Written by a leading social work academic whose work is internationally renowned, this book confronts contemporary challenges facing social workers in relation to globalization and the rise of international global problems.

International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World is a comprehensive introduction that places social work history, practice, policy, and education within an international perspective.

This text offers a comprehensive overview of the key aspects of globalisation, their impact on social work and the resulting challenges in practice. The authors draw on post-colonialism to consider the global issues facing social work, such as mass migration, and the ways in which social workers can respond to such difficulties.

This engaging and timely volume contributes new knowledge to the rapidly emerging field of globalisation and social work. The volume brings together cutting-edge interdisciplinary scholarship from countries such as Australia, Finland, Japan, South Africa, the Philippines and Sweden. It proposes ‘glocalisation’ as a useful concept for re-framing conditions, methodologies and practices for social work in a world perspective. Part I of the volume, 'The Glocalisation of Social Issues', deals with major environmental, social and cultural issues – migration and human rights, environmental problems and gendered violence. Part II, 'Methodological Re-Shaping and Spatial Transgression in Glocalised Social Work', develops an epistemology of situated knowledge and methodologies inspired by art, creative writing and cultural geography, focusing on physical, material and emotional spatial dimensions of relevance to social work. Part III, 'Responses from Social Work as a Glocalised Profession', examines how social work has responded to specific social problems, crises and vulnerabilities in a glocalised world.

Today's news media is full of references to 'globalization' - a buzz word that is quickly becoming ubiquitous. But what exactly is globalization? What are its main driving forces? Does it truly embrace all aspects of our lives, from economics to cultural developments? A Globalizing World? examines these and other key questions in a highly accessible fashion, offering a clear and intelligent guide to the big ideas and debates of our time. In doing so, it does not take one particular stance for or against globalizaton; rather, it examines the arguments and evidence about its nature, form and impact. After introducing the main theoretical positions of those who have studied the subject, key chapters look at the changing form of modern communication and cultural industries, trade patterns and financial flows of the world economy, and whether or not the 'new political world order' is qualitatively different from the old state system. This is essential reading for all students of politics, economics and international relations.

This is a book about what it is to work in social work today. This new edition tells new stories about social workers from both the UK and around the world, describing what brought them into social work and what has kept them in it since.

"This book will explore practical and political ways in which social work practice has been updated and reconstructed both in its relational approach to the work with its clients and in contexts which differ greatly from those customary focus occupied by mainstream human service organisations and government agencies covering the welfare and other relevant areas of program delivery"--

Social Work in a Global Context engages with, and critically explores, key issues that inform social work practice around the world. Social work can take many forms, and is differently understood in different parts of the world. However, at base, it can be seen as a profession which strives to advance the causes of the vulnerable and marginalised with the aim of promoting social justice, equality, and human rights. This text provides examples of social work in a wide range of countries, informing our understanding of what social work is. It looks at how practice changes or stays the same, and at the impact of policy, as experienced by service users as well as by practitioners working in challenging circumstances. It also meaningfully reflects on the strengths and challenges that are enabled by diversity. Divided into four parts, this wide-ranging text discusses: - what social work means in four different countries -some examples of the impact social and political context can have on social work practice - how social workers see and work with the vulnerable - the future for social work, from disaster work to involving service users. Social Work in a Global Context is the first truly international book for all those interested in comparative and cross-cultural understandings of social work.

The world is now a global village, yet cultural diversity is at the forefront of social work practice within and across countries. Professional social workers in different countries increasingly have to relate to a multicultural society, and to develop culturally relevant and appropriate practices with individuals and families, groups and communities. In addition, social workers have to work across different national boundaries or with issues which emanate from forces both within and beyond the countries they are from. Social work education therefore has to be able to prepare graduates to work in varying cultural and socio-economic contexts. In two parts, Cross-Cultural Social Work: Local and global addresses contemporary issues that are at the forefront of community care and development. Part 1 discusses theories and perspectives for culturally appropriate practice, education and research, whilst part 2 contains approaches to working with culturally diverse groups and practice areas. Issues addressed in these parts include: Part 1 Culture in social work, cultural competence, whiteness in social work, biculturalism, working with diversity, and culturally based methods of inquiry. Part 2 Marginalised indigenous communities, social and economic barriers, new and emerging communities, end-of-life issues, international adoption, and culturally diverse aged care. Combining theoretical discussions and practical knowledge building materials Cross-Cultural Social Work facilitates the development of cultural competence among social work students, educators, practitioners and researchers. The book engages readers to critically reflect on cultural underpinnings of dominant social work theories and methods, and to challenge the way we think about culture and cross-cultural practice. Key Features • A collection of works from contributors from different practice settings and different countries which facilitates the development of 'cultural competence' among social work students and educators, practitioners and researchers • Reflects the stipulations of professional accreditation bodies, such as the Australian Association of Social Workers, to include cross-cultural practice as well as standards of practice with minority communities in curriculum content • Combines theoretical discussions and practical knowledge building materials to aid in understanding theories in practice and prepare graduates to work in varying cultural and socio-economic contexts.

Globalization has become a seemingly unstoppable force over recent decades and, in its wake, global notions of social justice have developed in response to its negative aspects. Neo-liberal economic policies have been a key element in the wider process of globalization, and these policies have had a profound impact on welfare provision and the shape of social work practice. Arising dissatisfaction among users of welfare and social work services is fuelling the search for a new, more radical social work that is firmly rooted in principles of social justice. Globalisation, Global Justice and Social Work explores the global effects of neo-liberal policies on welfare services in different countries, with contributions from social work academics, practitioners and welfare activists around the world. The first section of the book presents case studies of impact of neo-liberalism on welfare systems, social service provision and the practice of social work. In the second section the chapters explore the relationship between social work practice and the struggle for social justice. Authors discuss the personal and political dilemmas they have had to address in seeking to link a personal commitment to social justice with their daily practice as workers and educators in social work. The final section assesses the prospects for social work practice based on notions of social justice, by looking at what can be learned from the experience of previous radical movements as well as from emergent global and local movements.