The Sustainable Development Goals and Aging: Implications for Social Work

Social work can be an effective tool in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically those concerning children and families such as ending poverty, hunger, promoting good health, wellbeing, peace, justice, and strong institutions. Now, more than ever, with the COVID-19 pandemic, social work has a crucial role in promoting the SDGs through communities that are suffering from illness, isolation, grief, economic despair and mental health illness, and particularly to support children. Using a case study from the post-conflict partially recognized state of Abkhazia, this article will discuss how strengthening and expanding the social work profession can support communities striving to meet Sustainable Development Goals related to child outcomes. We will present the general social work model of practice and training program developed in Abkhazia, in collaboration with UNICEF.

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Developmental Social Work and the Sustainable Development Goals in South Africa: Opportunities and Challenges

The International Journal of Community and Social Development ◽

10.1177/2516602620975226 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 251660262097522

Author(s):

Emmison Muleya

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Sustainable Development ◽

Social Work ◽

Sustainable Development Goals ◽

Work Practice ◽

Social Work Practice ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Poverty And Inequality ◽

The Social ◽

Development Goals

The main thrust of this article concerns the potential for the social work profession to contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which overlap with developmental social work, specifically with respect to poverty and inequalities in South Africa. Although developmental social work practice may attempt to tackle the structural causes of poverty and inequality, relatively few studies appear to have been conducted to evaluate the contribution of this approach to attaining SDGs. The article draws from contemporary available literature and documents and the author’s observations pertaining to developmental social work and the role which it can play in attaining SDGs in the context of present-day South Africa. The review revealed the potential for developmental social work to make a meaningful contribution to attaining SDGs and the factors which could continue to hinder developmental social work practice, thereby making it difficult for SDGs.

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THE ROLE OF GERONTOLOGISTS IN ACHIEVING THE UN’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.293 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S75-S75

Author(s):

Toni C Antonucci

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Sustainable Development ◽

Human Rights ◽

Social Work ◽

Older People ◽

Sustainable Development Goals ◽

Well Being ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Development Goals ◽

And Gender

Abstract The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) developed by the United Nations in 2015 have as their underlying theme, the pledge that no one will be left behind. The SDGs address global poverty, inequality, climate change, the environment, peace and justice. They are intended to be global benchmarks to be reached by 2030 to ensure well-being and prosperity while protecting and promoting human rights and freedoms (UN, 2015). They envision a world without poverty, where all persons can live with dignity and security in societies free of violence and discrimination based on the foundation of universal human rights. The 17 goals and their 169 targets cover a range of social and economic development issues from poverty and gender inequality to climate change and sustainable cities. These goals are both interrelated and indivisible with each important for individual and social well-being. For example, achieving gender equality can help eradicate poverty while improved health can contribute to increased individual productivity and economic growth. Unfortunately, the needs of older people are larger ignored. In this symposium we outline how gerontologists can and have contributed to the SDG goals. We provide input from four disciplines whose work directly addresses the needs of older people. The four disciplines are: health- how do we meet the health needs of older people, psychology – what are the mental health issues facing older people, public policy – how can\has governments assist through laws and policy, and social work – how can social work address the needs of the vulnerable old.

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