The role of Social Work as a pillar of the welfare state

Former Federal Minister Johannes Rauch opened the evening with a keynote speech on the topic "Social Work must always be political, political work must always be social!" Johanna Hefel, FHV professor and President of the Austrian Society for Social Work (ogsa) and Julia Pollak, Managing Director of the Austrian Professional Association of Social Work (obds) gave an insight into current developments in Social Work with regard to quality assurance. They also took a look at the status and prospects of a possible nationwide professional law based on the Social Work Designation Act and other relevant social work documents.

Social debate called for
The importance of Social Work for society was the focus of the well-attended event. In times of growing social inequality, increasing economic challenges and political polarization, the role of Social Work as a supporting pillar of the welfare state becomes particularly clear. Johannes Rauch, former Federal Minister for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, emphasized: "We must not be under any illusions: Budget funds will become significantly tighter in the coming years. We need to have a social debate about what we invest the available money in. Social investments are investments in people's future - and in social peace, social cohesion and democracy. They are not an obstacle, but a prerequisite for economic success - in Austria, in Europe and globally."

Participation and pluralism
Johanna Hefel, President of the Austrian Society for Social Work (ogsa) and FHV professor, emphasized the political and ethical dimension: "Social Work has been political since its origins - Jane Addams received the Nobel Peace Prize for it. Social Work is committed to human rights and social justice. At a time of increasing exclusion and social division, there must be no further cuts for those who are already disadvantaged. A political culture of isolation promotes social exclusion. Social Work sends out a clear signal for participation and pluralism." Carmen Hofer-Temmel, Head of the Social Work competence field and programme director of the Social Work master's degree programme at the FHV, emphasized the educational mission: "At a societal level, Social Work is about achieving more justice for people in disadvantaged life situations."

Federal law urgently needed
The Managing Director of the Austrian Professional Association of Social Work (obds), Julia Pollak, called for a legal framework. The social worker pointed out that the profession and discipline of Social Work has an indispensable function in the Austrian welfare state and emphasized: "The creation of legal certainty through a federal law for Social Work is urgently needed. Only together can the hurdles created by the existing fragmentation be overcome." Christoph Krenn, Chairman of the obds, emphasized that the necessary recognition and legal protection through a federal law is overdue. "We welcome the fact that our long-standing demand has been taken up in the government program and are pushing for rapid implementation."

You can watch the event here.