The U.S. Council on International Social Welfare hosted a steering committee meeting in honor of its lead organization, the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW), at NASW's national office in January.

The U.S. Council on International Social Welfare serves as the U.S. chapter of ICSW, a group that represents a wide range of national and international member organizations and seeks to advance social welfare, social development and social justice. ICSW works closely with its sister international organizations, the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW). Over the years, NASW members have served in key volunteer positions in each of these organizations.

Meeting chairman Maj. Ronald Foreman of the Salvation Army, who is also National Social Services secretary, opened the meeting. He was joined by Margery Carpenter, volunteer coordinator for the U.S. Council.

Denys Correll, ICSW executive director, offered attendees an update and future plans for the organization. Its basic mission is to promote forms of social and economic development to reduce poverty, hardship and vulnerability throughout the world, especially among disadvantaged people.

The U.S. Council also offered updates on its latest efforts. NASW staff provided attendees with overviews and the most recent news involving their specific departments. Presentations were made by Robert Arnold, director of the NASW Foundation, and Joyce Higashi, executive director of the NASW Metro Washington Chapter. Leticia Diaz, policy adviser for race/ethnic diversity and international affairs at NASW, spoke about recent efforts being made at IFSW.

Also speaking were Katherine Kendall of the U.S. Council Steering Committee and Julia Watkins, executive director of the Council on Social Work Education.

Correll offered details of the 2008 ICSW 33rd Global Conference on Social Welfare, taking place June 30-July 4 in Tours, France. According to ICSW, the conference will focus on three domains of social welfare: social work, social protection and social development.

Besides Carpenter, Kendall and Foreman, those who serve on the U.S. Council on International Social Welfare Steering Committee include Kenneth Carpenter, Bernice Catherine Harper, David Herrell and Mary Catherine Jennings-Holden.