Chapter 1: International Social Work

1. Chapter 1: International Social Work

2. Social Work • Is social work “socially constructed” in various part of the world? a. The individual paradigm is represented in American social work; China focus on mobilization of the masses to address social problems; Latin America emphasizes social justice and social action; Africa emphasizes on social development; and Eastern Europe since 1990 has emphasized social reconstruction or the rebuilding of civil society. 2. The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) has adopted in 1976 that social work originates from humanitarian, religious and democratic ideals and philosophies. In 2004, IFSW approved another definition of social work profession to promote social change and problem solving in relationships and empowerment and liberation of people (see p. 3). USA adopted a definition of social work as an applied science of helping people achieve effective psychosocial functioning and effecting societal changes to enhance well-being of all people (Barker, 1999).

3. The Global Spread and Organization of Social Work • Professional Social Work’s Western Origins a. social work grew out of urban destitution and post-Industrial Revolution England and the govt.’s response to this situation through relief for the poor. b. individualist approaches, social reform movements and the growth of public social services all played a role in the development of social work. c. From developments in law focusing on young offenders led to establishing probation services; and from health field medical model, the emergence of hospital social work and later psychiatric social work. d. In Europe, social work varies such as France where social work has 8 or 9 occupational groups regarded as paraprofessionals elsewhere. In Germany, social work is individualized casework where workers operate from local-community based offices, hospitals, clinics, or voluntary organizations. In Sweden, social work does not include work with the elderly. In England, income support or social assistance is provided by civil servants in a national security system whereas social workers assess and administer the benefits in the continental western Europe. Social work in Europe has indigenous roots and exported this structure to the colonies. England exported its welfare system to Australia.

4. The Global Spread and Organization of Social Work (Continued) 2. The Expansion of Social Work Through Colonization—social work accompanied colonialism to meet the needs of the colonial powers and the leaders believed they were bringing the territories into the modern world. The emphasis was on health, education, and law and order. 3. The Focus on Indigenous Social Work in Developing Countries—Ten steps to develop indigenous social work on p. 9. a) Acceptance of teaching a western social work model; b) questioning the model and the local relevance; c) identifying what is and is not relevant; d) identifying what factors result in the model not being relevant; e) discovering solutions, perceptions and coping strategies; f) documenting and incorporating these strategies into classroom and field education; g) undertaking micro level exercises to facilitate development of indigenous curricula; h) documenting and disseminating effective social work practices; i) revising subject curricula to incorporate all of the above; and j) organizing curriculum development workshops at the school level.

5. The Global Spread and Organization of Social Work (Continued) 4. Recent Trends in Social Work of Relevance to International Social Work—three areas of practice: social work is arm of the state; committed to social functioning or well-being of individuals and families by working with clients; and contribution to the building of healthy, cohesive, and enabling communities and societies. • The Question of Balance Between the Three Areas of Practice—In US, the focus is on micro practice with individuals in families. In England, the focus might be on application of rules and law and policy and social workers to enforce it. In Africa, social development. The attempts of indigenization (Western framework is adapted and transplanted and modified to fit the new culture) must be taken further and social work must respond to the major problems in Africa by adopting a developmental approach. • The Neglect of Certain Fields of Practice and Certain Population Groupings—Groups not adequately addressed like refugees and displaced persons; social work neglect of extreme poverty in developing countries; social workers select urban and middle-class jobs; and social workers neglect social policy. Social workers may also neglect indigenous populations and minority groups. The reasons may also be related to available jobs and funding.

6. The Global Spread and Organization of Social Work (Continued) • Factors That Influence the Choice of the Three Areas of Practice and the Balance Between Them a. Complexity of Factors—what determines social work deployment? 1. Involves backgrounds and motivations of those who apply for and are accepted into social work schools. In developing nations, well-educated and urban middle-class are favored. 2. values, curriculum, and staff profile of social work schools and the curricula attract specific types of students and influence the employment practices. 3. Employment market opportunities. 4. Community attitudes among govt. personnel who make decisions about education. b. Local Issues, Needs, and Contexts—poverty, HIV/AIDS, social development, casework, and all areas needed for a region. c. The Need for a Comprehensive and Integrated Response—holistic response between all parties to address conflict. d. Levels of Development of Social Workers—All levels of social work education needed to address poverty, local-level development, engage with displaced persons, and postconflict reconstruction.

7. The Global Spread and Organization of Social Work (Continued) 8. The “Professionalization” of Social Work– social workers impose control or influence over people’s lives and well-being, therefore the training at the highest level is important. The nine global guidelines established by IFSW in 2004 is important and cover social work school’s core purpose or mission, program objectives and outcomes, program curricula, professional staff, student body, structure, administration, governance and resources, cultural and ethnic diversity and gender inclusiveness, and social values and ethical codes of conduct. 9. The Global Organization of Social Work a. International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) --founded in 1929—led by Katherine Kendall as first secretary-general in 1971. The office was maintained until 1990s when the financial situation necessitated a voluntary secretariat. Newsletters, publications, and conferences represent links between schools of social work in developed and developing countries. b. International Federation of Social Workers—IFSW– originally founded in 1928 as International Permanent Secretariat of Social Workers and dissolved during WWII and emerged in 1950s and eventually IFSW in 1956. Promotes social work profession with professional standards and ethics. The International Code of Ethics was adopted in 1976. Another goal is the interchange between social workers around the globe. c. International Council on Social Welfare-ICSW- founded in 1928 as International Conference on Social Work and became ICSW in 1966. It’s an international council composed of national social welfare councils with some international associations and promotes social development. All three organizations are active in UN, publish the journal International Social Work.

8. International Social Work • The Definition of International Social Work – Healy’s definition on p.19 that includes international domestic practice and advocacy, professional exchange, international practice, and international policy development and advocacy. Cox and Pawar think that the goal of the profession to see itself established around the world is missing in Healy’s definition and they add it to their definition on p. 20. The features of their definition are: action to address social work education and practice at global and local levels; links between education and international practice; integration of diverse practices rather than domination by one country or culture; an integrated-perspectives approach to practice (synthesis of global, human rights, ecological, and social development perspectives); and individual and collective well-being. • The Scope of International Social Work in Terms of Its Response to Global Concerns –poverty, HIV/AIDS, conflict, ecological degradation, etc. Responses can be at local, national, and international levels. For example, responses can come from UN (international), the European Union (regional), various governments (national) and local organizations and movements (local).

9. Conclusion • Social work’s potential to contribute to alleviation of social problems and areas that preoccupy large sections of the international community. • The potential of social work to contribute to confronting these global needs as they are experienced in the least developed countries and areas of the world. Q: Compare and contrast the IFSW’s and Barker’s (1999) social work definitions on p. 3. What are the differences and similarities between these two definitions?