J Swanson-Jacobs to officiate at conference of social workers in South
Africa, 13 to 14 Sept

10 September 2007

The Deputy Minister for Social Development, Jean Swanson-Jacobs will
officiate the first ever cross-sectoral conference of social workers in South
Africa at the Birchwood Hotel on 13 to 14 September 2007 under the theme,
'Towards establishment of a Unified Professional Association for Social
Workers'.

The conference seeks to:
* form a unified professional association,
* present a draft constitution for the unified association.

Time: 10h00
Date: 13 to 14 September 2007
Venue: Birchwood Hotel

Media is invited to cover the event.

Programme: Social Work Consultative Lekgotla

Programme: 12 September 2007

16h00 to 17h30: Registration
18h30: Reception Cocktail

Programme Director

* Opening remarks
* Speech – President of the South African Council for Social Service
(SACSSP)
* Speech – Special guests
* Message of Support from International Federation of Social Workers
(IFSW)
* Dinner

Closure

Programme: Day 1 (13 September 2007)
Open Session

Programme Director: Ashely Theron

07h00 to 10h00: Registration and tea
10h00 to 12h30: Opening ceremony

* Opening remarks – Director-General: V Madonsela
* Background and purpose
* Social worker motivational Speaker (Testimony)
* IFSW
* Association of Future Social Workers (AFSW)
* Edna Molewa (Former Social Worker and Premier of North West)
* Minister

12h30 to 13h30: Lunch
13h30 to 14h30: Business session

Plenary: Prof Seepaw

* Process outlined
* Structures governing social workers and role clarification
* Benefits of association – Ronelle Sartour
* Introducing the draft constitution

14h30 to 16h0: Commissions - Constitution

Aims and objectives
* Membership and fees
* Governance
* Meetings

16h00 to 16h30: Tea
16h30 to 17h45: Feedback session
17h45: Closure

Closing time for nominations: 21h00

Team to consolidate the inputs and present the final constitutions for
adoption.

Team to do counting of nominations.

Programme: Day 2 (14 September 2007)

Programme Director: Prof Fikile Mazibuko

8h30 to 8h45: Summary of previous day
8h45 to 10h00: Ratify constitution
10h00 to 10h15: Announcement of nomination
10h15 to 11h00: Acceptances of nominations
11h00 to 12h30: Tea/Voting
12h30 to 13h30: Lunch
13h30 to 14h00: Plenary Announcement of Executive Committee
14h00 to 14h15: Special draw
14h15 to 14h25: Closing remarks by Deputy Minister
14h25 to 14h30: Vote of thanks

For enquiries call:
Jonas Mashigo
Tel: 012 312 7793
Cell: 082 735 2694

Issued by: Department of Social Development
10 September 2007