The Importance of Social Work in Social Cohesion

Assist. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Özada Nazım, a faculty member of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Cyprus International University (CIU), stated that World Social Work Day is a meaningful occasion in terms of reminding society of the importance of the social work profession. Nazım noted that the 2026 theme, determined by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), is “Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Bridge Divides in Society,” and explained that the East African-origin concept of “Harambee” refers to solidarity and collective action.
Emphasizing that this concept highlights the importance of collective responsibility, cooperation, and mutual support in overcoming the challenges faced by societies, Nazım underlined that the social work profession is one of the fundamental fields contributing to the empowerment of individuals, families, and communities.

Nazım stated that the multicultural structure of CIU allows different cultures to learn from and share with one another. She added that the activities organized throughout the year at the university contribute to students’ understanding of both their own cultures and the culture of the country where they pursue their education. She noted that this interaction significantly contributes to the development of cultural awareness and the strengthening of social cohesion.

Sharing that, as the Department of Social Work, they carry out academic studies that take cultural diversity into account and organize activities supporting social cohesion throughout the year, Nazım stated that the social work profession plays an important role in solving social problems encountered in society. She emphasized that identifying the needs of disadvantaged groups, developing social policies to address these needs, and strengthening social service practices are of great importance for building a more inclusive and just society.