THE Ministry of Social Protection in collaboration with the University of Guyana (UG), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers (GAPSW) will be hosting a conference on Standards for Professional Social Work Practice from July 20 to 21.This conference is the first of its kind to be held in Guyana, and targets social work administrators, practitioners and educators, the Government Information Agency (GINA) stated.
According to GINA, the conference aims to allow key stakeholders to examine their practice in social work and present research, thereby contributing to the knowledge on the need for ethical and professional practice in Guyana.
GINA quoted the Ministry of Social Protection as saying that many professions globally and locally are licensed and guided by codes of conduct, but that this is not the same for the social work profession in Guyana.
“The absence of licensure and other mechanisms to safeguard ethical standards and monitor, and elevate professional competencies has led to a largely unregulated practice landscape,” GINA stated.
Additionally, the emerging and increasing trends in social problems nationally demand that Guyana be equipped with a social service workforce that is capable of delivering quality professional services, whilst responding to the needs of the nation, GINA said the ministry explained.
The information agency reported that the conference will explore thematic issues within the realm of ethical practice that will facilitate the exchange of ideas between and amongst practitioners, administrators, students, service users and academics.
This event is timely, since there has been an upsurge in social problems such as suicide, gender-based violence, child abuse, youth crime and teenage pregnancy, GINA stated.
The conference will be held at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre (ACICC). Persons desirous of participating are asked to contact Oslyn Crawford on telephone numbers 225-6212 or 680-3200 for registration.