International Council on Social Welfare

About International Council on Social Welfare

ICSW is an NGO focused on advocacy, knowledge-building and technical assistance projects in various areas of social development carried out at country and international level. Created in 1928 in Paris to address complexities and challenges of social work, ICSW has evolved through the years to embrace the major issues of social development, becoming a global organization committed to improving human well-being. Vision Reduction of hardship and vulnerability, especially amongst disadvantaged sectors is the priority concern of ICSW. Representing tens of thousands of community organizations, our network helps vulnerable groups to cope with risks and challenges of life. As an umbrella organization ICSW works to empower it members to participate fully in society as responsible citizens, with a greater civic voice and capacity to achieve meaningful results. We work in partnership with other civil society organizations, government structures, the academic community and international organizations. Upholding dignity of all—young, old, people with disabilities, migrants and refugees, indigenous people-- is a key driver of our activities. ICSW strives for recognition and realization of all human rights, including fundamental rights to employment, income, food, shelter, education, health care and security. We are keen to promote gender equality and empowerment of women. Social Protection ICSW has a particular focus on promoting social protection, seeing it as a human right and an investment in people. The ICSW continues to support the development and implementation of the Social Protection Floor Initiative, emphasizing the importance of a universal approach to social protection covering all social groups across the life cycle. We are the founding members of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors and actively participate in major international cooperation meetings to promote social protection initiatives and most effective schemes across the globe.

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