Korea Association of Social Workers
803 World vision Bldg.
24-2 Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu
Seoul 150-877, Korea

[PRESS RELEASE / 2 May 2007]
	Contact: Soojung Kim FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tel. +82-2-786-0847 Fax. +82-2-786-0191 E-mail: apswc2005@empal.com

First Social Workers' Day In Korea Held By Korea Association Of Social Workers Celebrating Its 40th Anniversary 

The Korea Association of Social Workers(KASW) held the First Social Workers' Day in Seoul, the capital of Korea on 21 April 2007. It was held in celebration of its 40th anniversary and its theme was “Social Work Festival with the General Public.” It was organized by the Korea Association of Social Workers and mainly sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea.

The idea of the First Social Workers’ Day in Korea was initiated after the Korean delegation attended the IFSW 2006 Conference held in Munich, Germany. Representatives of IFSW member countries agreed to establish the International Social Work Day sponsored by UN and to promote it in each country. KASW developed the idea and combined it with its 49th anniversary.   

The Festival attracted 2,000 participants from social work organizations and the public. Special guests from Japan, the neighboring country, attended and congratulated on its 40th anniversary and the First Social Work Day in Korea. Congratulatory messages from IFSW-AP, NASW, Russian Association, Kyrgyzstan Association were delivered to KASW and its members.

The Festival was full of events including proclamation of the First Social Workers’ Day in Korea, Soccer Tournament of Korean Social Workers, and exhibits of social work organizations. It was well organized to be successful and to solidify Korean social workers.

Lastly, Dr. Soung-Yee Kim, the president of KASW, mentioned, “it is hoped that this Festival will be one of many steps toward establishing the UN-sponsored International Work Day.”

Dr. Soung-Yee Kim, the president of KASW, is proclaiming the First Social Workers’ Day in Korea.

▶Participants are celebrating the 40th anniversary of KASW and the First Social Workers Day in Korea.