It is against this backdrop that it has become imperative for workers, trade unionists, students, academics, service users and citizens to unite to discuss the impact of these draconian policies and to develop strategies for resistance. This meeting aims to raise awareness about these and other issues and to establish an ad hoc committee to organise and co-ordinate future activities and to represent the sub region at regional and national events.
Who are the SWAN?
SWAN is a broad based democratic social movement of people who believe in a just, equal and free society and who reject the logic that capitalism is the only basis for ensuring this. Indeed, in keeping with the values and ethos of the Radical Social Work tradition, the orientation of SWAN is towards a socialist alternative to the current rampant and inhumane capitalist order. As the SWAN manifesto states. “SWAN is a loose network of social work practitioners, academics, students and social welfare service users united in their concern that social work activity is being undermined by managerialism and marketisation, by the stigmatisation of service users and by welfare cuts and restrictions. We believe that good social work is a worthwhile activity that can help people address the problems and difficulties in their lives. Many of these difficulties are rooted in the inequalities and oppressions of the modern world and good social work necessarily involves confronting such structural and public causes of so many private ills.”
Who should attend?
Although, as noted above, historically linked to the re emerge of radical social work, SWAN is becoming a broad alliance of social workers, youth workers, community workers and other ‘human services’ workers that are concerned about the attacks on their respective professionals. So, the meeting is open to social work/youth work/community work students, trade unionists academics, practitioners and service users. ALL are welcome!
When and where is the event?
3-5 PM on 25th March 2011 , @Coventry University, Room RCG33, Richard Crossman Building, Jordan Well, Coventry CV1. Number 20 on the below location map: http://wwwm.coventry.ac.uk/university/maps/Pages/Campusmap.aspx
What
The event will be very participative so there will be ample opportunity for all to contribute. To frame the discussion, there will be two brief presentations from: Maggie Lewis, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Coventry University and local SWAN organiser and Rich Moth, SWAN West Midlands Coordinator and member of National committee.
There is no need to book a place – just turn up! For further information email Gurnam Singh at g.singh@coventry.ac.uk or John Harris at j.harris@warwick.ac.uk
