International Social Service Australia provides social work, legal advice, and mediation services focused on international parental child abduction and child welfare.

International Social Service Australia

International Social Service (ISS) | 6,924 followers on LinkedIn. General Secretariat -  Geneva

 | The International Social Service was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, almost 100 years ago in 1924 by a group of people wanting to find durable solutions for individuals and families migrating to the Americas after World War 1. We are now a network of ISS members present in more than 120 countries with a General Secretariat in Geneva providing coordination, training and capacity building. For the last 97 years, ISS has carried out cross border social casework protecting families and children separated by borders.

CEO INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SERVICE NETWORK

Jean Ayoub

Driving Growth via Partnerships | EdTech, Sports & Cultures | AI & Generative AI Educator

Sam Chiu

COO & Director Communications and Talent International Social Service Network. Certified Career and Life Coach.

Fanny Baert

NED (various) and CEO of Children and Families Across Borders

Carolyn Housman

International Social Service (ISS)

The ISS Centennial Week 7-10th of October 2024 has inspired and motivated ISS social workers from all over the world to continue supporting #children and #families separated across borders through individualised #crossborder social casework taking into account their #origins , their cultural #identity , their wider #family context and best interest always guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other standards and principles such as the Equity in Permanency principles adopted by the ISS International Council as a strategic priority. https://lnkd.in/gRZnUUbi . #childrensrights #families #crossborder #childprotection #familiesNOTorphanages #equityinpermanency #socialworkers

We were honored to welcome The Honourable Senator Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard to our gathering last week. A social worker, educator, and community activist, Dr. Thomas Bernard has spent her career breaking barriers and championing marginalized communities. From her trailblazing work as the first African Nova Scotian tenured professor at Dalhousie University to her role in founding the Association of Black Social Workers, her legacy is one of profound impact and dedication to social justice. While Mr. Jean Ayoub , International Social Service (ISS) , couldn’t join us in person, he was with us live from Geneva. With over 16 years at ISS and a history of leadership with the International Red Cross, Mr. Ayoub’s expertise in global humanitarian efforts continues to inspire. His Canadian connection, particularly with Montreal, made his presence extra meaningful to us. Thank you to both of them for joining us during our special event. __ Nous avons été honorés d'accueillir l'honorable sénatrice Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard à notre rassemblement de la semaine passée. Travailleuse sociale, éducatrice et militante communautaire, Dr. Thomas Bernard a consacré sa carrière à briser les barrières et à défendre les communautés marginalisées. De son travail novateur en tant que première professeure titulaire afro-néo-écossaise à l'Université Dalhousie à son rôle de fondatrice de l'Association des travailleurs sociaux noirs, son héritage est d'un impact profond et d'un engagement envers la justice social. Bien que M. Jean Ayoub, Secrétaire général de l'ISS, n'ait pas pu se joindre à nous en personne, il était avec nous en direct depuis Genève. Avec plus de 16 ans au sein du SSI et une histoire de leadership au sein de la Croix-Rouge Internationale, l’expertise de M. Ayoub dans les efforts humanitaires mondiaux continue de nous inspirer. Son lien avec le Canada, en particulier avec Montréal, a rendu sa présence encore plus significative pour nous. Merci à eux deux pour leur participation lors de notre événement spécial. #ISSCanada #ISS2024 #ISS100

International Social Service Canada (SSI Canada)

Thank you to Dinesh Raj Sapkota for having come all the way from Nepal to participate in the ISS100th Anniversary meetings and celebrations in Geneva. Dinesh was glad to participate as it deepened his understanding of the complexities of #childprotection work. The dedication and commitment of the ISS members and experts particularly inspired him. The opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals from around the world was invaluable. ISS members from across the world will continue to collaborate and meet to discuss the best ways to face future complex #social challenges and to provide quality #crossborder #social support and #technical assistance. #childrensrights #childprotection #ISS100 #socialworkers #crossborder #caregivers #families

The International Day of Care and Support was established to pay attention to the work of #caregivers – paid and unpaid – being the backbone of any care and support system. For 100 years, ISS has consistently focused on ensuring that #children and #families receive the #care and #protection they need, especially in complex cross-border situations. Today, ISS is participating in global discussions bringing a well-established perspective on #carereform that centres on the best interests of #children and the importance of #familybased care. Our long-standing history of advocacy, technical support, and collaboration with governments, NGOs, and international bodies adds a valuable dimension to shaping a more human rights-based, inclusive, and sustainable global care agenda. Visit our website to learn more about our advocacy work, https://lnkd.in/gbQ3n49b . #childrensrights #childprotection #ISS100 #caregivers #socialworkers #families #familiesNOTorphanages

On October 24th, we gathered to honour the legacy of the formidable women who founded ISS 100 years ago: Ruth Larned, Mary Hurlbutt, and Suzanne Ferrière. These newly trained social workers witnessed the suffering of families separated by migration during WWI and were driven by a desire to bring about meaningful change. These pioneering women established services in seven countries to support families in need. Yet, after WWII, only three founding members remained, and the future of ISS hung in the balance. Through resilience and determination, they rebuilt the network, which has now grown to include over 120 partners worldwide, all committed to the ISS methodology. As we reflect on our history, it's important to remember that the values set forth in 1924, « acting on a non-partisan, non-sectarian, and non-political basis, beyond race, nationality, and religion »still guide us today. Though the world may have changed in countless ways, our mission remains steadfast. Sylvie Lapointe , executive director, warmly thanks everyone who joined us in this celebration of our past, present, and future. — Le 24 octobre, nous nous sommes réunis pour honorer l'héritage des femmes formidables qui ont fondé le SSI il y a 100 ans : Ruth Larned, Mary Hurlbutt et Suzanne Ferrière. Ces travailleuses sociales récemment formées ont été témoins de la souffrance des familles séparées par la migration pendant la Première Guerre mondiale et ont été animées par le désir d'apporter un changement significatif. Ces femmes pionnières ont établi des services dans sept pays pour soutenir les familles dans le besoin. Cependant, après la Seconde Guerre mondiale, seules trois membres fondatrices restaient, et l'avenir du SSI était incertain. Grâce à leur résilience et à leur détermination, elles ont reconstruit le réseau, qui compte désormais plus de 120 partenaires dans le monde entier, tous engagés à suivre la méthodologie du SSI. En réfléchissant à notre histoire, il est important de se souvenir que les valeurs établies en 1924, « agir de manière non partisane, non sectaire et non politique, au-delà de la race, de la nationalité et de la religion », nous guident toujours aujourd'hui. Bien que le monde ait changé de nombreuses manières, notre mission reste ferme. Sylvie Lapointe, directrice générale remercie chaleureusement tous ceux qui se sont joints à nous pour célébrer notre passé, notre présent et notre avenir. #ISSCanada #ISS2024 #ISS100

ISS Australia joined in the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the International Social Service (ISS) this week at Parliament House, Sydney, NSW. Guest speakers included Minister the Hon Jodie Harrison, Departmental Secretary Michael Tidball, Uncle Michael West from the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council, and Emily Hikaiti , a highly respected advocate for children and young people in the out of home care system. Many generations of ISS staff, board members and stakeholders joined us for this important celebration. 100 years of supporting children and families across borders and helping people belong and know who they are. Happy Birthday ISS! Pictured below are staff, board members and stakeholders of ISS Australia!

A few weeks ago, I had the incredible honour of attending the International Social Service (ISS) Centennial celebrations in Geneva. Representing ISS at this landmark event was truly a privilege! The ISS history exhibition "Across Time and Borders: A Century of Serving Children and Families" was remarkable. Through captivating photographs, archival documents, and personal stories, I gained valuable insights into the pioneering women social workers who founded ISS and established the practice of cross-border casework. I also deepened my understanding of ISS's significant contributions to key international conventions and our advocacy efforts over the years. Additionally, this event marked my final opportunity to chair the ISS Casework Coordinators Group at our two-day meeting, as I will be stepping down after four fulfilling years. Leading the ISS Casework Coordinators, which is vital component of the ISS network for its direct expertise in cross-border casework, has been an immense honour. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my esteemed Vice Chair, Rose Habchi Daher , for her unwavering support throughout our term. I was also privileged to moderate the panel "Families First: Contributing to Quality Alternative Care for Every Child" at the ISS International Conference "Throughout Time, Across Borders: Navigating Child Protection and Restoring Family Links." On this panel, my esteemed colleague Marie Jenny , who coordinates ISS’s "A Better Future is Possible" project, shared her work to support alternative care reform and disability-inclusive deinstitutionalisation. Having collaborated with Marie on this global initiative for the past decade has been incredibly rewarding. Another ISS issue that is particularly close to my heart is ISS’s "Equity in Permanency" principles. On the panel, Carolyn Housman shared ISS's advocacy for child protection practices to prioritise family placements, both locally and internationally, without any form of discrimination. Finally, in the words of my esteemed colleague Olivier Geissler , “The ISS Centennial event and activities do more than just celebrate our milestone —they energise the entire ISS network.”

Damon Martin

Last week, ISS, represented by Carlotta A. and Giovanna Ricciardi participated in the Interdisciplinary Conference on Surrogacy organised by Università degli Studi di Bergamo . ISS presented the 'Verona Principles for the protection of the rights of the child born through surrogacy' and current trends, highlighting the needs to have safeguards in place to protect the rights of children born through surrogacy regardless of the States’ legal position on this matter. Further steps are still needed to promote the dialogue between all the professionals directly and indirectly involved in this practice, and also to put the focus on the child, the most affected party. Many thanks to the Università degli Studi di Bergamo and especially to Maria Caterina Baruffi for the invitation. The Verona Principles are now also available in Italian. Check them out here https://lnkd.in/eUDm-ess . #childrensrights #childprotection #surrogacy

🎉 Le Service Social International c'est 100 ans de rencontres, de solidarité, d'entraide, d'innovation, d'adaptation au service des enfants et de leurs familles confrontés à des situations transfrontières juridiques et sociales complexes. Lors de périodes charnières de l’histoire, le SSI et ses professionnels ont toujours su s’adapter à l’évolution des besoins et des situations en y posant un regard humain et social. Après une semaine d'échanges fructueux et de célébrations, nous voilà prêts à relever les défis et challenges des 100 prochaines années... 💪 Quelle fierté de faire partie de ce réseau unique et de continuer le travail initié...😊 International Social Service (ISS) #issconnect2024 #internationalchildprotection #100ans

Sandrine PEPIT

An incredible week spent with ISS, ISS-USA, and other colleagues, celebrating: the audacity of a small group of pioneering women social workers who created the practice of cross border case work; the legacy of the many areas in which we have applied cross border case work through the years; and the future applications of cross border casework! Thank you to Sylvie Lapointe , Giovanna Ricciardi , Laurent Chapuis , Elaine Weisman , ROLF Widmer , Hyacinth Miller , Catherine Ceniza Choy , Susan Jacobs , Fanny Baert , Jeannette Wöllenstein-Tripathi , Jean Ayoub , Olivier Geissler , Damon Martin , Cilgia Caratsch , Rölke Ursula , Sandrine PEPIT , Carolyn Housman , and many more for your significant and outstanding contributions to this week-long celebration of the power of ISS to globally transform lives across borders. 100 YEARS!

ORG

AU:ORG:ISS

International Social Service Australia