Social Workers Day 2012

Tuesday, 25 September 2012, 11:16 am
Press Release: Aotearoa NZ Association of Social Workers

Social Workers Day 2012

The journey from the coastal villages of Tairawhiti to the metropolitan expanse of Stockholm, Sweden naturally evoked for Tauha Te Kani, President of ANZASW, a deep feelings of anxiety and apprehension. His emotional maelstrom centered upon his responsibility to represent Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers at the 2012 International Federation of Social Workers Conference and the enormity of that role. The concept of “taukumekume” the balance of his negative and positive emotions was positioned within two parallel paradigms, “fear of the unknown” and “fear of failure”. Te Kani’s unknown was the culture of IFSW and the tikanga, the code of behaviour and kawa, the ceremonial rituals that would underpin this conference. Te Kani was waewae tapu, a newcomer to this land and therefore ignorance was also a contributing element to his tension.

However, upon arrival at the conference Te Kani very quickly discovered that his raft of fears were totally unfounded. A very significant learning from the conference is the fact that social workers belong to a universal family, a global whanau and as such have similar values that dictate and guide our interactions with other human beings. Globally, social workers are kith and kin driven by sentiments of realization of potential for those downtrodden by issues of commonality including global colonisation, neo liberal capitalism and the global economic recession. Social workers share a similar passion for confronting social issues that impact negatively upon the communities and nations that are our place of origin. We share a passion to eradicate and eliminate social injustice and address the widening gap between those who have and those who do not, caused by social inequalities. The tangible tentacles of these issues highlight the inextricable link between democracy, development & human rights. Human rights will always have the potential for controversy because it is the juncture, the intersection between poverty, inequality & human needs.

Roland Robertson, professor of sociology at University of Aberdeen, described this phenomenon as globalization, as "the compression of the world and the intensification of the consciousness of the world as a whole." It is at this point of concentrated consciousness, at the forefront of social advancement that social workers globally take their stand.

Therefore, the global importance of the social worker role filled Te Kani with an overwhelming, deep seated sense of pride. This is not to be confused with “whakahihi” bigheaded arrogance, but rather pride based on the notion that this was my “whanau”, that the people I heard speak with such eloquent articulation about global agenda items were the extended family that created connectivity and similarity to the way I thought and felt. Te Kani’s sense of belonging stemmed from the awakening of his concept of “whangai”, being feed food that empowered his mind to travel. Te Kani was awakened to the knowing that across the globe other nations, communities and families were being battered by the social inequality issues that impacted the lives of families in Cannons Creek, Merivale, Manurewa and Otangarei. It created global synergy to spend time with social workers from the nations of the world and hear their stories about working with clients in journeys of darkness, guiding them, walking beside, through paths to their potentiality. To hear the universal frustration of working under the political construct of neo liberal capitalism that focuses energies upon economic growth rather than social development. Neo liberalism causes social workers to decide who is worthy of assistance rather than concentrating on our core role, that of “whakamaramatanga” to shine a light into a dark place.

Te Kani also take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of Dr Rory Truell and Fiona Robertson who represent New Zealand on the International Federation of Social Worker’s board. Both were wonderful examples of our Kiwi pioneer characteristics and attributes. They worked tirelessly throughout the conference, welcoming, and guiding and signposting people to areas of interest and always with a distinct Kiwi humour.

Finally in closing, as we celebrate Social Workers Day 2012 Tauha Te Kani implores you to take a moment to reflect. As Te Kani’s colleague on the governance board Merrill Simmonds Hansen often reminds him, there is power in words. In the last year social workers have spoken words of potential and creativity into the lives of New Zealanders in conflict. Our spirits are tethered to our words of truth as we speak into situations of darkness, as we awhi, support and challenge those in need, those at risk of poor life outcomes. Thomas Jefferson said “the greatest element of democracy is truth” and as agents of democratic change let your truth be that you are making a difference, and that you are a part of the global social work family. Enjoy our day whanau, celebrate well for our public accolades are few and far between but you deserve this moment in the sun.

Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui

ENDS

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