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The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) links professional social workers around the globe, representing social worker organisations in 78 countries with more than 460,000 members. IFSW promotes social work as a profession through international cooperation, supports national associations, facilitates contacts between social workers globally and establishes relations with the United Nations and other international organisations. IFSW is particularly active in the areas of human rights and social work ethics.

IASSW is the association for social work educators at tertiary level worldwide. Its membership consists primarily of schools of social work of which there are over 2500 globally and individual educators which are distributed across 80 countries. IASSW supports the development of high quality social work education and training, curriculum development, exchanges of academic staff and students, and research projects. It also represents the interests of social work educators at the United Nations and works collaboratively with other international organisations and agencies in related fields to promote social justice, human rights, sustainable development and human well-being.

IASSW Mission is:

1. To develop and promote world wide excellence in social work education, research and scholarship in order to enhance human well being.

2. To create and maintain a dynamic community of social work educators and their programs.

3. To support and facilitate participation in mutual exchanges of information and expertise.

4. To represent social work education at the international level.

In fulfilling its mission, members adhere to all United Nations Declarations and Conventions on human rights and recognise that respect for the inalienable rights of the individual is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace. Additionally IASSW fosters cooperation, collegiality and interdependence among members and with others, engages in the pursuit of social justice and social development.

The AASW is the professional association for social workers in Australia. Its membership consists of approximately 6,130 members. The association seeks to promote the profession of social work and provide an organisation through which social workers can develop a professional identity. The AASW aims to establish, monitor and improve practice standards and contributes to the development of social work knowledge and research. The association also advocates on behalf of clients and actively supports social structures and policies that help to promote social justice.

The Australian Association for Social Work and Welfare Education (AASWWE) was initially formed in 1978 and reconstituted in 1989 with a broader social welfare base. Its principal aim is to enhance the quality of social work and welfare education and research in Australia. The Association, which has an executive committee comprising of social work and welfare educators, from across Australia, conducts annual conferences, produces newsletters, the journal ADVANCES and works in conjunction with various government groups to formulate principles designed to improve the structure and processes of social welfare education in the tertiary sector.