Dean of the European University of Lefke (EUL) Health Sciences Faculty Prof. Dr. Şengül Hablemitoğlu made a statement on the occasion of the “World Social Work Day”, which is celebrated on the 3rd Tuesday of March every year by the International Social Service Federation.

Stating that this year, the International Social Work Federation – IFSW preferred to convey a different message globally on behalf of all social workers, Hablemitoğlu said that among the federation’s ten-year Global Social Work and Social Development goals between 2020-2030, the federation emphasized the Ubuntu philosophy with the theme of “I Am Here Because We Are: Strengthening Social Solidarity and Global Commitment.  Desmond Tutu, leader of the South African  who won Nobel Peace Prize, explains this philosophy as follows; “A person who believes in Ubuntu is open to all other people indiscriminately, does not marginalize, has a positive attitude, does not perceive people who are more talented and successful than him as a threat. Because the great human family has a self-esteem that comes from knowing that it is part of a whole, and when other people are humiliated, humiliated, persecuted, disadvantaged, or oppressed, they feel humiliated. “

Hablemitoğlu briefly mentioned how the ubuntu philosophy emerged in the continuation of his statement and mentioned the following; The philosophy of ubuntu separates the concept of us and me in every aspect of life. It was discovered thanks to an anthropologist. An anthropologist in Africa suggests playing games to the children of a tribe and says that the first person to reach the fruits he puts under a tree will be his reward to eat them. He says, “Come on now, the first one will get the prize.” All the children hold hands, run, come under the tree and start eating fruits together. The anthropologist is surprised by this situation. And when he asks the kids that this is a competitive game and why they do it like that, he gets the following answer from the kids; “This is -ubuntu-. How can only one of us eat that award when others are unhappy? ”

 Hablemitoğlu: Solidarity is a force that keeps societies alive

“Ubuntu is a thought and social understanding based on the idea that I wouldn’t be if it wasn’t for us. This year the commitment of all people and their environment to each other; This philosophy, which reflects the perspective of social work, is intended to be emphasized. The pandemic has accustomed all of us to a life style that is different from the past but very similar to each other. Our lives have become more vulnerable, more interconnected, and more vulnerable to various risks, both socially, economically, and healthily and environmentally.  Stating that we need global solidarity and the support of local cultures more than ever, Hablemitoğlu emphasized that solidarity is a force that keeps societies alive and gave his words as follows; This is the key approach in which we can all build an interconnected, sustainable fair future. On March 16, 2021, social workers invite all professionals, institutions and all those who care about the future, to a solidarity that can change the world together for the next generations. It reminds us that we should focus on each other’s happiness, well-being and health in these difficult times. Happy World Social Work Day.