The Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF) organized the Third National Forum for Social Workers in the State of Qatar on October 5 and 6, 2026, under the theme "Professional Responsibility and Social Impact." The forum was held under the patronage of H.E. Mrs. Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, MSDF Minister, with the participation of a select group of experts, specialists and social workers.

H.E. Mr. Khalifa bin Issa Al Kubaisi, Undersecretary of MSDF, affirmed that "social work is a profession built on a great responsibility towards the individual, the family and society, requiring knowledge, competence, adherence to professional ethics, and the ability to respond to social needs and changes." He noted that the Ministry attaches great importance to developing professional practice and enhancing the capabilities of social workers, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, the Third National Development Strategy, and the Ministry's 2025–2030 Strategy, "From Care to Empowerment."

H.E. added that this year's theme reflects the essence of the social work profession, as professional responsibility is not fulfilled merely by performing one's role, but by the tangible impact it creates in the lives of individuals and families. He expressed his hope that the forum's sessions and discussions would contribute to the exchange of expertise and the presentation of practical insights and recommendations that support the development of professional practice and strengthen integration among relevant entities.

For his part, Mr. Nasser Al Mughaiseeb, Director of the Community Development Department, said: "This forum underscores the importance of investing in developing the professional competencies of social workers and providing a national platform for exchanging expertise and reviewing local and international practices, thereby enhancing the quality of social services and turning professional recommendations into initiatives with a tangible and sustainable impact on the lives of individuals, families and society."

He explained that the forum's programme addresses professional responsibility in social work, community partnerships for sustainable social development, and the future of social work in light of artificial intelligence applications, in addition to roundtables discussing the development of professional training, the e-platform for social workers, institutional integration, and talent attraction and career path development.

The forum aims to support the professional development of social work practitioners, enhance the exchange of expertise and knowledge, keep pace with modern practices, and develop competencies in response to social and developmental transformations. It also seeks to review governance models and experiences and formulate practical proposals for employing artificial intelligence tools in developing social services.

The forum serves as a national platform bringing together relevant entities, experts, practitioners and those interested in social work to discuss challenges and opportunities, strengthen coordination and integration among institutions, and build qualified social cadres who contribute to achieving the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030 and fostering a more cohesive and sustainable society.

The Ministry also continues its efforts to prepare policies and regulations governing the practice of social professions, recognizing the importance of establishing a legislative framework that regulates professional practice, enhances standards of competence and quality, and consolidates the status and role of social professions in serving society.

The forum's sessions discussed a number of specialized topics related to developing the social work system and enhancing professional practice, highlighting professional responsibility and the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainable development, as well as exploring prospects for employing artificial intelligence in social practices and the future of social work.

The first session, titled "From Legislation to Impact: Professional Responsibility in Social Work," focused on the importance of professional responsibility in raising the quality of social practice, and the role of legislation and professional frameworks in transforming professional principles and regulations into effective practices that deliver tangible impact on individuals, families and society.

The session was moderated by Dr. Sharifa Al Emadi, Executive Director of the Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), with the participation of Dr. Khaled Abduljabbar, Psychological Counseling Consultant at the Social Protection Department, MSDF; Ms. Zakia Abdullah Haji, a social expert specializing in elderly care at the Ehsan Center; and lawyer Ali Talib Al Hanzab, founding member of the Qatari Lawyers Association. The session included a discussion on ways to translate legislative and professional frameworks into practical measures that support social work and enhance its impact on society.

The second session addressed "Partnerships and Sustainable Development," highlighting the importance of integration among institutions and entities concerned with social work, and the role of partnerships in developing initiatives and programmes that contribute to achieving sustainable development and improving the quality of social services provided to the community.

The session was chaired by Dr. Ahmed Al Buainain, with the participation of Mr. Shaqer Al Shahwani, Consultant at the Family Reconciliation Office; Dr. Khalid Al Naama, Director of the Awareness and Advocacy Department at DIFI; and Ms. Safia Waqyan Al Dosari, Social Worker at the Aman Center.

The session featured a range of insights and professional experiences on the importance of building effective and sustainable partnerships among relevant institutions, strengthening the integration of social efforts and supporting the development of solutions and practices that respond to the needs of families and society.

In keeping pace with rapid technological transformations, one of the forum's sessions discussed "Artificial Intelligence in Social Practices and the Future of Social Work," shedding light on opportunities to employ AI technologies in developing social practices and services, and the potential they offer to enhance the efficiency of social work and respond to the needs of individuals and families.

The session was chaired by Dr. Yousef Hassan, Psychology Programmes Coordinator at the Department of Social Sciences, Qatar University, with the participation of a number of specialists and experts: Dr. Mohammed Raed Al Saqatri, Executive Leader in Technology and Strategy in IT and Cybersecurity at Mibrah; Ms. Mashael Al Fadhli, Head of the Psychological Tests and Measures Section at the Family Consulting Center (Wifaq); Ms. Bashayer Al Rashed, Executive Director of Medical Social Work at Hamad Medical Corporation; and the young Nayef Ahmed Al Hail, founder of the "Be With Me in My World" initiative.

The session addressed the importance of keeping pace with technological developments in social work and leveraging AI applications to enhance the efficiency of professional practices, while emphasizing the importance of preserving the human dimension and professional values in delivering social services.

Through organizing this forum, MSDF affirms its commitment to supporting social workers, advancing professional practice, and strengthening partnership and integration among all entities concerned with social work, thereby contributing to the development of more efficient social services that respond to the needs of individuals, families and society, and achieving sustainable social impact.