Kottayam: Ensuring the participation of professional social workers is crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said Kottayam District Collector Chetan Kumar Meena IAS.
Hon Dist Collector emphasized that professionally trained social workers, with their scientific understanding of social systems and community development, can organize and implement sustainable development initiatives more effectively. Hence, various agencies must ensure their inclusion and collaboration in such programs, he added.
He was inaugurating the public session of the 10th Kerala Social Work Students Congress, jointly organized by the Kerala Association of Professional Social Workers (KAPS), the Department of Social Work, BCM College Kottayam, and the Kerala Social Work Students Forum (KSSF).
The meeting was presided over by KSSF President Saniya Grace Jibu.
Dr. Ipe Varghese, Secretary General, India Network of Professional Social Workers’ Associations, delivered the welcome address.
Dr. Cherian P. Kurien, President, KAPSW, delivered the keynote message.
Principal Dr. K. V. Thomas, KAPSW Working President Dr. M. P. Antony, and Rev. Fr. Philmon Kalathra, Corporate Education Secretary, Archdiocese of Kottayam, also addressed the gathering.
Prof. Xavierkutty Francis, General Secretary, KAPSW, along with Dr. Jason Philip Alappat, Sajo Joy, Dr. Elizabeth Alexander, Dr. Shally M. O., Siju Thomas, and Prasanth S. also spoke.
The program was coordinated by Dr. Lukose P. J., Aninamol Shaji, Maneesha Sundar, Mary Helen P. X., Jaisy Shanti, and Sreedevi K.
