Analysis of the Official Iranian Social Workers Website

Analysis of the Official Iranian Social Workers Website

Executive Summary

This report provides a comprehensive analytical overview of the official digital presence of social work in Iran, focusing primarily on the Official Iranian Social Workers Website (en.iraniansocialworkers.ir) and its specialized, affiliated platform, Iran’s Resilience Media (resiliencemedia.ir). The Official Iranian Social Workers Website serves as an independent and foundational hub for social work knowledge, professional development, and community building among practitioners, with deep roots in the historical establishment of social work in Iran by Sattareh Farmanfarmaian. It upholds a strong ethical framework articulated in its manifesto. Iran’s Resilience Media, founded by Dr. Javad Talschi Yekta, represents a strategic evolution, specializing in the growing field of social resilience and acting as a scientific and practical reference. Together, these platforms demonstrate a dynamic and evolving digital strategy for disseminating knowledge, fostering professional identity, and addressing contemporary social challenges in Iran, with a significant emphasis on resilience.

Introduction to the Digital Landscape of Social Work in Iran

Report Objective

This report aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the official online presence of social work in Iran. The primary focus will be on the en.iraniansocialworkers.ir website, recognized as the official portal for Iranian social workers, and its integral connection with resiliencemedia.ir, a specialized platform dedicated to resilience. This analysis will meticulously explore the content architecture, organizational structures, stated missions, and the historical context that has shaped their development. A key objective is to uncover the synergistic relationship between these two digital entities, offering precise insights into the digital strategies employed for knowledge dissemination, professional development, and community engagement within the Iranian social work sphere.

Significance of the Official Iranian Social Workers Website as a Core Hub

The en.iraniansocialworkers.ir website functions as a comprehensive, independent, and communicative hub for social work professionals and the general public, both within Iran and globally.1 Its independence from governmental and non-governmental organizations is explicitly stated to ensure its content remains focused on the real issues faced by social workers without external biases.1 The platform’s core objectives include fostering a supportive community, facilitating knowledge exchange, and globally disseminating positive advancements and practices in social services.1 The website is envisioned as a “global voice rooted in resilience and justice,” distinguished by its “innovative model of content creation and global outreach.”2 Furthermore, through its association with MadadkarNews (part of the broader Iranian Social Workers Media), the website is committed to being “the voice of the voiceless” through responsible journalism and meticulous documentation, highlighting its advocacy role.2

Overview of Iran’s Resilience Media as a Specialized and Related Platform

resiliencemedia.ir is introduced as Iran’s pioneering and specialized social resilience media platform, officially launched in the summer of 1402 (corresponding to 2023 CE).3 This designation immediately signals its unique focus and trailblazing role within Iran’s digital landscape. The website’s establishment by Dr. Javad Talschi Yekta signifies a strategic and dedicated focus on resilience as a critical and evolving component of social welfare. This platform builds upon prior initiatives within the broader Iranian social work digital ecosystem, evolving into a distinct entity for delivering concentrated expertise.3

A comprehensive review of the available information indicates that the digital presence of social work in Iran is not a monolithic entity but rather a dynamic and networked ecosystem. The strategic emergence of resiliencemedia.ir signifies a calculated move towards deep specialization within the field of resilience. This specialized platform allows for a more profound and focused engagement with a highly relevant and in-demand area, enabling the cultivation of niche knowledge and resources, while simultaneously maintaining a symbiotic relationship and historical ties with the foundational social work profession. The mention of “economic crises” 3 as a context for social resilience underscores the contemporary relevance and demand for such specialization. This approach demonstrates a mature digital strategy that adapts to evolving societal needs and academic trends.

The Official Iranian Social Workers Website: A Comprehensive Hub

Mission, Vision, and Core Objectives

The Official Iranian Social Workers Website (en.iraniansocialworkers.ir) is designed to serve as a “comprehensive hub for social work and resilience.”1 Its core mission involves fostering a supportive community among social work professionals, facilitating extensive knowledge exchange, and actively disseminating positive advancements and practices in global social services.1 The platform articulates its vision as a “global voice rooted in resilience and justice,” emphasizing its commitment to utilizing an “innovative model of content creation and global outreach” to achieve its objectives.2 A crucial aspect of its mission, conveyed through the official statement by MadadkarNews (part of the broader Iranian Social Workers Media), is its unwavering commitment to being “the voice of the voiceless.” This is pursued through responsible journalism and meticulous documentation, highlighting its strong advocacy role in addressing social inequalities and challenges.2

Detailed Analysis of Main Content Sections and Categories

The website is structured around several main navigation sections, including “Iranian Social Workers” (serving as the main portal), “Exclusive Notes” (featuring articles and commentaries by Iranian social workers), “Resilience Club” (dedicated to promoting social resilience), “Coaching Club” (exploring various aspects of coaching and its intersection with social work), “Resilience Media” (acting as an intellectual and scientific hub for institutionalizing resilience), and a “Contact Us” section.1

The “Resilience Media” section within the Iranian Social Workers (ISW) website is particularly noteworthy. It is described as an “intellectual and scientific hub dedicated to institutionalizing resilience” and includes subsets such as ISW announcements, ISW Virtual Magazine, and the ISW English website.1 This underscores the initial and integrated inclusion of resilience-related content and initiatives within the broader social work framework, even prior to the establishment of the dedicated resiliencemedia.ir platform.

A significant component of the website is the “Social Work Fields” section, which comprehensively covers a wide array of specialized areas of social work practice. These fields include industrial social work, child labor reduction, clinical social work with homeless people, gerontological social work, psychiatric social work, pediatric social work, medical social work, hospice & palliative care social work, military social work, and forensic social work.1 This extensive list emphasizes the breadth and depth of social work practice recognized, supported, and promoted by the platform.

Beyond the main sections, the website incorporates dynamic elements such as “Latest News” for recent updates and articles, and “Special Pages.” These special pages provide foundational information, including a “Brief history of social working in Iran,” the “Iranian Social Workers’ Manifesto (oath),” and content on “Social Resilience in Iran: Pioneering the Iran Resilience Media.”1

Table 1: Main Content Sections and Thematic Focus of the Official Iranian Social Workers Website

Historical Foundations: Sattareh Farmanfarmaian’s Pioneering Role in Iranian Social Work

The history of social work in Iran is inextricably linked with Sattareh Farmanfarmaian (1921–2012), who is globally recognized as the “founder of social work as a profession in Iran.”4 Her journey began with obtaining a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Southern California, after which she returned to Iran with a clear mission to establish social work as a recognized profession in the country.4

A major achievement was the establishment of the “Tehran School of Social Work” in 1958. This institution initially offered a two-year training course that combined theoretical knowledge with practical fieldwork. Over time, the curriculum expanded, evolving into a four-year BA degree and then, by 1970, a two-year MA degree program.6 The school also gained international recognition by joining the International Organization of Social Work Schools in 1960.6

Farmanfarmaian’s contributions extended to the profession’s lexicon; she is credited with coining the Farsi term for social worker, “madadacar,” meaning “one who helps.”4 Her influence transcended academic and professional training, significantly impacting public policy. She founded and served as executive director of the “Family Planning Association of Iran,” initiatives that demonstrably improved maternal and child health, influenced the national birth rate, and led to the establishment of a legal minimum age for marriage in Iran.4 She also directed the “Community Welfare Centers of Iran” and was an influential contributor to the Faculty of Social Sciences and Research at Tehran University.4 Unfortunately, her pioneering work was halted in 1979 amidst the Iranian Revolution, forcing her to leave the country.4

The “Brief history of social working in Iran” page, prominently featured on the Iranian Social Workers (ISW) website, meticulously details this foundational history, thereby connecting the contemporary digital presence of Iranian social work to its deep historical roots and the enduring legacy of its founder.6

Table 2: Evolution of Social Work Education in Iran (Timeline)

Ethical Framework: A Deep Dive into the Iranian Social Workers’ Manifesto (Oath)

The “Iranian Social Workers’ Manifesto (oath)” stands as a foundational ethical document for the profession in Iran, explicitly sealed by the Iran Association of Social Workers, signifying its official adoption and importance.7

Key principles articulated in the manifesto include 7:

• Service and Societal Betterment: A primary commitment to honestly serving individuals, communities, and society, with the overarching goal of social conditions betterment and improvement.
• Professional Priority: A pledge to prioritize professional responsibilities over personal interests, demonstrating dedication to the public welfare.
• Confidentiality and Privacy: A strict undertaking to guard individuals’ secrets and adhere to privacy policy as a fundamental principle in social work.
• Respect for Knowledge: An approach to scientific measures, findings, and theoretical viewpoints from a perspective of respect, ensuring their logical expression and interpretation.
• Evidence-Based Practice: A firm belief in basing professional conduct on scientific knowledge, practical experience, and established social working skills.
• Knowledge Contribution: Acceptance of professional responsibility to offer humanity scientific and professional beliefs and findings for the improvement of human welfare programs and social services development.
• Societal Protection: A commitment to exert utmost effort in guarding and saving society and preventing immoral behavior by individuals or organizations unduly participating in social welfare activities.
• Crisis Responsiveness: Declared readiness to offer required professional service during times of force majeure and unforeseen disasters.
• Professional Discrimination: Clear distinction and honest recognition between personal conduct and speech as a member of society, and professional conduct and speech as a representative of an institute.
• Support for Professional Education: Support for the principle that the profession requires formal professional education and training.
• Upholding Ethical Conduct: A promise to help develop and maintain conditions that enable social workers in various centers to strictly adhere to this manifesto.
• Impartiality: A commitment not to base professional judgment on personal demands or emotions, striving for impartiality.
• Empathy and Fact Discovery: A pledge to understand human feelings and avoid personal prejudice to contribute to the discovery and flourishing of facts.
• Prioritized Fulfillment of Commitments: A determination to accomplish undertakings and promises with respect to the priority of issues, as deemed proper in any specific situation, for the fulfillment of the Manifesto’s aims.
• Principle-Based Service: A commitment to always consider the core principles of social work and select a method that fully aligns with the provisions of this Manifesto in service delivery.

Organizational Structure, Independence, and International Affiliations

A defining characteristic of the Official Iranian Social Workers Website and its associated media is its explicit declaration of “unwavering independence from both governmental and non-governmental organizations.”1 This autonomy is crucial, as it ensures that the content published remains focused on the real issues faced by social workers, free from external biases or undue influence.

The website is formally affiliated with the “Iran Association of Social Workers (IASW).”8 This professional association was established in 1961 and achieved international recognition in 2012 by joining the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW).8 Dr. Hassan Mousavi Chelak is identified as the current President of the Iran Association of Social Workers, indicating formal leadership within the organization.8 The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) has publicly expressed its solidarity with the Iranian Association of Social Workers , further validating and reinforcing this important international affiliation.

Key Publications and Contributions

The Iranian Social Workers Media has a notable publication record, including six books titled “The Book of the Year.” The content of these books is uniquely rooted in real-world media campaigns, demonstrating a commitment to translating digital discourse into tangible, published resources.1 A particularly distinctive and globally unique contribution is the practice of annually publishing the content of the Iranian Social Workers English website in book format.1 This initiative not only preserves digital content in a more permanent medium but also facilitates wider dissemination and accessibility, particularly for an international audience.

Diverse Fields of Social Work Employment in Iran

The official website provides a comprehensive overview of the wide array of employment sectors available for social workers in Iran, emphasizing the multifaceted and integrated nature of the profession within Iranian society.6

These diverse fields of employment include:

• Health and Medical: Providing social services and financial aid to patients in need, and welfare services to individuals suffering from mental illness or affected by HIV/AIDS, often within hospitals and treatment centers.
• Industry: Offering social and welfare services to staff, and acting as mediators or facilitators between employers and employees in factories and various organizations within this sector.
• Justice System: Providing counseling services, preparing court reports (especially for domestic conflict and divorce cases), and implementing empowerment programs for juvenile delinquency and incarcerated individuals/their families, within ministries, courts, and correctional centers.
• Social Problems: Engaging in research, crisis intervention (for issues like domestic violence, addiction, suicide), and managing social emergency helplines, collaborating with welfare organizations, municipalities, and the police.
• Children Services: Providing interventional and empowerment services related to child abuse, foster care, day care, working street children, child labor, and runaway girls, in nurseries and relevant ministries.
• Aging and Disabilities: Offering rehabilitation and residential services with a focus on both disability welfare and empowerment for the elderly and disabled, employed in senior centers, nursing homes, and various welfare foundations.
• Women and Family Services: These services are provided by social workers and other professionals through teamwork in family courts, family counseling clinics, social work clinics, and women’s financial aid programs.
• Natural Disasters and Crisis Interventions: Social workers in this field are employed by the Red Crescent and the National Disaster Management Organization.
• Revolutionary Organizations: Social workers offer psycho-social and financial services to veterans and the families of martyrs, working in specific foundations.
• Informal Settlements: Social workers are employed by the Welfare Organization to conduct social community work and community development in marginalized areas and informal settlements.
• Education and Training: Social workers in this field work in the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, schools, special education schools, university consulting centers, and professional education and training centers.

It is also explicitly noted that, according to Iranian law, social workers are also employed in private organizations in most of the fields mentioned above, indicating a mixed public and private employment landscape.6

Table 3: Fields of Social Work Employment in Iran

The prominent display and meticulous narration of Sattareh Farmanfarmaian’s pioneering work 4 and the comprehensive articulation of the Iranian Social Workers’ Manifesto 7 on the official website are not merely inclusions of historical information. These are deliberate and strategic acts of situating contemporary social work practice and its digital presence within a robust historical and ethical framework. The explicit emphasis on the website’s independence from governmental and non-governmental organizations 1 further reinforces the notion of a self-regulating and principled profession. This deep rootedness in the profession’s origins and values provides a powerful narrative of continuity and professional integrity, which is particularly vital for a profession that frequently navigates complex and sensitive social issues. The detailed manifesto, serving as a comprehensive guiding document, ensures that professional conduct consistently aligns with established values, especially in a context where autonomy from external biases is championed as a core tenet.

The content analysis reveals a notable dual focus within the Iranian social work profession. On one hand, the website meticulously details a wide array of social work fields that are highly relevant to Iran’s specific socio-cultural and political context (e.g., “Revolutionary Organizations” and “Informal Settlements” as distinct employment areas 6). This demonstrates a deep understanding and responsiveness to unique national challenges. On the other hand, the Iran Association of Social Workers is a recognized member of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) 8, and historical figures like Farmanfarmaian actively participated in international social work movements.4 The existence of an English version of the website and its globally unique practice of annually publishing its English content in book format 1 underscore this commitment to international engagement and knowledge exchange. This suggests a mature professional body that is not only capable of localizing global best practices to fit its specific context but also actively contributes to the global discourse on social work.

Iran’s Resilience Media: A Specialized Portal

Objectives, Nature, and Specialization in Social Resilience

Launched in the summer of 1402 (2023), resiliencemedia.ir proudly identifies itself as “Iran’s first specialized social resilience media platform.”3 This designation immediately signals its unique focus and pioneering role within Iran’s digital landscape. Its primary objective is to serve as a comprehensive and authoritative resource, providing “the latest articles and research in various fields of resilience.” The website aims to be a “key reference for education, research, publishing books, articles, notes, and the latest updates on resilience.”3

A significant goal articulated for this platform is to integrate and unite graduates of psychological and sociological sciences across Iran, with the ultimate aim of establishing a comprehensive community-based resilience portal.3 This highlights an interdisciplinary approach to fostering resilience. The platform explicitly asserts its position as “the only correct address for Iran’s Resilience Media,” emphasizing that it “has no other branches.”3 This strong emphasis indicates a strategic intent to establish a single, authoritative, and trustworthy source of information, likely to combat misinformation or fragmentation in the field.

Detailed Analysis of Main Content Sections and Content Types

Main Navigation: The website’s main navigation menu includes key sections such as “Resilience” for general topics, “Resilience Media” focusing on the platform itself, “Social Resilience” for specialized content, “Education/Training,” “Founder,” and a “Light Version” for simpler access.3

Dynamic Content Sections: Prominent sections like “Editor’s Pick,” “Latest Content,” and “Most Visited” dynamically highlight current and popular articles. These articles cover a diverse range of resilience-related topics, from family and child resilience to the principles governing media activities.3

Specialized Encyclopedias: The platform features dedicated knowledge bases: “Resilience Encyclopedia” for general resilience concepts (e.g., business resilience, neighborhood-based resilience) and “Social Resilience Encyclopedia,” which specifically addresses social resilience, including its definition, importance, and distinction from other forms of resilience.3

Educational Content: The “Resilience Education” section is a critical component, offering practical and science-based solutions for teaching resilience. This includes content tailored to various contexts such as families in divorce situations, educational approaches in East Asian countries, and resilience training for specific professions like journalists.3

Self-Referential Content: The “Special for Resilience Media” section is unique, featuring articles specifically about the platform’s operational principles, its vision, and its role in fostering organizational resilience culture.3 This demonstrates a degree of self-awareness and a commitment to transparency regarding the platform’s own operations and impact.

Interdisciplinary Focus: Importantly, the website includes a “Social Work Articles” section, which often explores topics at the intersection of social work and resilience. Examples include the importance of social media for social workers, understanding grief and loss in social work, and organizational resilience in non-governmental social work centers.3 This explicitly reinforces the ongoing thematic and professional link between resilience studies and the core social work profession.

Table 4: Main Content Sections and Thematic Focus of Iran’s Resilience Media

Dr. Javad Talschi Yekta’s Visionary Leadership and Contributions to Resilience Media

Dr. Javad Talschi Yekta is unequivocally identified as the founder of Iran’s Resilience Media.3 His leadership is central to the platform’s identity and mission. He is described with significant accolades, being referred to as a “well-known and prominent figure in the field of resilience and social work in Iran” and notably, the “media father of resilience and social work in Iran.”3 These titles underscore his profound influence and pioneering spirit in both domains.

His pioneering journey in digital resilience media is well-documented: it began in 2013 with the establishment of the first specialized resilience content on iraniansocialworkers.ir. This was followed by the launch of the first resilience club in the country on madadkarnews.ir in 2015. These foundational efforts culminated in the establishment of resiliencemedia.ir in 2023.3 This trajectory clearly demonstrates his sustained and evolving commitment to developing digital platforms for resilience knowledge.

Beyond his media endeavors, Dr. Talschi Yekta is also an active lecturer, conducting specialized resilience workshops at several prestigious Iranian universities, including the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and Khwarizmi University.3 The “Founder’s Notes and News Interviews” section on

resiliencemedia.ir regularly publishes his insights, including his significant observation that “resilience education in Iran needs fundamental transformation.”3 This indicates his ongoing intellectual leadership and critical engagement with the field.

Dr. Javad Talschi Yekta’s career trajectory, as detailed in the available information 3, presents a compelling narrative of strategic evolution. His initial foray into resilience content on a general social work platform (iraniansocialworkers.ir in 2013) was followed by the establishment of a dedicated resilience club (madadkarnews.ir in 2015), ultimately leading to the launch of the “first specialized social resilience media” (resiliencemedia.ir in 2023). This progression is not merely an expansion but a clear strategic move towards specialization. It suggests that the concept of resilience, initially integrated within broader social work, gained sufficient complexity, academic depth, and practical relevance within the Iranian social sciences landscape to warrant its own dedicated and authoritative platform. The explicit goal to “integrate and unite graduates of psychological and sociological sciences” 3 further emphasizes the recognition of resilience as a truly interdisciplinary field requiring focused attention and a centralized knowledge hub to foster collaboration and advanced understanding.

The explicit declaration by resiliencemedia.ir that it is “the only correct address for Iran’s Resilience Media” and that it “has no other branches” 3 is a strong statement of intent. This, coupled with the highly prominent role and bestowed title of “media father of resilience and social work in Iran” to its founder, Dr. Javad Talschi Yekta 3, indicates a deliberate and proactive strategy to establish a single, authoritative, and trustworthy source for resilience information in Iran. This focus is likely aimed at combating “distortion” 3 and ensuring the highest quality and integrity of information in a rapidly developing field. The strong association with a recognized academic and practitioner like Dr. Yekta lends significant credibility and authenticity to the platform.

Relationship and Synergy with the Official Iranian Social Workers Website

The historical development clearly indicates that resiliencemedia.ir emerged from earlier initiatives initially hosted on iraniansocialworkers.ir and madadkarnews.ir.3 This lineage suggests a deliberate strategic differentiation or specialization process, rather than the creation of a completely separate and unrelated entity.

The en.iraniansocialworkers.ir website continues to explicitly feature “Resilience Media” as one of its main content sections.1 This section is described as “an intellectual and scientific hub dedicated to institutionalizing resilience,” indicating a sustained, albeit perhaps more foundational, role for resilience content within the broader social work portal. The inclusion of “Social Work Articles” on

resiliencemedia.ir 3 further reinforces the ongoing thematic and professional link between the two platforms. This cross-pollination of content ensures that the specialized resilience platform remains relevant and accessible to the broader social work community, while the general social work platform benefits from specialized resilience expertise.

Synergies, Impact, and Future Trajectories

How the Two Platforms Complement Each Other in Promoting Social Work and Resilience

The Official Iranian Social Workers Website (en.iraniansocialworkers.ir) serves as the foundational and comprehensive platform, providing the broad professional context, the historical development of social work, ethical guidelines through its manifesto, and the diverse fields of social work practice in Iran.1 This website acts as the primary digital home and overarching umbrella for the entire social work profession in the country.

In contrast, Iran’s Resilience Media (resiliencemedia.ir) functions as a specialized, in-depth content hub specifically dedicated to resilience. This is a critical and evolving area within the broader social work and social sciences landscape. It serves as the go-to resource for detailed, cutting-edge information and research within this specific domain.3

The historical links between the two, particularly Dr. Javad Talschi Yekta’s early initiatives on iraniansocialworkers.ir and madadkarnews.ir that eventually led to the establishment of resiliencemedia.ir 3, indicate a deliberate and organic evolution. Furthermore, the continued presence of a “Resilience Media” section on the main Iranian Social Workers (ISW) website 1 suggests an ongoing and intentional complementary relationship rather than a competitive one. This dual-platform approach allows for comprehensive coverage of the multifaceted social work profession and a highly focused, specialized engagement with a key contemporary topic like resilience. This ensures that both general professional needs and specialized academic/practical interests are adequately addressed.

Their Collective Contribution to Knowledge Dissemination, Education, and Professional Development in Iran

Both digital platforms are highly active in disseminating a wide array of articles, research papers, and educational materials, thereby making significant contributions to the body of knowledge in social work and resilience studies in Iran.3

A unique and impactful initiative by the Iranian Social Workers Media is its practice of annually publishing the content of its English website in book format.1 This innovative approach significantly enhances knowledge dissemination, extending the reach of their digital content into a more traditional and enduring medium, making it accessible to a broader global audience.

The provision of dedicated educational content across both websites – for instance, the “Resilience Education” section on resiliencemedia.ir 3 and the detailed historical account of social work education on

en.iraniansocialworkers.ir 6 – underscores their commitment to fostering continuous professional development for social workers, psychologists, and other related professionals. The explicit goal of

resiliencemedia.ir to “integrate and unite graduates of psychological and sociological sciences” 3 further highlights the collective role of these platforms in nurturing a cohesive and interdisciplinary professional community and promoting collaborative learning.

The combined operation of a broad professional hub (the Official Iranian Social Workers Website) and a specialized knowledge portal (Iran’s Resilience Media), both with significant emphasis on education, research, and publications, demonstrates a highly sophisticated and comprehensive digital strategy. This approach goes beyond mere information dissemination; it is designed to cultivate an informed, ethical, and adaptable social work workforce capable of addressing complex societal issues. Simultaneously, by making content accessible and engaging, it aims to educate and empower the general public on critical social issues like resilience. The unique initiative of annually publishing the English website’s content in book format 1 further exemplifies this commitment to multifaceted knowledge transfer, ensuring wider accessibility and more permanent recording of their contributions.

Preliminary Insights into Their Role in Addressing Social Challenges

The content presented across both websites directly addresses numerous pressing social issues within Iran. These include family challenges such as divorce, comprehensive child and adolescent welfare, the impact of economic crises, coping with grief and loss, fostering organizational resilience, and addressing specific challenges within various social work fields like child labor, homelessness, and natural disasters.3

The clear focus on “social resilience” across both platforms 3 indicates a proactive and forward-thinking approach to building community strength, enhancing adaptive capacity, and fostering collective well-being in the face of diverse and often complex social challenges. The declared independence of the Iranian Social Workers Media 1 is a critical factor, as it allows the platforms to focus on “the real issues faced by social workers without external biases.” This autonomy suggests a deep commitment to genuinely addressing social challenges and advocating for effective solutions. The Iranian Social Workers’ Manifesto (oath) further reinforces this commitment, with its core principle of “honestly serving the people, communities and society” and its pledge to guard against “immoral behavior.”7 This ethical foundation underscores their dedication to societal betterment and their role as an ethical compass within the professional landscape.

The explicit statement of independence by the Iranian Social Workers Media 1, the meticulous historical narrative of social work’s establishment by Sattareh Farmanfarmaian 6, and the comprehensive ethical manifesto 7 prominently displayed on the Iranian Social Workers (ISW) website are not merely factual disclosures. They are powerful acts of professional advocacy and self-definition. By clearly articulating its history, ethical foundation, and organizational autonomy, the website actively shapes and affirms the professional identity of social work in Iran, emphasizing its self-governance and unwavering commitment to social welfare. The commitment to being “the voice of the voiceless” 2 positions the platform as a proactive champion for vulnerable populations, potentially offering a counter-narrative or alternative perspective to official or mainstream discourses. This self-presentation is crucial for building public trust, attracting new professionals, and influencing policy.

Conclusion

Summary of Key Findings

The digital landscape of social work in Iran is characterized by a robust and independent official website (en.iraniansocialworkers.ir) that serves as a comprehensive hub for the profession. This platform is deeply rooted in the pioneering history of social work in Iran, notably established by Sattareh Farmanfarmaian, and is guided by a strong and detailed ethical manifesto.

Complementing this foundational hub is Iran’s Resilience Media (resiliencemedia.ir), a specialized platform that represents a strategic evolution within the digital ecosystem. This platform provides authoritative and in-depth content specifically on social resilience, a critical and rapidly evolving field.

Both platforms are driven by visionary leadership – historically by Sattareh Farmanfarmaian and currently by Dr. Javad Talschi Yekta for Resilience Media. Their collective efforts demonstrate a profound commitment to knowledge dissemination, continuous education, and professional development for social workers and related professionals in Iran.

Overall Significance of Both Digital Platforms

Collectively, the Official Iranian Social Workers Website and Iran’s Resilience Media constitute a dynamic, mature, and strategically aligned digital ecosystem for social work in Iran.

They effectively bridge the profession’s rich historical roots with contemporary social challenges, providing an extensive and invaluable resource for social work professionals, academics, policymakers, and the general public. Their declared independence, unwavering commitment to ethical practice, and focused engagement with highly relevant social issues – particularly the burgeoning field of resilience – position them as vital contributors to social welfare, professional integrity, and societal development in Iran. Unique global initiatives, such as the annual publication of the English website’s content in book format, further underscore their growing ambition and impact beyond national borders, establishing them as important voices in the international social work community.

Resilience Media Websaite