World Social Work Day 2026 to focus on ‘Co-Building Hope and Harmony’ at UN

Social workers from across the globe will gather online at the United Nations Office at Geneva on 18 March 2026 to mark World Social Work Day under the theme: “Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society.”

The meeting will follow a week of celebrations of social work, beginning with The Social Work Show in Birmingham on Monday 16th March showcasing innovative practice, followed by numerous celebrations happening across the globe on the official World Social Work Day on 17th March.

Inspired by the African philosophy of harambee — meaning “pulling together” or “all for one” — this year’s event will spotlight the profession’s role in rebuilding trust, strengthening social cohesion and shaping inclusive and resilient communities.

Organisers say the theme underscores the “central role of social work in rebuilding trust within and between communities” and reflects aspirations for new “eco-social contracts” — societal agreements aimed at repairing fractured relationships between states and citizens, capital and labour, the global North and South, and between humans and the natural environment.

The 2026 theme aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Doha Political Declaration adopted by UN member states at the second World Summit for Social Development in Qatar in November 2025.

Against this backdrop, World Social Work Day (WSWD) will explore four key questions:

- How can social cohesion be fostered in marginalized communities?

- How can conflict, polarization and exclusion be overcome?

- How can social work contribute to building resilient communities?

- How can social workers and UN organizations collaborate for inclusive, resilient and peaceful societies?

The programme will feature opening remarks from UN and social work leaders, including Joachim Mumba, President of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). Keynote presentations will be delivered by Prof. Heather Boetto and Prof. Janestic M. Twikirize, followed by an international roundtable focused on overcoming divisions and strengthening resilience.

Organisers emphasise that in marginalized communities — where structural barriers, historical injustices and trauma can erode trust — social workers play a critical role in creating participatory spaces, mediating tensions and enabling communities to shape collective goals.

In contexts marked by polarization and conflict, social workers act as mediators and bridge builders, facilitating dialogue across groups with divergent experiences and interests. By challenging exclusionary narratives and promoting equitable participation, the profession contributes to societies where dialogue, respect and non-discrimination are valued.

The event will also examine the role of social work in strengthening community resilience. Social workers are described as vital in identifying local assets, nurturing collaborative networks and co-building solidarity mechanisms to withstand social and economic shocks. However, organisers acknowledge that “in times of long-term crises and multiple shocks, community resilience tends to be overstretched”, highlighting the need for advocacy and stronger links with public services and government programmes.

World Social Work Day at the UN in Geneva has been celebrated since 2012 and affirms the profession’s commitment to human dignity, social justice and sustainable development. The day was established through the initiative of the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) and IFSW, both of which hold special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council.

The 2026 event also builds on the Global Agenda 2030 for Social Work and Social Development, adopted in 2020 by IFSW, IASSW and the International Council of Social Welfare. The agenda commits the profession to promoting social and economic equality, the dignity and worth of people, and environmental and community sustainability.