Celebrating 28 years of Social Work exchanges between the cities of Chicago, Hamburg, and Birmingham!
PAST DELEGATION OPPORTUNITIES
Tri-City Partnership since 1996
Birmingham, England, UK
Hamburg, Germany
Chicago, IL, USA
Partnership since 2015
About Us
In 1996, a small group of committed social workers began the International Activities Network of international exchanges. Since that time, The group has evolved in many ways including a change in title to the International Social Worker Exchange Partnership (ISWEP). ISWEP has hosted and/or participated in 24 international Exchanges. The Exchanges involved 7 of Chicago’s Sister cities including Hamburg, Germany; Birmingham, England; Durban, SA; Prague, Czech Republic; Casablanca, Morocco; and Mexico City, Mexico. Over the last 23 years, local universities have played an important role in supporting the Professional Exchanges by providing room and breakfast for ISWEP guests. Since 2008, Dominican University School of Social Work has been an active supporter in not only providing room and board but also in hosting the International Conference which concludes each Exchange. Chicago Sister Cities International Program has been a partner with ISWEP since 1996.
Over the years, the ISWEP Exchange model has evolved and adjusted while maintaining the basic principal of professional dialogue and cultural immersion. The International Social Work Exchange Partnership estimates that over 200 US social workers have utilized their Exchanges since 1996 as part of their professional development. In addition, some 300 foreign social workers have participated in the Exchanges including elected officials.
In 2017, the international social work exchange partnership obtained 501 (c)(3) status.
Partners since 1996
Partners since 2008