VSU Celebrates Social Work Day, Hosts Workshop With Gary Bailey March 13

Gary Bailey (Source: Simmons College)

VALDOSTA — The Department of Social Work at Valdosta State University will present Human Rights and Social Justice: The Soul of Social Work from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13, in the University Center Cypress Room. Admission is free of charge and open to the public. 

Gary Bailey, a professor of practice at Boston, Mass.-based Simmons College’s School of Social Work and School of Nursing and Health Sciences, will explore the intersection of human rights and social justice and the role of social workers in promoting equity and fairness. He will also discuss the global agenda for social work and social development, as well as the role that social workers must play in reshaping the image of the profession.

“Social workers have been in the forefront in addressing human rights violations and promoting social justice throughout the world,” he shared with the VSU Department of Social Work. “In academia and practice, as individuals, in coalitions, as part of organized action movements, or in communities at home and abroad, social workers have struggled to support the dignity of people, their rights to live in peace, to work, educate their children, and be healthy and safe. Social upheavals, war, forced dislocation, and genocide continue to threaten the welfare of societies everywhere.

“Current world conditions require a coordinated approach and leadership within the social work profession to strengthen the profession’s capacity, determination, and commitment to ensure human rights and social justice to vulnerable populations within our times.”

Bailey’s workshop is part of a full celebration of Social Work Day at VSU. The festivities will kick off at 11:30 a.m. with an introduction by Dr. Mizanur Miah, head of the Department of Social Work, and a welcome by Dr. William McKinney, president of VSU. This will be followed by a proclamation signing with Valdosta Mayor John Gayle at 11:40 a.m. and an induction ceremony for new members of the Epsilon Delta chapter of Alpha Delta Mu National Social Work Honors Society Inc. at noon.

An optional lunch will be served at 12:15 p.m. and costs $15. Continuing education units will be available for social work professionals who need them. The cost for that is $65 and includes lunch.

Pre-registration is required and available at http://bit.ly/1wLQLY4. The workshop is free of charge and open to anyone, although it will be especially beneficial to students pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) or professionals in the field. Payment for lunch and/or continuing education units will be accepted at the event. 

“Mr. Gary Bailey is an outstanding authority and internationally-reputed social worker and an avowed advocate for human rights and social justice,” shared Miah. “He is a past president of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), representing over 90 professional social work associations having over 750,000 social workers around the world.”

Social Work Day at VSU, Miah added, is “a great opportunity for all of us in the region to hear from Mr. Bailey. I am sure no one wants to miss this incredible opportunity.”

VSU’s Department of Social Work can be reached by calling (229) 249-4864.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/education/social-work/

http://www.simmons.edu/Faculty/Gary-Bailey

http://www.naswfoundation.org/pioneers/b/bailey.html

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Goal 5: Develop and enhance Valdosta State’s human and physical resources.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.