Charles Mbugua has been honored with a Ksh25 million prize for his contributions to social work on a local and worldwide scale over the years.
Mbugua’s activism for disability equality and women’s rights was recognized by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Secretary-General Rory Truell, who presented him with the award.
Mbugua has been the UN-social Habitat’s work representative in Nairobi for many years.
“The International Federation of Social Workers is pleased to announce the award of the highest honour of the Federation- the Andrew Mouravieff-Apostol Medal- to Charles Mbugua and the Council of International Fellowship,” Truell stated.
“The award recognises Mbugua’s outstanding contribution to professional social work nationally, regionally and globally in different cadres and now serving as the IFSW UN Representative for Africa Region,” Truell added.
Mbugua has years of experience as a social work practitioner, according to his biography on the IFSW website.
The National Christian Council of Kenya, the World Council of Churches, Local and Central Government in Kenya, World Vision International, and the Economic Commission for Africa are among the organizations with which he has worked.
Mbugua, a founding member and Co-Chair of the Commonwealth Organisation for Social Work, has been at the forefront of global policy developments affecting social workers.
“As the IFSW Main Representative at the UN in Nairobi, he was, alongside others instrumental in agitating for the changing of Rules of Procedure and engagement, a change which paved way for the formation of the World Urban Forum,” IFSW stated.
The federation also noted that Mbugua played key roles in several conferences in different countries in Africa.
Mbugua was elated for receiving the award, noting that it would serve as a motivating factor for other social workers to excel in their quest to solve human-related issues.
“The sentimental value of the award is elating and is a big honour to Africa and welfare champions in the region,” he noted.
Mbugua also performed crucial roles in various conferences across Africa, according to the federation.
Mbugua was overjoyed to receive the prize, stating that it would serve as a motivator for other social workers to strive for greater success in their efforts to solve human-related problems.
