THE Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers (GAPSW) joins the rest of the world today in celebrating the work of the many men and women who have dedicated their lives to the advocacy call for social justice, gender equality, human rights and many of the other social ills that have plagued our society.In commemorating Social Work Day 2015, we stand with the rest of the world acknowledging the outstanding contributions made by Social Workers and Social Educators and we continue to encourage our national, regional and international communities to give more importance to this celebration, not only on the national stage, but also to lend support to all those engaged in the practice of social work.

The global theme “Social Work paves the way for change” is well suited to our local context, as it highlights the important roles Social Workers continue to play in empowering individuals and families in the face of prevailing global economic and social conditions. As Social workers, we have the duty of facilitating positive change within our society. We must therefore empower individuals and groups to reach their fullest potential to make their contribution towards equitable and sustainable development of our country.
The Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers will continue to support people in crisis and make a compelling case for modern social work in mental health services, particularly earlier intervention and building resilience.
We acknowledge that the challenges faced among the social work organizations, whether Government or Non-Government, are tumultuous in nature and therefore require the consolidation of efforts and commitment by all partners. Together we must ensure that we resuscitate our people from the perils of the social and economic scourge that has bedevilled the very fabric of our society.

As an Association, we stand ready and prepared to collaborate with other entities to combat the challenges of mental health, suicide prevention and intervention, domestic violence, human rights, and the protection of children, among others.

The GAPSW salutes all the individuals who in some way are helping to make a difference in the lives of people from different segments of society. Be mindful that anyone can make a difference, but only a few have the necessary qualities to pursue change every day. We embrace the theme and pledge to continue to work towards a positive outcome for individuals, families and communities in need. Together we can make a world of difference, not indifference.
We take this opportunity to salute our founder member of the Social Work Unit, University of
Guyana, and the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers, Ms Sybil Patterson.
Happy Social Work Day to all in Guyana and around the world!