Challenges Confronting the Future Development of International … · 1.Globalization vs....

Challenges Confronting the Future Development of International Social Work: Issues & Strategies

Angelina YuenPresident, IASSW

Associate Vice President, &Head, Department of Applied Social Sciences

Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Maastricht, September 2008

International social work (ISW) is a vital, inevitable & necessary direction for the future development for social work worldwide.

ISW provides the vision and strategy for the development of a new social work paradigm in a globalized world.


What is International Social Work?

Social work which focuses on issues of international concern & which endeavours to address these challenges through international professional action, exchanges & collaboration activities undertaken at both the international & local levels.

The Need for International Social Work in a Globalized World

1. Interdependence of nations:

International social forces & events have changed the practice of social work & demands interdependence among countries and cultures in problem resolution.


2. Common social problems:

Similar social problems are occurring in different countries, making sharing & exchange essential. Practice innovations and problem resolution strategies can be shared among social workers from different countries.

3.Chain-effect of actions:

The actions of one country directly & indirectly affect other countries’ social & economic well-being. It is no longer possible to clearly separate between what is domestic & what is foreign since all issues are interrelated.


4.Advanced technology:

Enhanced opportunities for international sharing & exchanging made possible by advanced technology developments. Patterns of international communication have totally transformed the mode & impact of human communications & social work practice.

5.Redressing cultural dominance & power imbalance:

The traditional power imbalance between the North & South & the dominance of Western world-views over diverse local and indigenous cultural perspectives need to be redressed through international dialogue & partnership.

The Salient Features of International Social Work

1.To nurture global awareness

To change the mindset of social workers so that we do not only focus on domestic issues, but also on global issues.

To cultivate the awareness for international understanding & the need to address problems on a global context.


2.To facilitate cross-national and cross-cultural dialogue

To foster a sense of mutuality & humility & the willingness to engage in dialogue.

To build up communication channels to enhance communication, mutual respect & partnership among citizens of different nations & cultures.

3. To undertake cross-national professional exchanges & action

To address global challenges that are having a significant impact on the well-being of people at both global & local levels.

To develop cross-national social work practice through international collaboration.


4.To engage in international advocacy

To confront global issues and influence global policies through international collaboration.

To influence global policies of UN & other regional & international bodies through collective participation & advocacy.

Tensions confronting International Social Work(Gray & Fook, 2004)

1.Globalization vs. localization:

Tension between globalization & the development of locally based practice solutions.

While there is growing global consciousness to adopt internationalism as a belief system, there is also increasing interest in locally-based solutions & the emphasis on contexuality.


2.Westernization vs. indigenization:

Social work is a Western invention & a product of modernity & the relevance of Western social work practice to the developing world is increasingly being questioned.

Indigenization of social work grounded on local culture is being advocated.

3. Multiculturalism vs. universalization

Social work values often seeks to be universalising & provides a universal set of “shared values”.

These values are challenged as originated from the Judeo-Christian tradition & may not fit in with some cultures & religions.

4.Universal vs. local standards:

While some may advocate for a “universal”social work that transcends national boundaries, some values diversity & pluralism. The search for international standards of social work values & practice may have tension with local cultures & indigenous practices.

Strategies for International Social Work

1. Global Consciousness & Cosmopolitanism

Cultivation of global consciousness & a spirit of cosmopolitanism among social workers, students & public so that there is increasing awareness of the need & interest to address problems on a worldwide scale.


2. Community Capacity Building:

Empowerment & capacity building efforts to enhance the ability of local people to develop the capacity to resist the dominance of globalization & to solve their problems through local & international collaboration.

3.Indigenization approach:

To encourage local people to develop and articulate indigenous theories and approaches which are firmly grounded on local practices and cultural understanding.

4. Reciprocal Dialogue:

To empower local people to articulate their voices & to engage in reciprocal dialogue & cooperation with the international community to work on issues of common concern.


5. Global Networking:

International networking & coalition to impact on global policies and practices through partnership.

Case Study: The Story of Ping Zhai in Yunnan

Background:

Since March 2001, the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the Department of Social Work at the Yunnan University, and the Shizhong County government in Yunnan Province, have undertaken a joint action research project entitled ‘A Study of a Capacity Building Model for Poverty Alleviation in a Chinese Village – the Case of Yunnan’


The primary purpose of launching the project was to develop a rural social work development model which is congruent with the Chinese cultural context and which could generate useful insights for rural social work practice in China.

The project site, Pingzhai village, located at the north-eastern region of Yunnan province, Southwest China. It has a history of around 300 years and is resided mostly by the Zhuang ethnic minority group and is officially classified as a poor village since its people are not yet self-sustainable and are still struggling to have enough food and clothing.

The Capacity building approach:

Fundamental beliefs are that all people have the right to share the world's resources equally and to be masters of their own development and destiny; and that the rejection of such rights is the root of poverty and suffering.


Strengthening people's capacity to make decisions on their choices and priorities and to take action to achieve these goals is the basis of development.

By using the participatory action-oriented research method, we are going to strengthen and support the capacity of local communities to grow and make them become the subject of development.

International social work at work:


Participatory Need Assessment, e.g. oral history collection, village history writing…


Education as Way of Consciousness Raising, e.g. alternative night school

Local community’s active participation, e.g. building community center, cultural recreation team, methane gas pond project, education fund management committee

Building new forms of collectivism, e.g. forming women artwork group and women collective fund…


Searching for New Way of Social Development, e.g. bridging the co-operation between the urban consumer and rural producer, promoting organic farming, urban-rural cooperation, and fair trade…


Impact of the project:

Transforming local community from passive recipients to active participantsPromoting collectivism and cooperationExploring the local knowledge and wisdomEnhancing cultural dignity and confidence of local communityImproving local people’s bettermentEmpowering local community to protect from the negative impact of the market forces


Proposed IASSW Initiatives

1. Global Social Work Educational Network:

To provide continuing learning opportunities for social work educators worldwide, especially those from countries where social work is relatively under-developed, on topics relating to curriculum development.

To use a dialogical approach in the process, emphasizing mutual learning and reciprocal transformation in the process.

2. Global Curriculum Sharing Databank:

To develop the IASSW website into a global hub for exchange and learning on social work educationTo place information on social work curriculum, syllabi and literature on the web for access by members so as to enhance mutual sharing & learning.

3. Curriculum Consultation & Support Team:

To engage experienced social work educators worldwide to provide consultation and support services for countries where social work education is less developed.

To engage a dialogical and peer support approach & to emphasize on cultural relevance and self-determination in the process..

4. The Global Agenda Project:

The IASSW, IFSW & ICSW are jointly embanking on a process to develop the global agenda of social work for the next decade.

The process emphasizes on the collective evolvement and ownership of agenda and action processes which are relevant to the social work communities concerned.

The agenda will emphasize on international understanding, exchanges and collaboration.

Let’s work together to build a stronger international social work community which can make a

difference to the world we live in!

Thank You

Challenges Confronting the Future Development of International … · 1.Globalization vs....

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