2020
Web of the Street
The International Digital Forum of Social Street Workers
Nearly 800 people from 53 countries participated in the International Digital Forum of Street Social Workers to share their experiences and exchange their practices in these troubled times.
The main observation is sadly familiar: we are not all equal in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has highlighted the issues involved in poverty, exclusion and discrimination. Increased repression and above all stigmatisation of street communities have been observed everywhere.
Young people aged 18-25 are particularly vulnerable during this crisis. There are numerous testimonies bearing this out. The lack of opportunities for young people worldwide is at best demoralising and at worst deadly. Mental health, an omnipresent topic at the international forum, is a concern and a big focus of attention for the community of street social workers.
However, against the backdrop of this dismal situation, it is worth highlighting a few positive repercussions. Solidarity between citizens, young people, the not-so-young, and adults, as well as the collaboration between the authorities and street social workers, whose key work has been recognised.
Right from the first wave several towns quickly took action to house the homeless. However, we rightly wonder about the long-term future of these initiatives. What will happen once the crisis is over? Can we hope that tackling homelessness will no longer be a forgotten issue once the crisis ends? As Edwin de Boevé, head of Dynamo International, reiterates, “tackling homelessness is all about offering long-term housing, and not an emergency bed, but instead sustainable housing and proper support.”
Discover the 4 thematic webinars on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on people in street situation
The webinars aim to highlight the findings of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and its consequences on vulnerable populations, particularly children in street situation, as well as the recommendations of the speakers.
This french webinar examines the impact and consequences of the crisis on children in street situation in five countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Tunisia, Vietnam and Belgium.
This second webinar explores all forms of violence experienced by vulnerable populations during the pandemic and how they may be affected in the future.
This third webinar, in Spanish, focuses on the consequences on the lives of the most vulnerable children and the adaptations of the social streetworker’s profession to these consequences.
This debate questions the political and media discourses that justify this precariousness as well as the legislative changes at the origin of this growing social insecurity.
The press conference
The International Digital Forum of Social Streetworkers permitted a better understanding of damages due to the pandemic on precarious people. During the press conference ending the week of debates, Edwin de Boevé, head of Dynamo International, enunciated a range of recommendations made by network members and intended for public authorities.
SPEAKERS PANEL:
- Cis Dewaele :Representative of the Flemish social streetworkers,
- Wouter Beke :Flemish Minister of Welfare, Family, Public Health and Poverty Reduction,
- Edwin de Boevé : Head of Dynamo International – International Social Streetworkers Network,
- Adian Drissia : Young girl explaining her experience during the containment,
- Philippe Toussaint : Chair of the Community Youth Care Council
The press talks about it