International Conference of Social Work Secretariat Records

The International Conference of Social Work was proposed at the 50th National Conference of Social Work in Washington, D. C., 1923, Dr. Rene Sand from Belgium, suggested that similar conferences be organized internationally. The National Conference of Social Work (NCSW), the American Association of Social Workers, and a number of American foundations provided financial support. In 1927 an international organization committee was organized under the chairmanship of Dr. Alice Masarykova, and national committees were formed. The first International Conference was held in Paris in 1928 with over 2500 dlegates from 42 countries. At this Conference the organization committee was established as a Permanent Committee. An Executive Board oversaw preparations for each conference, in conjunction with national committees that helped to set the program and agenda. The Conference also connected social workers in different countries to create a forum for research and consultation. The International Conference had consultative status with the UN, UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO, International Labor Office, the Organization of American States, and the Council of Europe. It also worked to establish new branches and did fund raising; sponsored social welfare study tours in connection with biennial meetings; and published the proceedings of the biennial meetings and a quarterly journal, International Social Work, in cooperation with the International Association of Schools of Social Work and the International Federation of Social Workers.