Welcome to IASWG

The International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG), Inc. is the premier international association for social workers and allied helping professionals engaged in group work. The purpose of this non-profit, member-driven organization is to promote excellence in group work practice, education, field instruction, research and publication. The goals of this Association are realized through a program of action and advocacy at both the local and international levels. Members include group workers from Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, China, Croatia, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Lithuania, Namibia, Netherlands, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Trinidad-Tobago, and U.S. IASWG is a global organization, and we are pleased to invite you to view our IASWG Standards of Group Work Practice in several languages: French, Spanish and English.

As the members of the IASWG organization celebrate their 40th International Symposium in South Africa, it is our view that our 2018 symposium theme of “Bridging the Divide: Group Work for Social Justice” is an appropriate and relevant theme in our current global environment. At the core of social group work is the need to bridge the divide to develop mutual aid to foster a socially just society where all members have the same opportunities to attain material goods, income and wealth. The valuing of diverse perspectives and experiences is a heartfelt call to understanding the meaning of Ubuntu in South Africa and all of Africa. Ubuntu is about humaneness, and it embraces values of respect, solidarity, community development, social responsibility, justice, and equality. That said, bridging the divide, in our view, suggests more than just an appreciation of diversity. It is a real recognition of being part of humanity. Bridging the divide for social justice is about people living and working in a globalized society brought together with a common group purpose.

Easily accessed by road and air, the symposium venue at Skukuza Rest Camp is fenced-in, making it safe to move about freely. It overlooks the Sabie River, where big game such as elephants, hippopotamuses, and buffaloes are often found; there is also a high concentration of lions, hyenas, and leopards. The symposium will conveniently take place onsite at the state-of-the-art conference facility. The conference center was designed to blend in with the existing safari theme, while still maintaining a high level of comfort, complimented by modern equipment and amenities. The center is within walking distance from all lodging accommodations, which are reasonably priced and cater to a variety of guest requirements. Learn more about this exciting and once in a life experience here.