Resumen
Since 2015, social workers have been at the forefront of the so-called “refugee crisis”, grappling with complexities stemming from neoliberal, anti-migration policies, and racism. This context resulted in systematic refugee rights violations. Amid challenges, instances of resistance, advocacy, and activism in social work (SW) on migration have emerged.\\ This study examines macro-level SW advocacy, exploring the interplay between SW and social movements (SM) in safeguarding refugee rights within Greece. Eleven semi-instructed interviews were conducted with frontline social workers (mean working experience: 7years) engaged in refugee support across public and NGO sectors. Interview- duration ranged from 50 minutes-1.15 hours. Participants were retrieved through SW networks and snowball method. Thematic analysis was applied to identify common themes in the data. Main themes emerged: 1) advocacy in SW, 2) role of SW within the movements 3) policy change and activism.\\ \\ Participants positioned advocacy at the heart of SW, dedicated to social justice. The study substantiated the emergence of policy and cause advocacy as a response to the notable absence of policies and services for refugees (incl. refugees experiencing mental health treatment, unaccompanied minors, etc.). Findings indicate that collective activism, mobilization and sociopolitical action, encompassing alliances with service users, grassroots collectives, and movements are inherent in advocacy in SW.Empirical evidence underscored a mutually beneficial SW-SM interplay, where SM served as spaces for service users to assert rights through equitable grassroots efforts, fostering a symbiotic alliance. Social workers acted as mediators and informants, solidifying SW's crucial contribution to the movements and knowledge exchange.Conclusively, this presentation encompasses macro advocacy initiatives, strategies and outcomes along with refugees' representation and engagement. This study illuminates an alternative, politicized paradigm within SW, accentuating mobilization and solidarity. Insights hold significance for practitioners, empowering them to address structural challenges and support marginalized communities, advancing social justice and transformative agendas.\\ \\ \\
Palabras Clave (separar con comas)
Social work with refugees, macro-advocacy, social movements and social work, human rights