Social work stands as one of the key professional actors in achieving the sustainable development goals of contemporary societies. Sustainable development goes beyond economic growth; it requires ensuring social cohesion, equitable resource distribution, and living conditions grounded in human dignity. In this context, the discipline of social work provides a multidimensional field of practice that enhances the well-being of individuals, families, and communities while aiming to transform the social structure into a more inclusive and resilient form.
Social work approaches sustainable development not merely as an economic or environmental objective but as a socially rights-based process. The primary goal of this process is to reduce social inequalities, eradicate poverty, and strengthen social protection mechanisms. Social workers intervene both at the individual and systemic levels in areas such as poverty, employment, health, education, care, disability, ageing, and migration.
This multi-layered approach directly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) are among the key areas that converge with social work practices. In achieving these goals, social work contributes both to the empowerment of individuals at the micro level and to social policy design at the macro level.
The contribution of social work to sustainable development is not limited to service delivery; it also encompasses dimensions of research, education, and policy-making. Academic institutions play a central role in strengthening the knowledge base of this process. Social work education equips students with the ability to analyze social problems, develop system-level solutions, and implement evidence-based practices. Accordingly, social workers are trained not only as professionals who support individual well-being but also as leaders in processes of social transformation.
