Manila: The Philippines, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), will be hosting the 13th ASEAN Social Work Consortium (ASWC) Conference from April 29 to 30 via online video conference. With the theme, 'Promoting Competency-development and Standardization Towards Strengthening Social Work in ASEAN,' the conference aims to reinforce regional cooperation to enhance social work practice and education across the ASEAN region.

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who also serves as the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting for Social Welfare and Development (AMMSWD) Leader of the Philippines, emphasized the significance of the ASWC Conference. He stated, "The ASWC plays a significant role in championing interconnectivity for growth and development, with emphasis on shared values, standardized quality practices, and exchange of learnings that transcend borders."

Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar of the DSWD's International Affairs, Attached and Supervised Agencies, who also serves as the Philippine Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD) Permanent Focal Point, highlighted the importance of the conference in promoting regional solidarity. She noted, "The 13th ASWC Conference will serve as a significant platform to share good practice and to determine new areas for regional collaboration to unify the diverse frameworks for social work education, training, and practice in the ASEAN region."

Villar mentioned that the event will also review the progress on the implementation of the ASWC Work Plan 2021-2025 through the sharing of good practices and open-session discussions with partner development agencies. Among the expected participants of the conference are the ASWC country coordinators, SOMSWD leaders, ASEAN Secretariat members, participants from ASEAN sectoral bodies and dialogue partners, United Nation agencies, development partners, non-government organizations, and civil society organizations.