The Second Annual World Social Work Day is slated for April 15, 2008.

The general theme for the World Social Work Day is "Social Work — Making a World of Difference," and it is established by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), a global body of social workers representing social work associations from 84 countries.

This annual event is held in order to put a spotlight on social work's contributions to society and to encourage ongoing dialogue with all partners on how challenges linked to social conditions can be met by communities, according to IFSW.

NASW members can download posters in English, French or Spanish.

NASW national office intern Abby Weaver, a BSW student at James Mason University in Washington, D.C., has been helping to promote the day at recent events.

In February, she distributed World Social Work Day posters and fliers explaining "ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History" at the 5th Biennial Social Work Policy and Practice Forum in Washington, D.C. The event was sponsored in part by NASW with help from the NASW Government Relations staff.

The ONE campaign promotes the Millennium Development Goals, which is also a global movement.

Hundreds of social work students attended the event to hear from members of Congress and social work leaders and to learn how to lobby their designated representatives on social work issues.

Weaver has also been highlighting World Social Work Day at schools of social work at various universities during presentations that explain the social work profession.

"The response has been great," Weaver said.

Luisa Lopez, acting directing of the Division for Practice, Human Rights and International Affairs at NASW, said the way social work is practiced and regulated varies widely around the world. She encouraged social workers to learn how their colleagues in different nations practice the profession. "It's important to see how other social workers work in other countries," she said.