Strengthening Social Work in Mozambique: Reflections from the 2nd National AASMO Conference

 

I recently had the honour of participating in the 2nd National Conference of Social Workers in Mozambique, held from July 3–4, 2025, at the Montebelo Indy Maputo Congress Hotel. The event was hosted by the Association of Social Workers in Mozambique (AASMO) with support from UNICEF and MTGAS, and brought together professionals from across the country and beyond under the theme:

“Strengthening the Profession, Building the Future: Promoting Social Work Training and Intervention.”

As President of IFSW Africa, I was privileged to speak on Social Work in Promoting Intergenerational Solidarity and Professional Strengthening. The role of IFSW in Promoting and Strengthening Social Worker Associations. I also shared opportunities available through membership and active engagement with IFSW, including:

• Advocacy and regional collaboration
• International recognition and participation
• Access to global learning and development platforms
• Inclusion in commissions and knowledge-sharing spaces

The conference provided a valuable platform for dialogue, with presentations from colleagues across Ghana, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guinea Bissau, and Portugal, offering comparative insights on national structures, legal recognition, and association development.

A pressing issue identified was the lack of a unified social work curriculum across institutions in Mozambique, contributing to professional inconsistencies. In addition, several government ministries present acknowledged the urgent need for the profession’s legal recognition and the establishment of a regulatory council.

The UNICEF representative highlighted the concerning social worker-to-population ratio of 1:75,000 which is far below the recommended benchmark and reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting workforce strengthening and investment in social services.

Some key takeaways included:

🔹 The need to deepen member engagement and representation within national associations
🔹 Expanding Lusophone participation in IFSW Africa
🔹 Building on political will especially with the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare being a practicing social worker
🔹 Sustaining partnerships with UNICEF and similar institutions for long-term growth

This conference was a critical milestone for Mozambique and a beacon of possibility for social work in Lusophone Africa. It was a space filled with shared learning, purpose, and the energy to shape a stronger future for the profession. 

I look forward to welcoming AASMO as a member of IFSW very soon, as we continue to build stronger, more connected social work systems across the continent.

I remain hopeful and committed to this journey.

Oluwatoni Adeleke

President, IFSW AfricaI