Teaching International Social

WorkStockholm Conference July 2012

Nigel HallKingston University, UK

n.hall@sgul.kingston.ac.ukSage Publications, IFSW

Purpose of the module

encouraging discussion of students’ own diverse international experiences developing awareness of international issues and linking this to social work knowledge and values promoting consideration of best practice in social work from around the world

International social workFour dimensions: internationally related domestic practice and advocacy professional exchange international practiceinternational policy development and advocacy.Healy, L. (2001) International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Context of the module• Taught at Kingston University, London from

2010 as part of a post-qualifying course for practitioners in both adult and children & families' services.

• International module an optional module but proving quite popular with students

• Small numbers allowing for sharing of experience and discussion (approx 10 students per year).

How is the module assessed?

• Each student will research and develop a proposed international social work project (3,500 words), which will critically analyse how international social work knowledge can be applied in the context selected (the project may be either actual or imagined) (70% of mark)

• Using a poster presentation the project is shown to both class and academic members of staff who then grade it (30% of mark)

Topics covered (1) History and background of the three key

international professional organisations: IFSW, IASSW, ICSW

International code of ethics, international values, International definition of social work

Social development and social work Indigenous social work theory and

practice social work and human rights issues.

Topics covered (2) Poverty alleviation, structural adjustment

and movements for economic justice Humanitarian initiatives – tsunami,

disaster, HIV/AIDS pandemic and the social work response

Ethnic and inter-state conflict, refugees and forced migration

International approaches to user and carer involvement and empowerment

Linking students with international

practitioners...Connecting the class with international social work practitioners adds value to the module and in 2011 a Skype connection was used to link the classroom to the IFSW international office in Berne, Switzerland. Students were able to interview the recently appointed Secretary General of IFSW on his plans for the future and following the earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, a Consultant Social Worker dealing with the recovery and relief operations.

...and external speakers a Zimbabwean UK based social worker discussing his experiences of moving to and finding work in the UK KU Professor detailing his work in the development of welfare policies as consultant with the Russian-European Trust for Welfare Reform. Children’s Society explaining their work with young carers in Africa and developing a toolkit website which supports black and minority ethnic young carers and their families Social work experience in situations of political conflict, especially Palestine.

Examples of student projects

Action for Disabled People in the Ivory Coast

The Activity of Shell in Ogoniland The Freedom Project (Afghanistan) The Start Programme: Supporting Street

Children in Brazil Hope from Hospital Project (Nigeria) Child soldiers in Congo: Demobilisation Assisting Tanzanian street kids through

uilding awareness of the Global Agenda

Project: Building Awareness of the Global Agenda to assist Street Kids

Project – Tanzanian Street Kids meet Swedish young people

Develop local project (e.g. working with street children, but link this is project materials to relevant international global agenda theme(s).Link the project to Street Kids International and publicise these connections, including Global Agenda issuesDevelop an exchange programme so that local street kids will visit a young person’s project in SwedenFunding – application to SIDA and to local social work charitiesTime period – a 3-year project

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…to the various global challenges that are having a significant impact on the well-being of large sections of the world population”(Cox & Pawar, 2006 International Social Work: Issues, Strategies & Programs. London: Sage, p.20)

Project – Tanzanian Street Kids meet Swedish young people

Develop local project (e.g. working with street children, but link this is project materials to relevant international global agenda theme(s).Link the project to Street Kids International and publicise these connections, including Global Agenda issuesDevelop an exchange programme so that local street kids will visit a young person’s project in SwedenFunding – application to SIDA and to local social work charitiesTime period – a 3-year project

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…to the various global challenges that are having a significant impact on the well-being of large sections of the world population”(Cox & Pawar, 2006 International Social Work: Issues, Strategies & Programs. London: Sage, p.20)

Themes1. Social and

economic inequalities

within countries and between

regions2. Dignity and worth

of the person3. Environmental

sustainability4. Importance of

human relationships

Differing Perspectives in social work

UNIVERSITY/AGENCYPERSPECTIVEDeepening knowledgeBuilding values Improving professional capabilities

STUDENTS’ OWN PERSPECTIVEPersonal valuesIndividualexperience

INTERNATIONALSOCIAL WORK PERSPECTIVESocial changeSocial justiceSocio-political awarenessGlobal /systemic

Building on anti-oppressive &ADP values

Sustaining critical reflection and analysis

Developing confidence in students’professional role & values

Learning from Best Practice in International Work

Engaging in positive,solution focused & pro-active approaches

Deepening values of respect , participation & social development

Appreciating examples of best practice – local, national & global

Student feedback (2011 class)“Enjoyed the assignment and poster

presentations”“A good way of bringing together various interests”“Skype links very interesting – appreciated the chance to interview key people in IFSW”“helped me think about working internationally and what this would involve”Interesting to think through factors causing social exclusion and poverty”

ResourcesInternational Teaching Resources

http://www.swap.ac.uk/themes/int.html#exthttp://www.swapbox.ac.uk/

International Federation of Social Workers http://www.ifsw.org

International Association of Schools of Social Workhttp://www.iassw-aiets.org/

International Council on Social Welfarehttp://www.icsw.org/

THANK YOU!