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Social Minister Encourages Social Workers to Take Real Roles in Overcoming the Impact of the Pandemic

Social Minister Encourages Social Workers to Take Real Roles in Overcoming the Impact of the Pandemic
Writer :
Koesworo
Translator :
Karlina Irsalyana

JAKARTA (March 16, 2021) - Now, the challenges in social welfare development are getting stronger and more dynamic. Various issues have emerged as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, including racism, violence, hunger, climate change, injustice, and inequality.

 

Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini instructed social workers to contribute significantly in handling various social welfare challenges as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Minister of Social Affairs invited social workers and related parties to strengthen cooperation and strengthen solidarity.

 

“This crisis has also taught us that globally, we are all connected and influence each other, breaking through all the boundaries and 'boxes' that we have always believed in as an identity. Let's increase cooperation and strengthen solidarity," said the Minister of Social Affairs when giving a speech at the online commemoration of "World Social Work Day 2021" in Jakarta (16/03).

 

World Social Work Day is celebrated every year on the third week of March. This year it falls on March 16, 2021. This commemoration is a mandate from the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) for member countries and organizations, especially social workers around the world to voice and promote important issues about humanity every year.

 

This year, promoted by IFSW, it contained in the global agenda of social work & social development 2020-2030, is Ubuntu: I Am Because We Are: Strengthening Social Solidarity and Global Connectedness.

 

Regarding the theme of the activity, the Minister of Social Affairs stated that Ubuntu is not something new for the people of Indonesia. She believes that across the ocean in Africa, as social beings, we also share the same values.

 

"We have philosophical values ​​in our culture, we know the terms "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika", "gotong royong", "tepo seliro", "deliberation in consensus", "united we stand, divided we fall", "Pela Gandong" and many others. All of them means a bond of unity that lifts brothers and sisters", "social solidarity" and many other very diverse Indonesian philosophies of life," she said.

 

But most importantly, don't forget how the foundation of our country, Pancasila, clearly describes the philosophy of the Indonesian nation. And we should apply every precept in our daily life. "I am worried that the loss of understanding of the values ​​of Pancasila will threaten our survival as the Indonesian nation," she said.

 

In his next speech, the Minister of Social Affairs stated, we all have one identity, namely "humans" with the essence that accompanies them. The most important value in life as a human being is taking care of each other, not leaving anyone, no matter what.

“We must also prioritize those who are most vulnerable in society. We must be able to turn this crisis into an opportunity,” said the Minister. In line with this, the Minister also emphasized the seriousness of the government in handling the pandemic, namely by starting the vaccination stage.

“The vaccination program brings new hope, new enthusiasm that we can recover, we can rise and move forward again to achieve a just and prosperous society. But we must not be careless, vaccines are not a sign that the pandemic will end soon," she said. We still have to maintain vigilance, we still have to apply health protocols and we still have to help those affected to recover.

She did not forget to ask social workers to take a role to contribute to overcoming the gap in social welfare services by taking into account the inequality of access to communication technology. "Social workers are required to show new initiatives and ideas to remain able to provide the best services for those in need by prioritizing the principles of security and safety," he said.

The commemoration of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) was accompanied by a seminar agenda. The seminar participants numbered between 500-3,000 people consisting of social workers both working in government and private circles and non-governmental organizations and practitioners; policymakers; the Officials of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Social Offices, ministries, and legislative bodies.




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