The University of British Columbia
UBC - A Place of Mind
The University of British Columbia Okanagan campus
UBC Okanagan News
  • Home
  • Services for Media
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Submit Your Story
  • Events
  • Contact
Home / 2012 / March / 28 / UBC professor co-authors social work document for UN

UBC professor co-authors social work document for UN

By Patty Wellborn on March 28, 2012

Call to action promotes social, economic, cultural and political rights

Dixon Sookraj, associate professor of Social Work

Dixon Sookraj, an associate professor at UBC’s Okanagan campus School of Social Work, is among a group of experts representing social workers around the globe who contributed to an action document for the United Nations.

The document, The Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development: Commitment to Action, was delivered to the UN earlier this week by the International Federation of Social Workers, the International Association of Schools of Social Work and the International Council of Social Workers.

Among the commitments of the three organizations is promoting universal implementation of social, economic, cultural and political rights and ending discrimination in all forms.

“I believe, in our increasingly turbulent world, concerted action in these areas is paramount,” says Sookraj.

The dramatic expansion of schools of social work in places like China and the Middle East coupled with growing problems of increased poverty, inequality and marginalization prompted the organizations to renew their commitment. Social workers around the globe are concerned how these trends compromise health and wellbeing in their communities, says Sookraj.

“There seems to be an awakening within the profession, reflected in the explosion of new social work programs,” says Sookraj. “There is a growing momentum toward larger scale, progressive actions, aimed at building health individuals, families, communities and nations, promoting human right and peace and resolving conflicts. The absence of human rights protections for a majority of the world’s population and other negative social impacts are among the main concerns expressed by social workers.”

The document was to be received by Helen Clark, former prime minister of Australia and current head of the UN Development Program.

-- 30 --

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Posted in Media Releases | Tagged Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Social Work

  • Previous
  • Next

Contact

Patty Wellborn
Media Relations Strategist
University Relations

The University of British Columbia
Okanagan campus
Tel: 250 317 0293
E-mail: patty.wellborn@ubc.ca

See other posts by Patty Wellborn

UBC Okanagan Events

See what’s happening at UBC Okanagan. Explore the events calendar for performances, talks, workshops, community events, info sessions, and more.

View Events

Archives

UBC's Okanagan News
Okanagan Campus
3333 University Way
Kelowna, BC Canada V1V 1V7
Find us on
  
Back to top
The University of British Columbia
  • Emergency Procedures |
  • Terms of Use |
  • Copyright |
  • Accessibility
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.