BIP 2026 Social Work Power to Change

BIP 2026 Annotation:

The “Social Work Power to Change” topic means to us the way, how the social work profession can promote social change in society. The term "social change" refers to changes in the structure and functioning of society over time. It is a broad concept that can include changes in: values ​​and norms, institutions (e.g. family, education, religion, law), social relationships and roles, people's behavior and lifestyle, the distribution of power, wealth, and opportunity in society.

This year BIP topic thus tries to uncover various/diversed forms of influence of social work profession on society. Are social workers only to be “implementers” of social law? Or is it possible to have influence on society in more direct ways?

Those general questions refer to the broad concept of so called “Policy Advocacy”. The term Policy Advocacy refers to a targeted activity aimed at influencing the creation, change or implementation of public policies, laws, regulations or government decisions. It also try to prevent from the adoption of undesirable legislation. Generally represent the voice of people or groups who do not have direct access to decision-making processes.