Celebrating World Social Work Day is aimed at integrating all social networks and communities to spread the 2022 theme, ‘Co-building A New Eco-Social World: The importance of community support in dealing with social problems’.

This was said by Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre (PJSC) Medical Director Dr Meera Saheeb Kabeer in a keynote address during the virtual forum held in conjunction with World Social Work Day organised by PJSC yesterday.

The forum was held to share the importance of community support in dealing with social problems and understanding the various organisations and individuals that are intimately involved in supporting vulnerable groups in Brunei, Dr Kabeer added.

“The forum will be a platform for the initiative to engage all communities to share their views which will help to understand the root cause in Brunei, and help them to live a dignified life,” Dr Kabeer said, adding that the forum will also highlight how environmental factors could influence an individual’s development and behaviour, as well as how healthcare facilities and eco-social work should go hand in hand to achieve the goal.

Continuing the event was a discussion by panellists counsellor and motivator Haji Ali Yusri, La Vida Sdn Bhd Manager Dawn Lee, Mobile Dream Catcher Project Manager Georgiana, Adit binti Haji Abu Bakar of Rakan Harmoni, PJSC Medical Social Work Department Head Siti Fairuz binti Abdul Latiff, and Project Women Brunei Executive Director Nur Judy Abdullah, who shared their various experiences and the underlying issues leading to social problems during the
virtual forum.

PJSC Chief Religious Teacher Haji Ishkandar bin Haji Buntar moderated the forum.

The event’s main objective was to raise public awareness on social problems and their challenges as well as the impact of stigma around people with social problems, along with how the community should respond or help to better support people facing social problems.

It also aimed to help the community understand what is happening, and what support vulnerable groups need from family, friends and the community.

Source: Spotlight on community support to combat social problems | Borneo Bulletin Online