• International Social Work

International Social Work

International Social Work (Cox and Pawar)

• While social work emerged in the western countries, it is evolving in different contexts, and
the emphasis of social work differs from context to context. International social work
concerns itself with social work’s potential to contribute to the alleviation of social problems
that are relevant to large sections of the international community.

• While addressing these global needs, social work is concerned with how these problems
are experienced in poorer and developing countries.

• International social work is the promotion of social work education and practice, globally
and locally, with the purpose of building a truly integrated international profession that
reflects social work’s capacity to respond appropriately and effectively, in education and
practice terms, to the various global challenges that are having a significant impact on
the well-being of large sections of the world’s population.

• This global and local promotion of social work education and practice is based on an
integrated-perspectives approach that synthesizes global, human rights, ecological, and
social development perspectives of international situations and responses to them (Cox and
Pawar)

This definition stresses upon the link between social work education and practice. While
responding to global challenges, the focus will be on integrated perspectives that synthesizes
human rights, ecological and social development approaches. International social work on its
part is concerned with various fields such as poverty alleviation, development, disasters, health
concern, food security, migration etc. While focusing on these various fields and on specific
populations, it is recognized that the various fields are inter related. Fields of poverty, conflict
and ecological degradation for example are inter related.

For eg poverty and conflict can lead to ecological degradation. Similarly, poverty and ecological
degradation can also lead to conflict. Poverty is also closely related to concerns such as food
security and migration.

In addition to recognizing this inter relationship, international social work also recognizes that
responses can be at different levels- international, national and local.

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Integrated-perspectives approach to international social work

Cox and Pawar suggest that international social work should be guided by the integrated-
perspectives approach that synthesizes global, human rights, ecological and social development
perspectives.

Global Perspective

Global perspective is inevitable when we think of international concerns. It helps us to make

sense of the term ‘international’. Global often suggests ‘unity’ or belonging to a ‘global village’.
However there is diversity within that unity, esp in social and cultural dimensions. Similarly,
while there is globalization, there is also localization.

Unity- While we live in different parts of the world, we are united by the fact that we inhabit the
same planet, affected by changes in the earth’s ecology, by events in world history (covid, war,
terrorism), and by large scale economic transformations (for eg, onset of industrial revolution,
onset of corporate capitalism etc)

Diversity- Despite common features of our existence, the social, economic and cultural context
in which people live, differs from place to place

While globalization has affected the distinct nature of many societies, there is still significant
cultural and ethnic diversity.

Globalization and Localization- This takes into account the way in which globalization has
transformed social, economic and cultural aspects of daily life. It also recognizes the reality of
the importance of localization, of developing unique and indigenous responses.

World citizenship- the concept of the global citizen, with equal rights. This perspective
emphasizes that citizenship can never by limited to nationality and territory, but that we are all
citizens of the world just as much we are citizens of a particular state/country. Only such a
perspective will ensure that people continue to participate in a democratic manner in a globalized
world.

HUMAN RIGHTS PERSPECTIVE

• This perspective provides the essential values and rights basis of international social work.
They are standards that recognize and protect dignity of all human beings. They are rights
inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion,
or any other status.

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Human Rights include

• Right to life and liberty

• Right to freedom from slavery and torture
• Freedom of opinion and expression
• Right to work and education and many others
• Human rights endorse that all human beings are entitled to a ‘life of dignity’.
Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the
UN General Assembly in 1945 and 1948 respectively. IFSW in 2000 stated that ‘principles of
human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work’.

The Ecological Perspective

• Focus on the natural environment within which human life is and must be lived, on which
human life depends. Environment problems are not viewed as problems that lie outside our
social system. Rather environmental problems are merely symptoms of a more significant
problem, a result of the existing social-economic-political system. “if the ecological crisis is
to be effectively resolved, it will be through social, economic and political change, rather
than through scientific and technological progress’ (Ife in Cox and Pawar).

• This view illustrates that the world is full of complex inter relationships. Just as we recognize
diversity in human beings, we also recognize that diversity of species and conditions within
the web of life is critical. Impact of people on the environment has to be kept in balance.

Social Development

• Social development is closely associated with the view of development as a process that
enhances well being of all people. People are valued more than systems or structures. ‘The
basic objectives of human development is to enlarge peoples choices to make devt more
democratic and participatory. These choices should include access to income and
employment opportunities, education and health, and a clean and safe physical environment’
(UNDP, 1990)

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The integrated perspective

• International social work is therefore to be guided by the integrated perspectives approach

that synthesizes global, human rights, ecological and social development approaches. Social
workers and development practitioners can employ the approach to analyse and address
needs and issues at local and global levels.

Global organization of social work

• Social work is practiced across the globe

• 3social
main international social work organizations that are the key global organizations uniting
work internationally are

• International Association of Schools of Social Work- IASSW

• International Federation of Social Workers- IFSW

• International Council on Social Welfare- ICSW

• All three organizations are active at the UN level, and promote global social welfare and
social development agendas.

• (see pages 24-27 from Cox and Pawar)