Chapter 1: International Social

Work

Social Work
1.

2.

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.
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).

The Global Spread and

Organization of Social Work
1.

Professional Social Works 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.

The Global Spread and Organization of

Social Work
(Continued)
2. The Expansion of Social Work Through Colonizationsocial 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 CountriesTen
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.

The Global Spread and Organization of

Social Work
(Continued)
4.

5.

6.

Recent Trends in Social Work of Relevance to International Social Workthree

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 PracticeIn 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.

The Global Spread and Organization of

Social Work
(Continued)
7.

Factors That Influence the Choice of the Three Areas of Practice and the
Balance Between Them
a. Complexity of Factorswhat 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 Contextspoverty, HIV/AIDS, social
development, casework, and all areas needed for a region.
c. The Need for a Comprehensive and Integrated Responseholistic
response between all parties to address conflict.
d. Levels of Development of Social WorkersAll levels of social work
education needed to address poverty, local-level development, engage
with displaced persons, and postconflict reconstruction.

The Global Spread and Organization of

Social Work
(Continued)
8. The Professionalization of Social Work social workers impose control or influence over peoples
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 schools 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 1929led 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 WorkersIFSW 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. Its 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.

International Social Work

1.

2.

The Definition of International Social Work Healys 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 Healys 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).

Conclusion
1. Social works potential to contribute to
alleviation of social problems and areas that
preoccupy large sections of the international
community.
2. 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 IFSWs and Barkers
(1999) social work definitions on p. 3. What
are the differences and similarities between
these two definitions?