Associations of Social Workers from region, supported by OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, sign Memorandum on Regional Co-operation

SARAJEVO, 21 March 2017 – On the occasion of World Social Work Day, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) supported the associations of social workers from BiH in organizing the conference “Challenges of social work in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, which concluded today in Sarajevo.   

At the conference, associations of social workers from BiH, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Republic of Montenegro, Republic of Serbia and Republic of Croatia signed the Memorandum on Regional Co-operation, aimed at improving social protection services in the region.

“Regardless of the commendable engagement of social workers, an ineffective system of social protection does not allow sufficient and adequate support for all those in need,” said the Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH Ambassador Jonathan Moore. “Co-operation between associations of social workers, the academic community and institutions is the key to positive change, which can only come as a result of their joint efforts.”

Mirnes Telalovic, President of the Federation of the BiH Association of Social Workers, said that the conference presented an opportunity for dialogue and exchange of experiences: “I am honoured that Bosnia and Herzegovina is hosting this conference gathering associations of social workers from the region. I hope that this practice will continue in the future.”

Srdjan Baralic, President of the Republika Srpska Association of Social Workers, said that issues in the area of social protection do not respect borders: “It is important for us to unite our efforts and capacities to address those issues, as well as to apply for European projects and programmes.”

The OSCE Mission to BiH continues to enhance the capacities of social protection professionals to improve the reach and effectiveness of their services and their capacity to advocate for needed legislative and policy changes.