Social workers launch new association |20 October 2015

A new association for social workers called the Seychelles Empowerment-Base Social Workers Association (SEBSWA) has been launched.

SEBSWA aims to promote empowerment, support and respect of social workers, while ensuring continuous professional development and raise professional standards across the profession.

It has been created to respond to the current and future challenges of the country, ensuring that the people they serve benefit the most out of their practices.

Present at the launch ceremony held at the Care House in Victoria were the vice-chancellor of the University of Seychelles Professor Denis Hardy, the principal secretary for social affairs Linda William-Melanie, the chairperson of the association Georges Nicette and members of SEBSWA.

Mr Nicette said SEBSWA intends to act as the voice of the social work profession.

“SEBSWA intends to act as the voice of the social work profession through representation in the media, with the government and employers. It will play an important role in bringing together social care professionals, government, NGOs/ civil society and communities for the long-term benefit of Seychelles,” he said.

He added that the association will also build collaboration and involvement of social workers with other social care professionals.

“At the heart of that, it serves to build collaboration and involvement of social workers with other social care professionals from different organisations, both locally and internationally,” he said.

He noted that the association’s mission seeks to ensure that social workers perform to the highest standards in their profession, while effectively engaging with people who access their services, hence empowering them and the service users.

During the ceremony some former social workers who have been in the profession for a significant number of years were rewarded.

The members of SEBSWA are Georges Nicette (chairperson), Steven Robert (vice-chairperson), Grace Irimani (secretary), Angella Ernesta (vice-secretary), Marinette Esparon (treasurer), Angella Ernesta, Lindy Nancy, Paquerette Fanchette, Guillianne Philoe, Stephanie Remie, Keddy Woodcock and Jimroy Jeannevole.

The members also cut a cake to commemorate the occasion.