MLCU observes World Social Work Day
SHILLONG: A redefinition of social work and social workers is a requirement noted at an event to mark World Social Work Day, held at Martin Luther Christian University, here on Tuesday.
A programme was organised by the university’s Social Work Department at its Nongthymmai Centre.
The purpose was to sensitise the social work students and designed to invoke a sense of purpose as their future professionals prepare themselves academically and through experiential learning.
The theme for this year was “All people matter” and the students were spoken to about the values of social work, such as social service, social justice, human dignity, integrity and competence in redering service to the public.
The special guest was Celine Lawai of The Association of Challenged People, who spoke about the government’s need to consider changes to policies concerning marginalised members of the public.
Another speaker was Farida Warjri, director of People’s Learning Centre.
“The world today needs balance, all people need to have equal access to resources,” Warjri said. “It is therefore necessary to re-examine the role of a social professional in the social paradigm so that they remain relevant and in a position to meet these ever changing challenges.”
It was emphasised during the programme that social workers and societ as a whole has to have the audacity to bring about positive change.
RG Lyngdoh, vice chancellor of MLCU, reminded the students that they were not there by chance but because of a calling.
“We need to be patient with development,” Lyngdoh also said. “At times timelines need to be flexible – we can’t put development in a pressure cooker and expect results immediately.”
As part of a student exercise to engage with the community, a group of around 30 students staged a flash mob to sensitise the public around the message found in this year’s theme. The flash mob took place at the MUDA complex in Khyndailad.