New york: Qatar Foundation for Social Work concluded its participation in the work of the 64th session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development (CSocD), held at the UN headquarters in New York. This engagement was part of efforts to follow up on the outcomes of the Second World Summit for Social Development, implement the Doha Political Declaration, and enhance international efforts towards social development and justice through coordinated policies.
According to Qatar News Agency, the delegation was led by Rashid Mohammed Al Hamda Al Naimi, CEO of Qatar Foundation for Social Work. The Foundation, in its role as a consultant to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), engaged in various official sessions and organized a side event in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Qatar to the UN, alongside UNICEF and UNESCO. Al Naimi delivered a speech emphasizing the critical challenge of aligning public policies with successful field experiences to reflect the actual needs of diverse groups.
Al Naimi highlighted the Foundation's development of applied models that transition social policies from a care logic to an empowerment logic. He pointed out that the Foundation's programs in integrating people with disabilities, empowering women, supporting children and youth, and strengthening family roles are based on a vision of investing in people and ensuring their societal participation. He stressed the importance of involving concerned groups in policy formulation through sustainable mechanisms to enhance policy realism and fairness.
A side event titled 'Empowering Social Workers for a Changing World: New Competencies and Partnerships for Inclusive Social Development' was organized by the Foundation. This event underscored the vital role of social workers and the necessity of investing in their professional competencies to address evolving social challenges. Al Naimi remarked that empowering social workers is a strategic necessity for effective social policy implementation and building resilient societies.
Al Naimi advocated for multilateral partnerships as crucial for expanding impact and inclusivity in social development. Sheikha Najla bint Ahmed Al-Thani, Executive Director of the Orphan Care Center (Dreama), also emphasized the importance of developing the alternative care system and enhancing service quality for children to ensure their stable and supportive upbringing.