20 MCQ on First International Conference on Social Work

Overview of the First International Conference on Social Work (Paris, 1928):

 

The inaugural International Conference on Social Work, a landmark event that laid the foundation for global collaboration in the field, was held in Paris, France, from July 8 to 13, 1928. This pioneering gathering brought together approximately 2,481 delegates from 42 countries, marking a significant step towards internationalizing social work theory, practice, and professional identity.

The idea for an international conference on social work emerged from the interactions of European and Japanese social workers at the U.S. National Conference of Social Work in 1919. A formal proposal was put forth by Dr. Rene Sand of Belgium in 1923. An organizing committee, comprising representatives from 17 nations across Europe, Asia, and North America, along with delegates from prominent international bodies such as the League of Nations, the International Labor Organization, and the League of Red Cross Societies, met in Paris in 1926 to plan the event. Dr. Alice Masarykova of Prague served as the President of the conference, with Dr. Rene Sand as its Secretary-General.

The conference aimed to provide a global platform for the discussion of social work issues, promote the exchange of information and experiences among professionals, and foster international cooperation in addressing social welfare concerns. It was structured around five commissions, with one key area of focus being the "Organization of social work in general." Other prominent themes that emerged from the proceedings included the importance of cross-disciplinary collaborations, respecting national identities within international activities, and the drive towards increasing professionalism in social work education, a section notably led by Alice Salomon of Germany.

One of the most enduring legacies of the 1928 Paris Conference was its role in "giving birth" to three major international social work organizations:

• The International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW)
• The International ¹ Conference on Social Welfare (ICSW), initially known as the International Conference on Social Work. 
• The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), which began as the International Permanent Secretariat of Social Workers (IPSSW).

This first conference set a precedent for future international collaborations, with subsequent conferences held in Frankfurt (1932) and London (1936) before the interruption of World War II. It is recognized as a pivotal moment in the history of social work, signifying a collective effort to build a global professional community dedicated to social justice and human well-being.

MCQ Quiz on the First International Conference on Social Work (Paris, 1928):

1. In what city and country was the first International Conference on Social Work held?

   • A) London, England
   • B) Geneva, Switzerland
   • C) Paris, France
   • D) New York, USA
   • Answer: C) Paris, France

2. During which dates did the first International Conference on Social Work take place?

   • A) June 5-10, 1927
   • B) July 8-13, 1928
   • C) August 15-20, 1929
   • D) September 1-6, 1930
   • Answer: B) July 8-13, 1928

3. Approximately how many delegates attended the first International Conference on Social Work?

   • A) About 500
   • B) About 1,200
   • C) About 2,500
   • D) Over 5,000
   • Answer: C) About 2,500 (specifically 2,481)

4. How many countries were represented at the 1928 Paris Conference?

   • A) 17
   • B) 28
   • C) 42
   • D) 55
   • Answer: C) 42

5. Who served as the Secretary-General of the first International Conference on Social Work?

   • A) Julia Lathrop
   • B) Alice Salomon
   • C) Dr. Alice Masarykova
   • D) Dr. Rene Sand
   • Answer: D) Dr. Rene Sand

6. Who was the President of the 1928 Paris Conference?

   • A) Dr. Rene Sand
   • B) Jane Addams
   • C) Dr. Alice Masarykova
   • D) Eglantyne Jebb
   • Answer: C) Dr. Alice Masarykova

7. The idea for an international conference on social work originated from interactions at a national conference in which country in 1919?

   • A) Germany
   • B) United Kingdom
   • C) France
   • D) United States
   • Answer: D) United States

8. In what year was the organizing committee for the first International Conference on Social Work established?

   • A) 1919
   • B) 1923
   • C) 1926
   • D) 1928
   • Answer: C) 1926

9. Which of the following international organizations had representatives on the organizing committee for the conference?

   • A) World Health Organization (WHO)
   • B) United Nations (UN)
   • C) International Labor Organization (ILO)
   • D) UNICEF
   • Answer: C) International Labor Organization (ILO)

10. Which prominent figure in social work led the section on training for social work at the conference?

    • A) Mary Richmond
    • B) Alice Salomon
    • C) Octavia Hill
    • D) Edith Abbott
    • Answer: B) Alice Salomon

11. How many commissions was the work of the 1928 conference divided into?

    • A) Three
    • B) Five
    • C) Seven
    • D) Ten
    • Answer: B) Five

12. What was a primary aim of the first International Conference on Social Work?

    • A) To establish a single global social work curriculum
    • B) To provide direct financial aid to developing nations
    • C) To promote the exchange of information and experience among professionals
    • D) To create a global licensing body for social workers
    • Answer: C) To promote the exchange of information and experience among professionals

13. Which of these major international social work organizations was NOT one of the three that originated from the 1928 Paris Conference?

    • A) International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW)
    • B) International Council on Social Work Education (ICSWE)
    • C) International Conference on Social Welfare (ICSW)
    • D) International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW)
    • Answer: B) International Council on Social Work Education (ICSWE) (Note: IASSW is the correct one focused on education)

14. What was the initial name of the International Conference on Social Welfare (ICSW)?

    • A) The Global Social Aid Society
    • B) The International Conference on Social Work
    • C) The World Council for Social Services
    • D) The United Charities International
    • Answer: B) The International Conference on Social Work

15. What was the initial name of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW)?

    • A) Global Union of Social Practitioners
    • B) International Social Workers' Alliance
    • C) International Permanent Secretariat of Social Workers (IPSSW)
    • D) Federation of National Social Work Associations
    • Answer: C) International Permanent Secretariat of Social Workers (IPSSW)

16. The first International Conference on Social Work was the first of how many such conferences held before World War II interrupted international collaboration?

    • A) One
    • B) Two
    • C) Three
    • D) Four
    • Answer: C) Three

17. In which city was the second International Conference of Social Work held in 1932?

    • A) Berlin
    • B) Vienna
    • C) Frankfurt
    • D) Rome
    • Answer: C) Frankfurt

18. What was a key theme that emerged from the proceedings of the 1928 conference related to social work education?

    • A) Standardization of social work salaries globally
    • B) Increasing professionalism in social work education
    • C) The role of volunteerism in social work
    • D) Universal basic income as a social work goal
    • Answer: B) Increasing professionalism in social work education

19. The official proposal for the conference was made in a letter from Dr. Rene Sand to whom in 1923?

    • A) Alice Masarykova
    • B) Alice Salomon
    • C) Jane Addams
    • D) Julia Lathrop
    • Answer: D) Julia Lathrop

20. Which country hosted the third International Conference on Social Work in 1936?

    • A) Belgium
    • B) Netherlands
    • C) United Kingdom
    • D) Sweden
    • Answer: C) United Kingdom (specifically London, England)