A panel session was held as part of the international forum on the topic "Social Protection Systems in Transition: Lessons from World Experience in Building Flexible and Comprehensive Social Support."

At this session, senior representatives and experts from the National Agency for Social Protection, the International Labor Organization, as well as UNICEF, the UN, and the World Bank presented their scientific developments and experiences.

Social protection reforms are being implemented rapidly in Uzbekistan. Skilled social workers play a key role in protecting children, supporting families and reducing poverty. To further strengthen these efforts, the Uzbekistan-Colombia Center (Center for Strengthening Communities and Developing Social Wellbeing) was established. The Center works to reduce the risk of poverty, strengthen families and build sustainable communities where children can thrive by developing evidence-based social services, - said Rehina Castiglio, Head of UNICEF Uzbekistan.

The forum was actively attended by specialists from the Center, Director of the Special Department at the Columbia University School of Social Work Lyudmila Kim, representatives of the Social Policy Laboratory, and representatives of higher educational institutions that train professionals in the field of social work. During the meeting, issues of further improving the educational process were discussed, and promising plans were put forward to introduce special courses focused on social work with poor and low-income families into the curricula.