundaries: The motion argues that treating participation in armed assault as an ordinary civic duty, without setting ethical boundaries, represents a failure of professional responsibility. By articulating these requirements, the IFSW ensures its ethical standards remain binding even in high-stakes contexts of armed conflict and structural violence. | |
The IASW is proud to lead these discussions on behalf of members for the global stage and look forward to representing the values of Irish social workers at the General Meeting.
The IASW representatives attending the hybrid IFSW General Meeting are.
| Delegate 1 | Caroline Strong (COO) – Caroline will give oral presentation and vote on behalf of the IASW in line with the voting preferences from members. |
| Delegate 2 | Dearbhla Ni Chulainn (IASW Member) |
| Delegate 3 | Anna Deneher (IASW Member) |
| Delegate 4 | John Brennan (IASW Member) |
| Delegate 5 | Shane McCarthy (IASW Member) |
A short report on the outcome of the General Meeting will be shared with members, after the meeting takes place.
