Bridging Borders: Israeli social workers engage in unprecedented dialogue with Ugandan counterparts

After a 10-day visit to Uganda, a delegation of 25 Israeli social workers from the Union of Social Workers is heading back home, bringing with them insights and experiences from their meetings, tours, and exposure to the country’s social services sector.

The delegation’s trip was highlighted by their participation in a special ceremony held every Thursday in the Ugandan Parliament. This gathering includes a prayer for the peace of the State of Israel and the city of Jerusalem, which the Israeli delegation was honoured to be a part of.

Following the parliamentary event, the delegates engaged in an enriching dialogue with the National Association of Social Workers in Uganda (NASWU) and members of the Ugandan Parliament. The conversation, which included Tamar, a delegate from the 10 project, focused on the necessity of strengthening collaborative efforts between social workers across borders.

Inbal Hermoni, the chairwoman of the Israeli Social Workers Union, spoke passionately about the shared values that bind social workers globally. “It is our job to take care of the population that needs us due to the reality of their lives or crises they have fallen into,” Hermoni said. “We share the same values – social workers in Israel, Uganda, and probably all over the world. Our job is to add justice to the world.”

The meeting underscored the universal challenges faced by social workers, regardless of their geographical location, and the potential for shared learning and mutual support. The delegates returned to Israel inspired and hopeful for increased collaboration and mutual understanding in the future, not only with Uganda but with social workers around the globe.

The visit has not only bridged the gap between Israeli and Ugandan social workers but has also set the stage for continued dialogue and cooperation in providing social services, emphasizing the shared human values at the core of their profession.