OneWorld.net (U.S.)

Since decades numerous Schools of Social Work in India have been turning out Social Workers to provide professional support to initiatives for social welfare and development by the government, international agencies and Non Governmental Organizations addressing concerns of the society at large and the marginalized population in particular. Several other professionals are directly or indirectly involved in the concerns of the country and are making their contribution to the cause of social development. These are professions such as doctors, engineers, lawyers, psychiatrists and several other groups who are organized, continuously involved in discourses within their disciplines, reflecting on the situation of the country and its social problems and are seen to be contributing to solutions to address the same.

Where are the Social Work professionals and their professional bodies? What is the role they are playing in addressing the issues of the country, particularly of the people who are impacted negatively with the globalisation, consequent pauperization of the marginalized communities and the increasing instances of abuse of human rights?

The National Convention is a wake up call to rise from slumber and general inaction, it is now or never. The situation of the country – the state of democracy, denial of rights of vulnerable groups, corruption affecting particularly the poor – is a call to Social Workers to stand up to the commitment their profession implies.

We need to reflect seriously and rise up to the challenge of defining the role and responsibilities of professional Social Workers in the present challenging context of our country. This is not going to be a just one more seminar or meeting, but the first step to standing up to be counted as a serious profession which can deliver its own special expertise that is relevant to the situation and problems of today's India.

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