ABSW and CASW Launch Reparations Report

Ottawa - November 30, 2022 - The Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW) and the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) are celebrating the renewal of their historic 2020 Memorandum of Understanding by launching - Reparations for Social Workers of African Descent – a joint project focusing on the profession of social work and its relationship with the African Canadian community.

“It has been two years since ABSW and CASW first signed an agreement that set a path for mutual understanding and cooperation,” stated ABSW President, Rachelle Sweeting. “The agreement has led to a precedent setting project and report that documents the existence of systemic racism and specifically Anti-Black racism in Canada.”

The primary objective of the joint reparations project was to examine the relationship between the profession of social work and its relationship with African Canadian individuals and communities. “Although the profession of social work in English Canada has historically ignored the contributions of African Canadian social workers and their communities, hopefully the report's reparations will usher in a new era for the profession” noted project lead, Dr. David Este. CASW and ABSW have committed to implement the project's reparations (recommendations).

“Recognizing our responsibility to speak out against injustice, CASW is committed to implementing the recommendations of the report,” states CASW President Joan Davis-Whelan. “We look forward to our continued collaboration with ABSW to address social injustice and specifically to work towards projects and policies that will enhance the lives of people of African descent.”

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Background

ABSW is a volunteer charitable organization consisting of Black Social Workers and Human Service Workers throughout the Province. ABSW was originally formed in Montreal, Canada in 1977. A group started in Nova Scotia in 1979, with a membership of 4. ABSW was reactivated in 1987, and now has a growing membership.

CASW was founded in 1926, CASW is the national professional association. CASW promotes and strengthens the profession, supports its members, and advances issues of social justice.

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