Summary

Social work is a dynamic profession that requires the ability to adapt to complex and diverse circumstances. Its effectiveness is not only determined by its underlying principles and values but also by its application in different contexts. With changing societal, familial, and individual needs, social work must rethink its core knowledge and skills to better respond to these changes. This is why many higher education institutions offering social work programs are now internationalizing their curricula to integrate responsive, transformational, and socially just frameworks. The need for international social work as a specialized field that promotes comparative measures to address contemporary social problems is increasing. This paper reports on the learning from the online workshops held in March and June 2022, and February 2023 with over 500 social work attendees from over 18 countries. The workshops were supported by the European Association of Schools of Social Work and the University of Greenwich, London, UK. The aim of the workshops has been to facilitate an international dialogue about the need for international social work in social work education and research, and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. This paper highlights the need and demand for international social work and examines how these specialized skills can be integrated into social work curricula and training. By doing so, social work can move towards more sustainable futures and better respond to the changing needs of society. International social work involves applying social work knowledge and skills across different countries, cultures, and contexts. It requires an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in different regions and an appreciation of diverse perspectives. This specialized field aims to promote social justice, human rights, and equality while addressing the unique needs of individuals, families, and communities. 

Keywords (separate with commas)

glocal, international social work, policy practice, advocacy, human rights 

Summary

Thousands of Indigenous women are missing or murdered, constituting an international human rights crisis of gender-based, racialized violence. This crisis is perpetuated by indifference to the humanity of Indigenous women and inadequate law enforcement responses.\  Colonial values of heteronormative patriarchy and structures that create risks including marginalization, poverty, and racism, make Indigenous women particularly vulnerable to violence. Disproportionate policing, mental health challenges, and addiction further heighten vulnerabilities. “Man camps” that house workers for extractive industries near Indigenous territories are frequent sites of rape, violence, and sex trafficking where Indigenous women are targeted due to a belief that perpetrators will not be prosecuted. Intergenerational trauma is compounded by losing a mother, sister, or daughter, accompanied by dismissive, victim-blaming attitudes prevalent in settler societies. A strong activist movement is responding to this crisis, particularly in Canada. There, Indigenous communities, women’s associations, and human rights groups demanded an inquiry for years before Amnesty International issued a 2004 report calling for action. In 2012, the hashtag #MMIW was created with later versions expanding to include other Indigenous people. Only in 2021 did the US establish an awareness day and unit within the federal government. Most other nations have yet to respond. \ Devaluation, exploitation, violence, and murder of Indigenous women knows no borders. Unfortunately, social work as a profession has been largely absent from this movement. The Indigenous Commission of IFSW has called for action. Social workers must raise awareness and challenge societal conditions that perpetuate vulnerabilities experienced by Indigenous women. We are equipped to confront injustice and facilitate societal change, becoming stronger when we participate in joint social action. This presentation will provide information on the magnitude of the problem, describe how colonization has created vulnerabilities that enable violence, and how social workers can become informed and engaged in joint social action.

Keywords (separate with commas)

Indigenous, MMIW, women, violence

Summary

The relationship between conscientization, consciousness, and advocacy is a sine qua non condition in all social movements (Deveaux, 2018; Diemer \\& Rapa, 2016; Freire, 1970; Glassman \\& Erdem, 2014). To critically understand the structuration of systemic injustices and power dynamics in motion, conscientization can drive a deeper and more informed consciousness that serves as a foundation for meaningful advocacy efforts. This process must empower communities as a catalyst for societal change that aligns with the principles of equity and social justice. Therefore, developing communities requires transformative influences that are both ontological and praxeological (Jost \\& Kay, 2010; Pascal \\& Bertram, 2012). Knowing that Haiti’s past and current conditions are marked by a legacy of resilience and resistance against oppression and adversity (Dupuy, 2005; Ferrer, 2012; Hammer \\& White, 2019), this project, grounded in cultural-historical-activity theory (CHAT), illuminates how communities in Haiti harness the power of consciousness-raising in social movements, activism, and advocacy to understand and challenge enduring social problems. In that respect, the presenter will begin by discussing the historical productions of collective consciousness in Haiti (i.e., foundations and phases). Second, the presenter will examine the core components of praxeological consciousness as a theoretical construct. Third, the presenter will explore the role of praxeological consciousness as a driving force in (re)defining the pathways to community development. Lastly, the presenter will outline the implications of historical formations of praxeological consciousness for research and practice for the Haitian communities and other related global spaces.

Keywords (separate with commas)

Praxeological Consciousness, Theory, Advocacy, Haiti

Summary

This paper explores the role of national social work academic associations in the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) and provides reflections from the Association of South African Social Work Education Institutions (ASASWEI).\ The constitution of IASSW states that its mission is “to represent and promote social work education around the globe in partnership with national, regional and international associations”. In the case of national representation, the IASSW constitution gives voting rights to “one member nominated by each national association that is, in principle, inclusive of all schools in the country and has at least five school members of IASSW”.\ In South Africa, the constitution of ASASWEI stipulates that “the Association will be managed by an Executive Committee which shall comprise a President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer and a person elected to represent the Association on the IASSW”. It is critical to note that the IASSW representative is not the national association’s president or vice president (who serves for only two years). In South Africa one of the Committee members is elected to specifically represent ASASWEI on the IASSW Board for a minimum four-year term. Herein lies one of the keys to the disproportionally high level of historical involvement and service of South Africans. Many of the other IASSW Board Members are simultaneously also the presidents of their own national or regional organisations and some may only be in this position for a two-year term. Since ASASWEI’s formation in 1938, South Africans have been actively involved in the IASSW committees providing leadership in global activities such as the development of Global Standards for Social Work Education; the Social Work Definition, the Global Agenda, and the Global Census) and many others.\ A model of bulk membership that can encourage greater IASSW representation and involvement by academic associations will be discussed.

Keywords (separate with commas)

National Associations, South Africa, IASSW, ASASWEI, Global Social Work Education