Building a Stronger ASEAN Community: Ha Noi Declaration on Strengthening Social Work

Explainers

22 April 2024

Health, Labour & Civil Service, Social Welfare and Development

The 37th ASEAN Summit, held in Hanoi, Vietnam on 12th November 2020, marked a significant step towards a more cohesive and responsive ASEAN Community as the ASEAN Leaders adopted the Hanoi Declaration on Strengthening Social Work Towards Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community. This declaration underscores the critical role that social workers play in promoting social welfare and development within the ASEAN region.

This declaration underscores the critical role that social workers play in promoting social welfare and development within the ASEAN region.

The Hanoi Declaration outlines a comprehensive commitment from ASEAN member states to strengthen social work and leverage its potential for building a better future for the region. Here are some key aspects of the declaration:

The Hanoi Declaration on Social Work Commitments

Recognition and Support for Social Work

The declaration acknowledges social work as an essential part of social welfare. It goes beyond this recognition by emphasising the need for a comprehensive approach to strengthening the social work workforce in ASEAN. This could involve increased investment in social work education and training programmes to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce.

Focus on Vulnerable Populations

The declaration highlights the importance of social work in supporting vulnerable populations within ASEAN. This includes people with disabilities, the elderly, youth, women, children, migrant workers, and victims of violence and trafficking. By strengthening social work services and ensuring qualified professionals are available, the declaration aims to improve the delivery of social services to these populations.

Promoting Social Inclusion

The declaration emphasises the role of social work in achieving social inclusion. Social workers play a crucial role in advocating for the rights of vulnerable groups and ensuring equitable access to essential services for all members of ASEAN societies.

Strengthening Collaborations

The declaration encourages collaboration between ASEAN member states on social work initiatives. This includes knowledge sharing, capacity building, and developing best practices in the field. Collaboration could involve establishing regional standards for social work practice to ensure quality and consistency across the region, or promoting research and innovation in social work to develop effective interventions for addressing regional challenges.

Why is the Declaration Important?

The Hanoi Declaration is a significant development as it signifies a regional recognition of the vital role social workers play in addressing social challenges and promoting well-being. The declaration paves the way for collaboration between ASEAN member states to strengthen social work education, training, and practice. By strengthening social work, the declaration has the potential to improve the delivery of social services to vulnerable populations across ASEAN.

The Road Ahead

The Hanoi Declaration serves as a roadmap for advancing social work in ASEAN. Implementing the declaration will require concrete actions from member states, as outlined in the bulleted points above. By working together, ASEAN member states can leverage the power of social work to build a brighter future for all citizens in the region.