Colleagues, The International Federation of Social Workers will celebrate the first World Social Work Day on March 27. The main themeis "Social Work: Making a World of Difference", which symbolizes the efforts social workers put to help people make positive changes in their lives, the commitment and capacity of social workers in serving the most distressed and vulnerable people in our communities, the professional mission of social workers to make people voice heard, to improve social policies, to promote human rights and social justice. The IFSW calls for social workers from every part of the world to celebrate the Day and it also aims to get United Nations recognition for the Day. The Hong Kong Social Workers Association supports the launching of a "World Social Work Day" and plans to organize a "Social Work Day" in Hong Kong later this year. A social work conference is planned so that social workers from different servicesand settings might meet and exchange, so as to promote professional development and cohesion. We also plan to organize exhibition and lectures in order to raise the profile and promote a positive image of social work profession. On March 27, the Association willorganize a gathering for its Board and committees members so as to commemorate the "World Social Work Day" and to begin theorganization of the local "Social Work Day".
社工，是指社会工作，是由英文 Social Work 翻译过来的，它指的是非盈利的、服务于他人和社会的专业化、职业化的活动。在国际社会，这类活动还被称为社会服务或社会福利服务。由于各国、各地区的经济社会结构不同，具体问题不同，解决问题的方法不同，因此人们对社会工作内涵的表述也有所不同。国际社会工作者联会（IFSW）曾于20世纪90年代进行全球调查，发现各国对社会工作的定义大同小异。我们可以说，社会工作是在一定的社会福利制度框架下，根据专业价值观念、运用专业方法帮助有困难的人或群体走出困境的职业性的活动。
蓝晶灵儿
