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The IASW will hold a webinar to celebrate World Social Work Day 2025. The speakers are:

Alan Fay on Care Experiences: A Research & Data Project Examining the Lives of Children in Care and Adults who were in Care as Children

Valerie O'Brien on Kinship Care -  Intergenerational Opportunities and Constraints - Are there Ethical, Practical and Theoretical Implications for Social Work? 

Sarah Donnelly & Dr Catherine Elliott O'Dare will present on Adding Life to Years - Building Intergenerational Solidarity Across the Lifecourse for Sustainable Societies

Speaker Biographies

Alan Fay is a current member of the Care Experienced Expert Panel (CEEP), which is a key advisory structure of the Care Experiences Programme. Alan has been a member of the CEEP since it was established in 2023 and he also represents the CEEP on the Programme’s Stakeholder Advisory Group. Prior to becoming a member of the CEEP, Alan was a member of EPIC’s Youth Advisory Council.

Alan was part of the Youth Advisory Group, which worked on the EPIC publication Headphones, Odd Shoes and a Second Chance at Life. An Exploration of the Experiences of Children in Care & Care Leavers with Disabilities. Alan is a very active advocate for children and young people in care and adults who were in care as children.

Dr Catherine Elliott O’Dare is Assistant Professor in Social Policy at Trinity College Dublin. Catherine’s research focuses on the sociology and social policies of ageing - work, society and ageism (with an overarching emphasis on equality and social inclusion), intergenerational solidarity, friendship, and qualitative research methods. Catherine's recent research on intergenerational friendship and ageism, and grounded theory method, have generated high impact international publications. Catherine’s recent article in ‘The Conversation’ magazine on the topic of intergenerational friendship garnered 22,000 reads. In addition, Catherine has participated in international conferences [including in Finland, Germany, UK, and Norway] and nationally. Catherine has also engaged with enterprise and interest organisations on the topics of ageism, intergenerational solidarity and intergenerational relations in the workplace and society.

Sarah Donnelly is an Associate Professor of Social Work and Director of Global Engagement and Director of Profesional Practice at the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, University College Dublin and Chairperson of UCD’s Ageing Network. Sarah has co-edited the ‘Critical Gerontology for Social Workers’ Book (2022, Policy Press) and is academic advisor on Adult Safegarding to the IASW. Sarah’s research interests include ageing, dementia, human rights, capacity and decision-making, carer harm, adult safeguarding and homecare robotics.

Valerie O’Brien is an Associate Prof in UCD in the School of Medicine where she is  Programme Director of the Systemic Psychotherapy programme since 2018.  Previously, she trained Social Workers at the School of Social Policy Social Work and Social Justice in UCD from 1996 -2018. While working in academia, she has continued a practice base through her work as a social worker & family therapist, clinical supervisor, consultant and researcher.

Valerie has a particular interest in systemic approaches to practice and service delivery, governance  and working with complex issues that need solutions. She has wide experience of consulting with statutory, public and non-government  agencies in Ireland and overseas at both a service delivery and case level.  She has led a number of action-based demonstration research projects in respect of child and family welfare in foster and relative care, family group conferencing and adoption and has published widely in these areas. 

She has experience of participating on Local, National and European boards in respect of child  and family welfare  and  psychotherapy. She is currently Chairperson of Social Workers in Foster Care Group – in the Irish Association of Social Worker. Through these experiences, she brings an acute awareness of the importance of governance,  integrity, the need for sound judgement, and the importance of being respectful, reflective and sensitive in her work.

World Social Work Day takes place on 18 March 2025. This year’s theme is ‘Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing’, which emphasises the importance of caring and respecting across generations to build strong societies, sustain the environment, and share wisdom for a better future.

Joachim Mumba, IFSW President, stated: “This theme highlights the critical role of intergenerational care, respect, and collaboration in creating resilient communities and sustainable environments. It underscores the social work profession’s dedication to building connections that value the wisdom of our elders while empowering younger generations to tackle today’s challenges and envision a better future. Together, we can build a world where compassion and solidarity lay the groundwork for lasting well-being for everyone. As an African proverb says, ‘If you light a lamp for someone, it will also brighten your own path’. Our collective efforts to uplift one another ultimately illuminate the way forward for all.”

To learn more about the history of World Social Work Day, please click here.