CSWE Statement Denouncing Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Published on : March 3, 2022

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), speaking as a collective of educators and social workers, vehemently condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

As stated in our Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, the purpose of the social work profession is to “promote human and community well-being,” and that we achieve this through the “quest for social and economic justice, the prevention of conditions that limit human rights, the elimination of poverty, and the enhancement of the quality of life for all persons, locally and globally.” 

As educators at accredited social work programs, we equip our students to recognize the “global interconnections of oppression and human rights violations” and therefore feel compelled to publicly denounce this overt act of aggression, the like of which European nations have not seen since World War II.

As social workers, some of whom share connections with Ukrainians, who adhere to a core value of promoting social justice, it is incumbent on us to act. We want to also model our advocacy values and ask our lawmakers to put aside political rhetoric, work together to oppose Russia’s invasion, and support the people of Ukraine. 

Several international organizations are working to bring relief and aid that can help to make a difference to Ukrainians, and we list some of those organizations below. This is by no means an exhaustive list; please share with CSWE Spark any organizations that are working to support the Ukrainian people with educators and social workers.

Emergency response to conflict in eastern Ukraine | UNICEF
Ukraine | How to Help & FAQs | Doctors Without Borders
Donate to Help Children in Ukraine | Save the Children
The International Committee of the Red Cross | Read about the ICRC's actions in the country