IASSW, ICSW and IFSW are pleased to inform our members of the outcomes of the Tripartite Meeting held in London over the last two days. The global representatives of the three organizations had productive and fruitful discussions. They have confirmed an ongoing spirit of partnership to expand the professions and will work together, and with others, to make social work and social development more visible, strong and influential.

The Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development will remain our flagship during the next ten years. The preparatory work on a follow –up process to the Global Agenda will start later this year.

IAASW, ICSW and IFSW look forward to translating these agreements into a vibrant reality and seeing a more inclusive and united future for our organizations.

By Wouter van Ginneken

Wouter van Ginneken is a former staff member of the International Labour Office and a founding member of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors. He has been a member of the International Geneva Team of the International Movement ATD Fourth World since 2004.

Our Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) aims at influencing policy-making both at the international level and at the national level. There are now a number of national platforms – GCSPF members – who wish to report to UN organizations about the implementation of social protections floors at the national level.

There are three main international organizations or fora[ In this note we shall only consider reporting procedures in the context of the United Nations. There may also be reporting procedures at the regional level, such as in the context of the African Union and the European Union.] to which such reporting can be addressed: (i) the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, and in particular through the Committee for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR). (ii) the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York, which oversees the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and (iii) the International Labour Office (ILO) in Geneva, which in 2012 adopted Recommendation No.202 on National Social Protection Floors.

National platforms are most effective when various civil-society organizations and social organizations, such as trade unions, work closely together. They also benefit from the support of other actors, such as academics, journalists, UN agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the ILO, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF, as well as national human rights institutions (NHRIs).

ICSW is pleased to co-sponsor Global Social Welfare Digital Summit 2019 in cooperation with SWHelper located at www.socialworkhelper.com.

In order to commemorate its 90-years’ anniversary, the International Council on Social Welfare organized a symposium on 5 July 2018 in Dublin during the Joint World Conference on Social Work and Social Development.