The year of the family in the United Arab Emirates: Structural considerations for international social work

This Brief Note examines the United Arab Emirates’ designation of 2026 as the Year of the Family and considers its implications for international social work in a context where most residents are expatriates. The analysis identifies two shifts that are relevant for the global profession. The first involves rethinking how social workers engage with macro-level structures that shape family life. The second highlights imbalances created when the well-being of one group relies on the labor of another whose family cohesion is constrained. These reflections offer insights for practitioners working in diverse and stratified social contexts.