Reclaiming international social work

What is it about?

The protection of human rights and promotion of social justice is a shared spirit manifested within all social work. Islands of local concern are directly affected by global stresses and inequalities and the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development has created a space for repositioning social work globally in addressing such challenges. This article opens up definitions and examples of international social work, arguing the need for integrating an international outlook within social work education, policy and practice. While social work in most of the Anglophone contexts are driven by local imperatives, there is also a need for capitalizing on the creative and energetic crisis response and capacity building abilities that exist in areas where the profession is thinly resourced and regulated. International problems require international solutions, developed collaboratively. This implies a need for integration of an international focus within the knowledge, skills and values of the current and emerging workforce, wherever they call home, in a way that the Global Agenda aspirations are embodied in the critical thinking and practice of social work.

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Why is it important?

Social work work is a human rights-based profession and aims to empower individuals, families and communities to address issues of poverty, inequality and promote human rights. Although contextually oriented in its manifestation, social work is a well established global profession with a clearly defined knowledge base, skills and values and underpinned by codes of practice. However,there appears an increasing trend by other professions to enter the field of social work. The development of the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development provides a great opportunity to re-energize the profession, promote its unique identity enhance its global reach.

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