International Social Work Opportunities in International Social Work Introduction & Review
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International Social Work Opportunities in International Social Work Introduction & Review Why is Int’l Social Work Important? What examples do you have? We live in a shrinking globe National actions cross national borders Remember it can range from full time overseas work to domestic work with some int’l. dimensions Global interdependence Int’l. Social Work 1. Social agency caseloads have changed 2. Social problems shared even by developed countries 3. Actions of one country effects others 4. Advanced technologies & travel has lead to enhanced sharing opportunities History of Int’l. Social Work Role of COS & Settlement House Movement Formal schools develop in late 1890’s First Int’l Conference of Social Work in 1928. Dominance of US, Britain & Germany Eastern Europe Influence History Cont’d. Latin America Africa China India Role of early missionaries Denmark History Cont’d. 1915 Abraham Flexner’s Report Problems with the definition of the profession current example in Latvia Social Diagnosis History Cont’d. SW viewed as a female profession Role in World War I Impact of worldwide Depression Rise of Nationalism and shift away from Int’l. thinking Social Work in World War II Rise of Nationalism Restrictions placed on German & Italian Social Work Programs SW attempts value-neutral stance Japanese-Americans in Internment camps Post war impacts of Communism Post War Changes Social work was officially abolished after the Soviet take over of Eastern Europe It was declared as unnecessary & a bourgeois profession in China as well Social Work however continued in Poland in spite of the devastation UNRRA--Int’l. SW Involvement UNRRA November 1943 --established Developed by 44 Nations Promised to organize relief & rehabilitation for nations invaded by the Axis powers….as soon as they are liberated UNRRA programs are a high point of Int’l. Social Work Role of UN With the est. of UNRRA & subsequent developments the UN became the largest contributor to the spread of Social Work throughout the world 1950 to 1960 Time period of independence movements throughout Africa, Asia & the Caribbean The First International Conference of Ministers Responsible for Social Welfare was held in Africa in 1968…officials from 89 countries, NGO’s & observers were present 1970’s & Rejection of the West New nations reject Western models of Social Work in favor of a search for an indigenous form of social work…both culturally and economically relevant to the society Latin America leads the way Radical approach Moderate approach Latin American Social Work Impact of Paulo Freire..stressing an approach based upon citizen participation Additional impact of Liberation Theology Fall of USSR New opportunities occurred with the end of Soviet domination Establishment of Social Work programs in Eastern Europe in early 1990’s First Int’l. Russian Social Work Conference in 1993 Movements in China in the late 1990’s Role of CSWE 1956 CSWE forms working committee to develop definition of Int’l. SW Membership in IASSW stressed CSWE International Commission formed Int’l. Commission impacts EPAS Accredited Programs to include content Healy’s Definition of Int’l. Social Work 1. Internationally related Domestic Practice & Advocacy 2. Professional Exchange 3. International Practice 4. International Policy Development & Advocacy Int’l. Survey Results Cross-cultural understanding Comparative social policy Concern with global problems general worldview knowledge of common profession worldwide International Practice Survey Results cont’d. Intergovernmental social welfare experience sense of collegiality with social workers in other countries We can also add: a good sensed of humor and a high degree of flexibility NASW & Int’l. Social Work By 1999 NASW had begun to focus on the role of Social Workers in International Practice A position paper was called for on the role of social work in international development Social work’s contribution to policy development was stressed SW & International Practice Rosenthal in her 1991 article stated that although social work and International social welfare organizations have much in common, not many social workers appear to participate in international practice…. WHY?? Elements of Occupational Choice General Values & Skills General Values & Skills Acceptance of the intrinsic worth of the individual Preference for helping disadvantaged people help themselves Belief in the dual thrust of human welfarealleviate present & prevent future problems Desire to promote social justice Technical Skills Comm. Organizing skills Administration skills Social Policy analysis Program design & development Education & training skills Practice Location 1. Freedom to relocate from the US 2. Makes Professional & Personal demands 3. Intercultural Experience 4. Need to be global-minded…need to be altruistic Rosenthal Study Findings Social Workers reported a lack of freedom to relocate They also perceived that living & working in the developing world would not be rewarding Recruitment should focus on sw’ers with few $ problems & family obligations Globalization from Below What does CSWE CPS really mean? This type of globalization represents the interests of the common person not the multinational corporation Implemented through a “pen-pal” concept via the internet Aids in student understanding of different peoples & cultures Use of Internet Social workers can share information and collaborate in solving social problems International Social Work must be a two-way street and American Social Workers have much to learn from their colleagues in other countries Course Projects List generated of potential student partners & several local community organizations American students required to communicate 2 times per week to discuss common social problems in both countries Results of Project Perhaps most significant is the increased awareness between students in the two cultures of the similarities & differences they experienced Additionally, it may be a way of answering the questions raised in the earlier Rosenthal study…it promoted American social worker interest International Social Work Placement Possibilities Practices, Responsibilities, Accountability & Contracts International Social Work Massive changes taking place around the globe……such as?? What is a definition of global interdependence? Has the end of the Cold War made the world a safer place? What’s the role of International Social Work? International Social Work Why is social work a primarily locally focused profession? Reality today is the social workers much have a global focus….local practice is increasingly impacted by global factors What do social workers know about the World Bank & the IMF? International Social Work End of Cold War means political ideologies decline & ethnicity as well as religion become sources of conflict How has this impacted upon the refugees & resulting immigration issues? Largest worldwide Diaspora of people in history International Social Work Increased need for professions to have an understanding of the cultural roots of the new immigrants & ethnic groups Worldwide poverty is increasing Some societies have a nonexistent or shrinking middle class Increasing disparities in the area of wealth International Social Work Too little food Too little safe water Poor or inadequate health care Human rights violations AIDS pandemic Increasing poverty & apathy International Social Work Obstacles to social work’s role internationally????? International Social Work Lack of status Lack of resources Political oppression No official gov’t. sanction Service structures that limit assistance Limited societal understanding of the role of social work International Social Work How do social workers begin to take a global perspective??…..without being overwhelmed by the problems of the world? Role of social work organizations IFSW IASSW ICSW and IUCISD International Social Work To date, the Int’l. SW organizations perform a primarily educational role Increased UN and International NGO involvement is needed….perhaps a role for MU ICD graduates?? Why are American SW’ers absent from these organizations? International Social Work Impacts of economic growth & social improvements Requires programs & policies that enhance people’s welfare & well-being while at the same time contributing to economic advancement International Social Work Disjointed development often means some benefit from economic policies, but not the majority Many are left with the idea social benefits are an economic drain upon the society International Social Work Economic plans must enhance social programs & services Also Social development must contribute to economic development Any IDEAS how this can be done at a National level? International Social Work FACT: the highest standards of living in the world today are found in those nations that experienced economic modernization & at the same time introduced extensive social programs. What is “distorted development”? International Social Work The Developmental Perspective Seeks to promote the well-being of people through harmonizing economic & social policies within a dynamic process of development. What was British experience in West Africa?? International Social Work UN definition of Social Development stressed a movement beyond traditional remedial short-term services to that of promoting a wider inclusive view of social welfare The UN challenged governments to ensure economic benefits reached ordinary people…..equity concept International Social Work In response to a top-down model of social planning the UN in the late 1970’s began to stress citizen or community participation to enhance local citizen involvement in the social planning process Community participation is now considered vital in social development International Social Work Problem Statement You have just taken a job as a social planner for the government of Belarus….what are your initial plans for work in the areas of social & economic development? International Social Work How the approach works: First, it establishes organizational mechanisms to integrate economic & social policies. Second, economic growth must have a positive impact on people’s welfare Third, social programs that directly impact economic development are stressed International Social Work Social workers & social agencies need to have a focus that is concerned with the promotion of human welfare rather than the treatment of personal problems This has not been worked out in the profession as we continue to deal the “correctness” of micro vs. macro practice International Social Work Midgley’s perspective on SW involvement in Development 1. Assist in mobilizing human capital 2. Foster the formation of social capital 3. Help low-income & special-needs clients engage in employment Realities of Practice 2 billion people will be added to the world’s population in the next 30 years and another billion in the following 20 years…..what is the concept of doubling time? 2.5 billion to 3 billion people currently live on less than $2.00 per day! Realities Poverty declining but still a problem Inequality widening Increased conflict Air pollution Little fresh water Soil & forests destroyed Biodiversity disappearing Social Work & the Global Economy The Role of Global Interdependence SW & the Global Economy Global Interdependence is a fact of life for us all A Global focus has been strong in economics & environmental issues Understood by sw’ers in developing nations given their involvement in structural adjustment programs through the IMF SW & the Global Economy Today, global interdependence has impacted sw’ers in developing nations as well. Increasing similarities in social problems Countries can no longer solve their problems themselves…….for example the problem of “human trafficking” SW & the Global Economy Social workers must be cognizant of global matters in order to understand the problems they face in working with clients and communities and in contributing to problem resolutions. Can you think of any examples?? SW & the Global Economy Remember, in a global economy social problems at the local level may be caused in part or wholly by economic changes occurring far away Impacts of capital-absorbing and laborsaving production technologies…..leading to the reduction in the need for human capital SW & the Global Economy Changes have come in the nature of human work In the next 25 years many industrial countries will see the virtual elimination of the blue-collar assembly line worker Impact of down sizing & right sizing effects the white-collar workers SW & the Global Economy Some white-collar workers are being transferred from permanent jobs to short-term employment including leased, temporary and contingent work….it reduces the company’s fiscal liability in the areas of wages, benefits & commitments. SW & the Global Economy Social & Political forces have widened the distance between rich & poor people as well as rich & poor nations. Rich & poor people increasingly live in separate worlds “the rising tide does not lift all the boats anymore but only lifts the yachts of the rich.” SW & the Global Economy Falling real wages & job insecurity are lurking behind the host of social maladies that plague our societies, including family breakdown, welfare dependency & teen pregnancy Meanwhile, Gov’ts. Have given up plans to temper the negative effects of economic development. SW & the Global Economy Post WW II, European Gov’ts. Established generous social welfare programs. The Maastricht Treaty of 1991, helping to est. a single European currency, stressed the casting aside of generous social benefits and stressed the local level rather then the National level to solve social problems SW & the Global Economy Economic Interdependence 1. Long-term unemployment 2. Labor insecurity 3. Debt 4. Low incomes All are negatively impacting human welfare around the world SW & the Global Economy Economic Interdependence is demonstrated by: World trade, investments, currency regulations, aid, lending & the influence of multinational corporations. Multinationals blur the concept of domestic & foreign production SW & the Global Economy In an increasingly more competitive world….some countries grow or produce only 1 or 2 major commodities. This leaves them to vulnerable economically to world trade events. The global economy also means jobs can be shifted from one country to another with cheaper labor costs. SW & the Global Economy Economic Interdependence is also present when one or a few countries possess items or commodities that other countries desire or more pointedly NEED like…..oil for example. What happened in the oil crisis of the 1970’s & today? SW & the Global Economy Oil is the world’s most crucial & essential nonrenewable resource OPEC forms in reaction to political/military action to influence politics of the future SW & the Global Economy The need for poorer countries to purchase oil led to the international borrowing of money The economy of poorer nations cont’d. to fall & they were soon in debt Debt payments were often more than the GDP of the nation SW & the Global Economy The remedy for the debt crisis was a policy from the IMF and/or World Bank known as Structural Adjustment. SA demanded that gov’ts. Spend within their means, keep exchange rates competitive, let markets determine prices, diminish regulations & subsidy and privatize industries previously nationalized. SW & the Global Economy RESULTS of STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT: Gov’ts. Spend less on health & education Gov’ts. Remove subsidies on food & transportation Gov’ts. Devalue their own currencies Declining purchasing power for citizens SW & the Global Economy The “structurally adjusted world” led to: Increasing poverty Rising rates of infant mortality Reappearance of diseases thought to be eliminated Decreasing school enrollments SW & the Global Economy Security Interdependence…..what is this and how does it effect Social Work & the world?? SW & the Global Economy Social Welfare Interdependence: Migration….. 1. As of 1997, 100 million people are involuntarily living outside their country of origin 2. Most refugees have fled from developing nations to other developing nations SW & the Global Economy What is a “guest worker” & what impact are they having on migration? What are the current trends in immigration both legal and illegal? What is the definition of a multinational family & what unique problems does it create for social workers? SW & the Global Economy AIDS Its rapid spread indicates no country is an island! Global interdependence through trade, war & air travel spread the problem AIDS is now the world’s 4th leading killer disease SW & the Global Economy POVERTY….is now a global phenomenon. It is related to many if not all other social problems……migration, AIDS, drug use, street children, homelessness, child labor, family breakups, abuse, disease, malnutrition and other indirect social issues. SW & the Global Economy Status of Women: Women fare much worse in some countries than others Two-thirds of the world’s illiterates are female Girls have a low % of access to education Girls have poorer nutritional status SW & the Global Economy Women Cont’d.: Impacts of sex-selection abortion & infanticide Two million girls a year suffer female genital mutilation (FGM) Every 6th infant death in India is due to gender discrimination SW & the Global Economy Street Children….caused by globally sponsored poverty & worsening economic conditions Social Policy Emulation…. Policy of one country impacts the development of social policy in another…..Reagan’s retrenchment policy is duplicated by the World Bank SW & the Global Economy More countries are experiencing the unsettling paradox that the process of economic globalization has increased the prosperity of some but led to the growing numbers of unemployed & poor people. It is evident that the world economy increasingly affects social cohesion at the local level. SW & the Global Economy Social Work’s Role: developing local empowerment or areabased strategies for securing the welfare of citizens Developing ethically sound & well defined comparative research studies Transnational SW problem solving & information exchanges The UN & NGO’s International Social Welfare Organizations UN & NGO’s There is a wide range of international organizations working on projects such as: planning income generating projects to combat poverty continuing education 7 low cost education models encouraging rights for women & children UN & NGO’s International social welfare activities are provided by a myriad set of organizations Some domestic organizations also perform international social welfare functions in the areas of economics, health & agriculture. UN & NGO’s Three major groups of organizations are: 1. The intergovernmental agencies of the UN 2. Governmental agencies of individual countries 3. Private or nongovernmental (NGOs) agencies UN & NGOs Most international agencies are engaged in development or social development work, the enhancement of social welfare, the promotion of social & economic well-being & the sponsorship of professional exchanges UN & NGOs Most international social welfare organizations are involved in: 1. Development 2. Promotion of human rights UN & NGOs Economic development became a UN priority after WW II Difficulty in achieving it became obvious by the 1960s UN & NGOs Today we realize development is a complex intertwined process involving social, economic, and environmental factors Much of today’s assistance is being provided through multilateral aid-assistance by intergovernmental organizations as well as NGOs. UN & NGOs The UN & its agencies are also major players in international social welfare and the provision of multilateral assistance. UN & NGOs Remember the UN first began this role in the UN Relief & Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) near the end of WW II. UNRRA & its success provided the beginning of the evolution of the social development agenda of the UN UN & NGOs The third purpose in the charter of the UN (1945) legitimizes the many social welfare and social development efforts of the UN. It states…”the UN is to achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or human rights focus. UN & NGOs The UN currently has 185 member nations. A large amount of development work is carried out by specialized agencies including UNICEF, WHO & the UN Development Program (UNDP). UN & NGOs The Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC) of the UN reports to the General Assembly. Its purposes are to: Promote higher standards of living, full employment, conditions of social & economic development, solutions to international problems, observation of human rights & nondiscriminatory freedoms. UN & NGOs ECOSOC also utilizes Regional Commissions, Functional Commissions, & expert bodies. Every 4 years the Dep’t. of Economic & Social Development of the UN produces a major social welfare report entitled The Report on the World’s Social Situation (most recent report 2001) UN & NGOs The Centre for Social Development & Humanitarian Affairs (now located in New York) has been a focal point of social welfare activity serving as the organizing force behind the Interregional Consultation. Additionally a renewed focus in this area has led to a restructuring of the Centre. UN & NGOs UNICEF…The Un Children’s Fund has become a strong agency with a focus on development. Its goal is to improve the lives of children & youth in the developing world UN & NGOs UNICEF’s work in the area of child protection are of interest to social work. The agency has addressed issues of abuse and exploitation through its various initatives. UNICEF aides children affected by war, child labor sexual exploitation, AIDS & disability. UN & NGOs UNICEF has supported NGOs in their work on prevention, prevention & rehabilitation It also compiles statistics on the status of children to promote research and planning. UNICEF helped the UN adopt the Convention of the Rights of Children in 1989. UN & NGOs UNDP was created in 1965. It is now the largest source of multilateral grant assistance and provides a greater variety of services to more people in more countries than any other development institution. It is also the source of technical assistance grants. UN & NGOs 87% of UNDP grants go to the world’s poorest countries. Largest sector aided by UNDP is agriculture, followed by industrial development, transportation, communications, natural resources and about 25% its resources on education, population, health & human development. UN &NGOs In 1986, UNDP set up a Division for Women in Development. It administers the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) UN & NGOs UNIFEM is a special fund to support projects for low-income women in poor countries. Priorities are: poverty elimination, grassroots participation, environmental & natural resource management, management for development, women in development & technology transfer between developing nations. UN & NGOs World Health Organization (WHO) is another specialized agency of the UN. Goal is to encourage the best possible health for all. UN & NGOs WHO monitors international health issues, works to control communicable diseases, sets international health standards in areas of drugs & vaccines, conducts research, engages in efforts to solve health problems & attempts to strengthen national health systems. UN & NGOs WHO is now leading the campaign to control the spread of HIV. Africa with almost 50% of the total world cases of HIV infection & poorly developed health resources is a special priority. WHO is credited with eradicating small pox. UN & NGOs United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) is the largest source of funds for family planning related programs in developing countries. A recent focus has been on linking family planning & reproductive health with development goals as well as to provide services to refugees. UN & NGOs The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) established in 1951 provides protection, assistance, and aid to refugees in transit, voluntary repatriation where possible, resettlement & integration into countries of first asylum. UN & NGOs Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) & the World Food Program. The goal of these agencies is to work toward global food security. Global Information & Early Warning System identifies areas of risk of food shortage….it supplies 25% of the world’s food aid. UN & NGOs Special Years, Conferences, Declarations & Conventions The UN designates special years & decades & global conferences to draw attention to important issues & bring world leaders together to work on strategies to bring about change. UN & NGOs 1968..UN Conference of Ministers Responsible for Social Welfare 1987..Interregional Consultation on Developmental Social Welfare Policies & Programs…..this meeting resulted in adoption of guiding principles for developmental Social welfare policies in the near future. UN & NGOs 1995..two major social welfare events occurred…the World Summit on Social Development (Copenhagen) & the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing). Copenhagen put the needs of people at the center of development efforts UN & NGOs The World Summit addressed issues of achieving sustainable development with social justice, enhancing social integration, reducing poverty & expanding opportunities for productive employment. NGOs participated actively & also held an NGO Forum at the same location. UN & NGOs The Beijing Conference focused on a universal ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women by 2000. World Summit for Children in 1990…adopted goals to improve the lives of children. UN & NGOs 1992 UN Conference on Environment & Development (Rio de Janeiro) explored relationship between environmental preservation & sustainable development. 1993 World Conference on Human Rights & 1994 Conference on Population & Development. UN & NGOs The UN designates international years & decades to highlight issues & attempt to mobilize resources. For example: International Year of the Family 1994; International Year of Older Persons 1999. To recognize humanity’s demographic coming of age & the promise it holds. UN & NGOs UN Conventions usually result in policy documents. In 1989, the UN adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. To date all but 2 nations have ratified the convention (Somalia & the US). It focuses on identifying standards for survival, protection & development of children. UN & NGOs The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are not social welfare organizations but their work often has an impact on the social welfare services of a developing nation….some times for good & other times for bad! UN & NGOs The IMF provides technical assistance to countries on banking, balance payments, taxation, etc. The major goal of the World Bank is to provide loans to encourage economic development. It is a development organization…only developing countries can borrow from the World Bank UN & NGOs The IMF insists that nations with poor balances of payments & large debt adopt programs of “structural adjustment” in order to qualify for additional credit. Structural adjustment often leads to cutbacks in health, education & social services. UN & NGOs Governmental Agencies International social welfare functions of Gov’ts include foreign assistance, professional & educational exchanges & research UN & NGOs It must be remembered that international assistance serves many purposes for the donor nations & that humanitarianism is often not the major consideration…can you think of any examples?? Bilateral aid is an instrument of foreign policy UN & NGOs Fully half the $ the US allocates for multilateral aid is spent on US goods. US generosity in distributing food has benefited farm prices at home UN & NGOs Examples of Bilateral Aid Agencies: US Agency for International Development (USAID)..directs economic & humanitarian aid programs Focus of USAID in the 1990s has been to strengthen democracy & capitalism in countries of former Soviet Union. UN & NGOs Peace Corps est. in 1961 to develop international cultural exchange efforts. Volunteer programs that emphasize urban development, primary health care & comm. participation UN & NGOs Bilateral Aid is supplied by other countries such as: Japan, Nordic Countries and Canada Japan became the largest donor as early as 1989 Sweden, Finland, Norway & Denmark have the most pro-development progressive aid programs. UN & NGOs Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) strongly stresses cooperation with recipient countries to improve development UN & NGOs Government Agency Exchange Efforts In US DHHS the international affairs staff in the Office of Public Affairs of the Administration for Children & Families organizes US participation in intergovernmental meetings, administers bilateral programs & arranges visits for foreign visitors UN & NGOs The US Information Agency….under the Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs (where we received our Latvian Grant from!!)…has been responsible for administering educational & cultural international exchanges….as of 1999 USIA was abolished & its work assumed by the State Department. UN & NGOs Agencies dealing with Refugees: The best known is the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) which is within DHHS. The Dept. of Labor plays a role as well The Dept. of Agriculture shares responsibility for international food assistance programs. UN & NGOs Nongovernmental Organizations play a significant and expanding role in international social welfare UN & NGOs NGOs provide a wide range of functions: Relief & development Advocacy Education Exchange International networks & associations UN & NGOs Relief & Development Working in developing countries & poverty-stricken areas of industrialized nations Example is the International Red Cross, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, PLAN & the Christian Children’s Fund UN & NGOs Innovative work often in politically difficult climates is being done by the American Friends Service Committee, Oxfam & the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. Growing belief that development efforts must be self-sustaining & community oriented to be successful. UN & NGOs One of the best known NGOs is the Grameen Bank of Bangladesh. It is an organization that has developed microenterprise especially for women…..like the Green Belt Movement in Kenya…a women’s environmental movement in which 50,000 women have planted more then 10 million trees to stem soil erosion. UN & NGOs Advocacy: Most NGOs include advocacy as one of their functions…which is usually focused on development priorities & adequate funding for foreign assistance. Or advocacy focuses on the intergovernmental level through consultation with the UN. UN & NGOs Some NGOs are entirely devoted to advocacy particularly in the human rights area….like Amnesty International which documents abuses of human rights & sponsors campaigns to improve human rights treatment & prisoner release. UN & NGOs Development Education: NGOs which provide efforts to educate the public on conditions in the developing world & to motivate action on behalf of the world’s poor. Examples are the Save the Children NGO, Bread for the World & the American Forum. UN & NGOs Exchange Programs: used as a means for the transfer of knowledge & service models as well as bridging cultural barriers & increasing understanding. Examples: The Council of International Programs (CIP), World Learning formerly the Experiment in International Living) & the Fulbright Scholar Program. UN & NGOs Social & Youth Agencies With International Aspects: The Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, YWCA, the Salvation Army, & the Red Cross. These organizations have branches in many nations. UN & NGOs Agencies in Cross-National Social Work: Serving areas such as….international adoption, child custody problems, divorce and family problems involving citizens & laws of more than one country as well as sponsorship & resettlement of refugees. UN & NGOs Examples are: International Social Services located in Geneva with branches in 16 countries. The agency maintains a document center on migration, refugees, family law & children’s rights. Holt International Children’s Services focuses on adoption issues. UN & NGOs In summary: basic needs issues continue to exist like food, shelter, primary health care, & primary education. Ensuring respect for the rights of children, women, the disabled & minorities remain a challenge. At the same time governments are moving away from social welfare. UN & NGOs In order to move forward organizations involved in international social welfare must assess both their success & failures. And there have been millions of small social development successes in terms of individual lives changed & villages revitalized…but more needs to be done!! HUMAN RIGHTS Social Work & the UN Conventions Human Rights Social work is a human rights profession Human rights serves as a statement of social work values They are also a source of policy guidelines Human rights are therefore a core concept for global dialogue Human Rights The Universal Declaration of Human Rights develops 4 categories: 1. Human dignity 2. Respect for civil & political rights 3. Economic rights (food, education, health care) 4. Peace, justice & clean environment Human Rights Clearly the 4 categories of rights can only be achieved by international cooperation. They involve social work’s agenda in working for economic security, as well as social participation for all & equality for special populations. Human Rights The human rights orientation of the profession assists social workers in focusing on social justice rather than individual pathology…..at both the micro and macro levels of practice Social work practice should be based upon the promotion of rights. Human Rights The human rights model bridges the gap between individual interventions and advocacy/social change Client focused services can assist clients in need while also documenting the need to influence legislatures, funders as well as impacting public opinion. Human Rights The profession’s focus on human rights shapes its conviction that the fundamental nature of these needs requires that they be met not as a matter of choice but as an imperative of basic justice. Social workers must uphold the rights of their individual & collective clients. Human Rights Social work must be concerned about the protection of individual & group differences. Human rights are inseparable from social work theory, values, ethics & practice. Advocacy of such rights must be an essential part of social work even under oppressive governments. Human Rights UN definition: Human rights are rights which are inherent in our nature…including fundamental freedoms to allow us to develop fully & use our human qualities. Denial of these rights creates conditions of social & political unrest often leading to violence within or between people. Human Rights The historical development of current human rights is traced to the 18th century & the American Declaration of Independence as well as the French Declaration of the Rights of Man. The demand for civil & political rights have joined today with the demand for economic, social & cultural rights. Human Rights Both World Wars helped us realize the interdependence of humankind. WWII led countries to adopt a new framework for international cooperation. Norms of international behavior needed to be stated as rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has progressed since 1948. Human Rights Values behind Human Rights: 1. Life 2. Freedom & liberty 3. Equality & non-discrimination 4. Justice 5. Solidarity 6.Social Responsibility Human Rights 7. Peace & non-violence 8. Relations between humankind & nature ….sometimes called biodiversity. These values are the underpinnings of social workers & schools of social work worldwide! Human Rights International Covenants on Human Rights produced the following elements: the right to life, liberty & security the right not to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment the prohibition of slavery Human Rights The right not to be arbitrarily detained the rights to freedom of expression, religion, assembly & association the right to freedom of movement & residence the right to vote the right to a fair trial Human Rights The rights of minorities to protection the right to work the right to social security the right to protection of the family the right to an adequate standard of living the right to education Human Rights The right to health the right to join trade unions After WWII the international community began to accept its obligation to establish guarantees for human rights affording protection to people. Human Rights Various dilemmas will face social workers as they practice in an environment that emphasizes human rights. Students via the web should dialogue on how they would handle the following practice situations…….. Human Rights Case # 1: You believe that people have a right to work; but the only cash crop in the area where you are a social worker is a narcotic drug; I.e. the basis of illegal & harmful traffic, when exported What do you advise if there is a restriction on growing this substance? Human Rights Case # 2: Your Government has to service a large international debt & chooses to cut expenditure on social services, including the services you are working with for disadvantaged people. How do you respond to this? Human Rights Case # 3: As a social worker in a clinic you are aware of traditional practices of mutilating the sexual organs of young girls. A woman seeks advice on behalf of her younger sister, who fears that she will be mutilated in this way. How do you respond? Human Rights Case #4: You are a social worker in a city project for street children, many of whom have been abandoned. The police say they are being directed to take action against these children What do you say to the police & to the children?…..what do you do in other ways? Human Rights Case #5: As a social worker for a church-based NGO you are approached for advise by an elderly widow who is being urged to go live in an institution for elderly people. She wants to know what it is like to be there What details do you find out to give her particularly about her rights? Human Rights Case #6: A development project proposes to bring irrigation & hydroelectric power to a rural area. This will benefit many farmers & other people but, by submerging existing villages, it will displace many economically & socially disadvantaged persons. In response to criticism from Human Rights Social Activists the Government claims that the project will raise many people’s living standards & help modernization. You perceive that this will be at the cost of the village communities. As a social worker working in the villages what do you try to do? Human Rights Two particular areas in which social work & human rights policies intersect are in guarantees of equality & nondiscrimination as well as in economic & social rights. A remaining challenge is to secure global recognition of human rights for sexual minorities. Human Rights With social work’s special knowledge of human behavior & ethical codes requiring antidiscrimination, the profession can provide leadership in overcoming the barriers to effective policies that embrace a human rights perspective Human Rights Nations have different records on human rights however no nation is without problems in first-and secondgeneration rights For example even the US permits the execution of offenders for crimes committed when they were minors. Multicultural Understanding Education for cross-cultural practice Multicultural Understanding Little attention has been given to the needs of international and American social workers who are preparing for direct practice outside the USA. American social work education has focused almost exclusively on practice with ethnic & minority groups in America. Multicultural Understanding Yet there is a growing number of social workers who will be practicing outside the USA. Garland & Escobar make the point that preparation for cross-cultural practice differs significantly from practice with American ethnic & minority groups. Multicultural Understanding A social worker in a cross-cultural setting needs to assess the match between a client’s life patterns & normative patterns in that culture. Remember, in cross-cultural practice, the social worker not the client usually is the one attempting to adjust to the cultural setting. Multicultural Understanding Social workers cannot expect clients to translate their troubles to fit the expertise & practice models they learned in graduate school. Effective practice requires social workers to understand cultural differences & the effect of their own culture on factors such as perception, assessment, & values. Multicultural Understanding Further, effective cross-cultural practice requires not only an understanding of one’s home culture but also a shift in the social worker’s cultural identity to what scholars call “ethnorelativism” or “multiculturalism”. Multicultural Understanding The identifications & loyalties of multicultural persons transcend national boundaries. They view the world as a global community. Social workers can feel as though they live on the fringe of two cultures, belonging to neither. Multicultural Understanding Although practice models are lacking, practice in cross-cultural settings can follow one of two directions. They can identify culturally specific principles related to one particular culture… Or they can describe culturally general principles that apply in many cultural settings. Multicultural Understanding Given its complexity it follows that cross-cultural practice content has tended to focus on specific models of practice within one other culture and has stayed away from developing more generalized models of international practice. (To date!) Multicultural Understanding Some progress has been made in this universal model given the research conducted to identify the common functions & purposes of family life. Multicultural Understanding The development of cross-cultural social work practice models needs to begin with identifying common processes of helping across cultural contexts. It cannot begin with describing how American models can be adapted to other cultural contexts…professional imperialism! Multicultural Understanding We need to understand that ideas about the nature of persons & personality are culturally defined. Most Western models naively imply that they are applicable to all populations, situations & problems. There may not be a universal agreement about the desirable outcome of helping. Multicultural Understanding In Taiwan: Interaction occurs between helper & patient Healer interprets the cause of the problem Healer prescribes something the client does. Multicultural Understanding Cross-cultural social work practice must provide a general conceptual framework for organizing an overwhelming amount of information about culture’s & cultural differences. Using a framework can permit the development of hypotheses about practice in that specific culture. Multicultural Understanding Developing the framework requires the social worker to know the dominate “world-view” in the host culture & how problems of life are interpreted within that view. Also, subcultural groups, which appear in each culture, may vary in significant ways in their systems of values & beliefs. Multicultural Understanding Social workers need to explore how they will be seen as representatives of their home culture in the cross-cultural context. For example, white social workers practicing in Zimbabwe need to really understand the cross-cultural history between African & American cultures. Multicultural Understanding Every culture has a variety of patterns & processes for helping persons with problems & for making changes in persons, relationships & social systems. These systems can involve formal & informal helpers in the society. Multicultural Understanding Different cultural groups have different ways of expressing emotional distress, but also different cultural groups may use similar symptoms as expressions of quite different processes. The social worker needs to identify accepted processes of change in the culture. Multicultural Understanding For success, an attitude of mutual learning & sharing needs to replace the assumption that majority American culture provides the expertise while other cultures provide the practice context. Workers must be more aware of their own culture’s worldview, values & helping processes. Multicultural Understanding The effective cross-cultural social worker must understand not only a culture’s definitions of problems & the subsequent content of helping attempts but also the process of helping. Multicultural Understanding In Eskimo treatment sessions: confession plays a central role and the interaction between the patient, Shaman and members of the community are key in facilitating this process. Multicultural Understanding Learning about cross-cultural practice involves learning about how change can be introduced. Additionally, one must understand the amount of variance and change within the culture itself. Heterogeneous cultures have more difficulty undergoing rapid changes. Multicultural Understanding Simply teaching about distinct ethnocultural groups is not enough since it runs the risk of developing & reinforcing stereotypes. Yet social workers must have knowledge about specific cultures. It requires a difficult balance to not overemphasize cultural differences. Multicultural Understanding Persons employed in cross-cultural settings are usually prepared for the personal adjustments by employer training programs or other forms of consultation/assistance. A key to success is raising consciousness of one’s own culture, identification of functional equivalents across cultures in developmental & interpersonal issues. Multicultural Understanding We must recognize our own biases…usually at the most difficult time…when we are first entering the new society & most overwhelmed by adjustment issues. “Strangeness brings about anxiety & anxiety often leads to stereotyping. Need to develop your consciousness of your own culture. Multicultural Understanding Being effective requires understanding of functional equivalents referring to different behaviors that carry the same meanings in different cultural contexts. Process of adaptation involves learning new cues of the new culture & functional equivalents in the home culture. Multicultural Understanding Language is the key to helping professionals learn functional equivalents as well as cultural variations. Studying a language presents insights into the culture that uses the language. Ideally, intermediate fluency is necessary! Multicultural Understanding Theories of psychological & interpersonal processes often are culturally relative. Stages of individual psychosocial development, normal grief processes, & group development are culturally influenced. Remember…the importance of becoming bicultural. Multicultural Understanding VALUES--present one of the most challenging areas of content for crosscultural practice. They differ across cultures & professional social work values vary internationally. Example value difference of the individual vs. the community or clan. Multicultural Understanding To be effective one must create cultural distance from one’s own experiences, so that values & attitudes that have worked before are no longer adequate. Multicultural Understanding Knowing one’s own personal biases, values & interests (which are a product of our culture), as well as one’s own culture will greatly enhance your sensitivity toward other cultures. The following questions can serve as a reference point: Multicultural Understanding 1. What is my cultural heritage? What was the culture of my parents & grandparents? With what cultural group(s) do I identify? 2. What is the cultural relevance of my name? 3. What values, beliefs, opinions, & attitudes do I hold consistent with the dominate culture? Multicultural Understanding Cont’d. Which are inconsistent? How did I learn these? 4. How did I decide to become a social worker? What cultural standards were involved in the process? 5. What unique abilities, aspirations & limitations do I have that might influence relations in a different culture? Multicultural Understanding The culturally sensitive individual must be cognizant of world events & how members of various cultures translate those events into personal meaning. Knowledge of the culture in a client’s country of origin provides the helper with a more complete picture of that client’s worldview. Multicultural Understanding Culture can be defined as: all behavior patterns socially acquired & socially transmitted by means of symbols….including customs, techniques, beliefs, institutions, & material objects. The primary mode of transmission of culture is language. People learn, experience & share their traditions & customs. Multicultural Understanding Williams identified cultural themes: 1. Achievement & success 2. Activity & work 3. Humanitarian mores 4. Moral orientation 5. Efficiency & practicality 6. Progress Williams themes cont’d. 7. Material comfort 8. Equality 9. Freedom 10. External conformity 11. Science & secular rationality 12. Nationalism-patriotism 13. Democracy Williams themes cont’d. 14. Individual personality 15. Racism & related group superiority We need to know how that culture defines a psychologically healthy individual, reinforces the family & defines the concept of community in terms of size & who is included in it. Multicultural Understanding There are many elements of culture to examine: sociopolitical factors, the culture’s history of oppression, poverty & racism within the culture, influence of language, arts & religion, child-rearing practices, family role & structure, values & attitudes, & the degree of opposition to acculturation. Multicultural Understanding Principles: The members of any given cultural group are not all alike. We must understand & have empathy for those events from the past that have impact on the present. Learn the dominate language. Multicultural Understanding Significant attention should be given to nonverbal communication. Remember research indicates that in any given message 7% is given verbally, 38% is vocal & 55% is facial. We must learn & appreciate the nonverbal communication within the cultural context. Multicultural Understanding Remember the importance of clarifying the definition of normality within the cultural group, the place of the individual within the system, how independence is treated within the culture, the place of support in the culture, & the meaning of personal change. Multicultural Understanding Without increased cultural understanding we can only anticipate an increase in conflict & wars in the world. Currently, some wars have lasted for more than 30 years Multicultural Misunderstanding No fewer than 160 violent & potentially violent domestic & international conflicts confront humankind around the world. Post-Cold War world has a variety of security problems. Multicultural Understanding Ethnic nationalism has been a critical factor in increasing regional & global conflicts. Political mobilization takes place around ethnic markers and in some countries political parties are nothing more than ethnic parties. Multicultural Understanding Recent technological advances in warfare have significantly heightened its dangers & devastating effect for humankind. Multicultural Understanding Most of the casualties in wartime have not been injured by bombs, mines or bullets but have died as a result of starvation and/or sickness. Multicultural Understanding One of the saddest & most distressing realities is that most wars have been fought in those countries that can least afford them. Manipulation of food supplies has been a tactic of warfare. Even water can be a weapon of destruction. Multicultural Understanding UNDP has estimated that redirecting just 1/4 of military expenditures in developing countries could provide additional resources to implement most of a program aimed at primary health care for the entire population, immunization for all children, elimination of malnutrition, safe drinking water, universal primary education, etc. Multicultural Understanding Between 1945 & 1988 the UN has initiated 13 peacekeeping operations. From 1988 to 1994, 22 new peacekeeping operations were approved. Preventive diplomacy is an evolving concept. This policy led to creation of UN Prevention Deployment Force (UNPREDEP). Multicultural Understanding Preventive action can be used where there is an emergency conflict, with the primary objective of deterring the escalation of that situation into armed conflict. Social work is ideally suited to work in the emergency relief & rehabilitation programs needed in early & midcrisis phases of ethnic conflict. Multicultural Understanding Specialized skills are needed for monitoring & reporting human rights violations as well as reporting humanitarian concerns. Social workers need to contribute to the planning and implementation of preventive action & peace-building programs. They should also help to develop Early Warning Models to forecast disasters. Multicultural Understanding Social workers need an orientation to the UN system, international relations, international regimes, declarations, conventions, standards & rights. Work with the media is a capability that must be acquired as well. Multicultural Understanding No part of the planet remains in isolation. Peace is everybody’s concern. Social workers who stand for human dignity, freedom, & social justice, have a professional obligation to contribute to global security and international cooperation.