The influx of refugees and immigrants would mean that modern Ireland would have to deal with racism and poverty, the President, Mrs Robinson, told the conference. There were now more people coming to Ireland and seeking refuge here than ever before. In our history there have been waves of emigration and we had a particular responsibility to remember this. In the past three years, we had been commemorating the Famine, not only here but in the Irish community abroad, and this had emphasised the Irishness of that community.
She said poverty was another challenge. The Irish economy was seen as one of the most successful in the world yet divisions had been widening.
The divide was widening between those who had a third-level education and good jobs and those who felt left behind as they heard of the new sense of prosperity. They were aware of the benefits of third-level education and that, if they had the opportunity, they could develop their potential. There was a sense of unfairness.
Mrs Robinson said one of her most memorable meetings in recent times was with a group of Irish people of mixed race origins who were discriminated against because of the colour of their skin.
Despite being born in Ireland, and having regional accents, they were never allowed to consider themselves truly "Irish" and were often told to "go back to where you came from". There needed to be more consciousness of the feelings and needs of people like this, she said.
She told the delegates, both academics and practising social workers, that she came to value the work of social workers in her work as a lawyer. She became interested in social work law and case work issues and became aware of their complexity.
At the time, there was a lack of procedures of natural justice. This had now changed because of certain cases but also because those in receipt of services were becoming more empowered.
The President said the biggest problem facing social workers was to empower people and make them feel they were the agents of change.