Meaning of profession A profession is an occupation which requires a higher educational qualification degree, diploma or certificate.

. Sometimes it is thought of as an occupation involving a degree of ethical responsibility. Professional Associations Professional organizations are good sources of information for not only what is happening in the professional organization but also in the field in general. Professional organizations often promote policies and best practices that reflect the professional organizations own goals and values. The organizations here represent a variety of interest groups for social and human services workers. In addition to providing information about them, these organizations also provide information around credentialing for practitioners.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS International Council of Social Welfare International Council of Social Welfare is now representing more than 50 countries throughout the world. International Council of Social Welfare has the highest level of consultative status with the United Nations (UN) in relation to the work of the Economic and Social Council. It is also accredited to FAO, ILO, UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO and to regional intergovernmental organizations. The international offices at Geneva, Netherlands, Kampla and New York. ICSW is working in the field of social welfare came in existence in India in 1947 with central office at Mumbai. This organization was responsible in the formation of Ministry of Welfare at

the centre. It works in close co-ordination with central and state governments, other voluntary organizations and international bodies in social service fields.

International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) The International Federation of Social Workers is a successor to the International Permanent Secretariat of Social Workers, which was founded in Paris in 1928 and was active until the outbreak of World War II. It was not until 1950, at the time of the International Conference of Social Work in Paris, that the decision was made to create the International Federation of Social Workers, an international organization of professional social workers. The original agreement was that the IFSW would come into being when seven national organizations agreed to become members. After much preliminary work, the Federation was finally founded in 1956 at the time of the meeting of the International Conference on Social Welfare in Munich, Germany IFSW is the voice of professional social work around the world with member organizations in 80 countries including almost with almost half a million members

NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS The Indian Society of Professional Social Work (ISPSW) The Indian Society of Professional Social Work (ISPSW), the oldest association of professional Social Workers in India, has been geared towards this goal. The Society was formally known as Indian Society of Psychiatric Social Work established in the year 1970 by Dr. R.K. Upadhyaya and his staff of the Dept of Psychiatric Social Work, Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi. Later, it has been constantly upgraded to reach the current status of professional identity and recognition by Dr. I. A. Sharieff and the staff, Dept. of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore. The present

name of the Society was considered in the year 1988, because of an increased representation of the trainers, practitioners and researchers of all specializations of Social Work. The association primarily focuses on uniting the professional social workers to debate, discuss and develop conceptual frameworks and feasible indigenous interventions of social work for practice in India. In order to facilitate this purpose, the Society has so far conducted 24 annual Conferences and many seminars and symposia on various social issues, all over India. The Silver Jubilee Conference of the Society is being held on 8-10 Dec2006 in the Department of Social Work, Viswabharathi, Santhinikethan, Bhirbhum (Dist) West Bengal. The best paper presentations were awarded through four categories of awards for Social Work Teachers, Researchers, Practitioners and Students. Many of the life members of this Society are representing various reputed National and International organizations, Universities and other agencies all over the World. The Society has regularly identified and felicitated many esteemed personalities from the Social Work and its related fields. The Australian Association of Social Workers The Australian Association of Social Workers is the professional representative body of Social Workers in Australia, with 6,000 members nation-wide. The AASW is an incorporated company, guided by a constitution and nationally managed by a Board of Directors, elected from and by the membership. A Branch Management Committee, also elected from and by their respective Branch membership, manages each of our 10 Branches. We also have a vibrant community of national committees and practice groups further supporting the work of the association. Chief Executive Officer, Kandie Allen-Kelly, leads our team of 30 staff working in the Branches and our national offices located in Canberra and Melbourne. The Council on Social Work Education The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is a nonprofit national association representing more than 3,000 individual members, as well as graduate and undergraduate programs of professional social work education. Founded in 1952, this partnership of educational and professional institutions, social welfare agencies, and private citizens is recognized by the

Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in this country. Association of Social Workers, India (ASWI) ASWI wish to exist as professional social organization of social workers aimed at collective welfare. Vision Pursuit of social justice and promotion of the best possible quality of life for each individual, group and community in society for both its members and the clients of social workers, particularly the disadvantaged and marginalized. Mission We are the professional association of social workers in India and promote the profession of Social Work. We advance Social Work practice and values to create a just and compassionate society. OBJECTIVES To promote the profession of social work. To provide an organisation through which social workers can develop a professional identity. To establish, monitor and improve practice standards. To contribute to the development of social work knowledge and research. To network and advocate on behalf of clients. To actively support social structures and policies pursuant to the promotion of social justice.

STATE LEVEL ASSOCIATIONS The Professional Social Workers' Association (PSWA) The Professional Social Workers' Association (PSWA) is an association of Tamil Nadu social work professionals, headquartered at Chennai. It is a legally registered entity, formerly known as "Professional Social Workers' Forum" (PSWF). The Association is functioning since 1985. They are also organizing an annual state level seminar pertaining to current social work challenges and practices.