World Social Work Day 2081 Celebrated at St. Lawrence College

On Tuesday, Falgun 5, 2081, St. Lawrence College, in partnership with the Social Work Association Nepal (SWAN), proudly hosted World Social Work Day 2081. This event marked an important moment for social work in Nepal. The theme, "Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing," highlighted the college's leadership in social work education and its commitment to social change.

 

Organizers & Strong Leadership

The event was organized by St. Lawrence College, with support from SWAN, showing their shared commitment to excellence in social work. The Lawrence Social Work Club played a key role in bringing the event together, ensuring it reflected the values of social work.

 

The event's success was due to the hard work and leadership of Campus Chief Mr. Purushottam Maharjan, Program Coordinator Mr. Rajesh Man Shing, and Event Coordinator Mr. Subash Bohara. Their careful planning and teamwork made the event run smoothly, from managing logistics to organizing the schedule.

 

Special Guests & Key Speakers

The event was chaired by Mr. Keshav Prasad Dangal, President of St. Lawrence College, with Ms. Charimaya Tamang, President of Shakti Samuha, as the Chief Guest. Campus Chief Mr. Purushottam Maharjan welcomed everyone with a warm speech.

 

Special guests included:

Mr. Hiroshi Kawashima (President, Life Stage NPO, Japan)

Dr. Balkrishna Thapa (Founder President & Patron, Senior Citizen Chautari)

Mr. Abhiyan K.C. (Head of Department, Tribhuvan University Social Work Department)

Ms. Sukrita Rai (President, SWAN)

Mr. Sabin Lamichhane (National Engagement Specialist, FAO Nepal)

Mr. Haribhakta Maharjan (President, Manjubal Community Service Society)

Mr. Samir Joshi (Secretary, Manjubal Community Service Society)

Mr. Ravi Shrestha (Coordinator, Janamaitri Campus & Social Worker)

 

Psychology Desk – A Safe Space to Share

A Psychology Desk was set up by Aarati Pokharel Ma’am and student Sujala Karki to provide a safe space for people to share their feelings and struggles. This was an important reminder of how mental health is a key part of social work.

 

Art & Social Impact

Students Konchok Dolma Lama (BASW 3rd year) and Reyush Bhandari (CSIT 3rd semester) gifted beautiful hand-painted artworks to the college and guests. Their art beautifully connected the role of creativity with social change.

 

Panel Discussion – Youth’s Role in Social Work

One of the highlights was the panel discussion on "Youth Engagement in Social Work: Fostering Responsibility Across Generations."

Speakers:

Ms. Sukrita Rai (SWAN President) shared her thoughts on how youth can play an important role in social work.

Dr. Balkrishna Thapa talked about the importance of intergenerational solidarity for social wellbeing.

The discussion was moderated by Ms. Sabina Gautam, a third-year BSW student.

Opportunities for Social Work Students

Mr. Hiroshi Kawashima announced that five BSW graduates from St. Lawrence College would get work opportunities in Japan through a partnership with Life Stage NPO.

Mr. Sabin Lamichhane (FAO Nepal) encouraged students to explore careers in social work and highlighted the importance of youth involvement in social transformation.

 

Cultural Performances

Students performed songs, dances, and dramas, sharing social messages and creating a lively atmosphere.

 

Closing Ceremony – A Milestone for Social Work in Nepal

At the closing ceremony, President Mr. Keshav Prasad Dangal and Campus Chief Mr. Purushottam Maharjan honored the guests with appreciation tokens. Mr. Dangal emphasized that St. Lawrence College is setting the standard for social work education in Nepal.

 

Thanks to the leadership of Rajesh Man Shing, Subash Bohara, and support from St. Lawrence College and SWAN, World Social Work Day 2081 was not just an event, but a big step forward for social work in Nepal. The collaboration between St. Lawrence College and SWAN continues to play a crucial role in the advancement of social work education, strengthening the sector’s impact on Nepal's future. The event ended with a sense of pride and inspiration, looking forward to a future of continued growth in social work.