After a months-long application and interview process, the North American region of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) settled on a Case Western Reserve University alumna as one of four North American social workers to become a representative on commission to the United Nations (UN).
Patricia Saleeby, PhD (SAS ’96), professor and program director of social work at Bradley University, was appointed to the IFSW UN Commission, which aims to bring a social work perspective to the UN by promoting solutions grounded in social work principles to advance justice, equality and sustainable, inclusive societies.
Saleeby is known internationally for promoting the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health—used by the World Health Organization to measure health and disability for individuals and populations—and the Capability Approach, which aims to improve people’s access to the tools they need to live fulfilling lives.
The IFSW made their announcement in August.
“I am indeed honored to be representing the interests of the social work profession globally,” said Saleeby, who looks forward to her four-year term. “Together the IFSW team works to ensure that the perspective of social work is included in the development of international policies related to key social issues.”
