This year is our second time hosting the International Symposium on Social Work Day held on March 24, 2023. This event celebrates and brings together social workers, practitioners, social work educators, government representatives, NGOs, IGOs, and more to discuss national and regional social work initiatives. The Symposium was attended by approximately 200 participants, both online and in person, as well as staff members. Over ten nationalities of speakers and international participants including senior/elderly population, LGBTQIA+, and people of vulnerable groups took part in the event.
After the Symposium, ACTSW conducted a Special Meeting of the Governing Board via Hybrid Video Conference on April 26, 2023. All of the Governing Board Members from10 ASEAN member states took notes of our progress and discussed succinctly on specific issues.
Moreover, the Meeting also highlighted some of ATCSW's accomplishments over the past year, including securing JICA Technical Cooperation and reviewing the year-End Report. Furthermore, for the first time, ACTSW witnessed the Training Need Assessment findings and the e-training course modules while also noted the success of the International Symposium.
All of which, as a result from the Symposium ATCSW is proposing the idea of a Business Model Prototype that would allow people with mental disabilities to work as recycling vending machine operators and receive payment from the companies that hire them. While also providing a financial incentive for the community to reclaim its bottles and cans through the vending machine fees set by the companies. For future consideration, ATCSW looks forward to broadening our horizon by collaborating with potential donors and assisting those in vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities and the elderly population.
Authored by: Onisha Asawaborisutthikul, Louis Levy of ATCSW
Source: ASEAN Training Center for Social Work and Social Development (ATCSW)