International Social Work
Issues, Strategies, and Programs

Second Edition

David Cox - La Trobe University, Australia
Manohar Pawar - Charles Sturt University, Australia

Other Titles in:
Global Social Policy | International Studies | Multicultural Social Work

January 2013 | 640 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

International Social Work: Issues, Strategies, and Programs, Second Edition draws together the practice wisdom emerging within the broad scope of international social work practice and its role in contributing to the international community's efforts in combating the major global social problems of poverty, conflict and postconflict reconstruction, the development of countries and disadvantaged populations, migration and displacement, and the needs of specific populations such as child soldiers and AIDS orphans. Utilizing an integrated perspectives approach incorporating global, human rights, ecological and social development perspectives, the International Social Work, 2e is designed to prepare social workers, human services professionals, development practitioners who desire to play significant roles in responding to modern global challenges that are critical to the well-being of people, communities, nations and ultimately of us all.

Introduction

Acknowledgments

1. International Social Work

Social Work

The Global Spread and Organization of Social Work

International Social Work

Conclusion

2. The Integrated-perspectives Approach to International Social Work

The Global Perspective

The Human Rights Perspective

The Ecological Perspective

The Social Development Perspective

The Integrated-perspectives Approach as a Whole

The Integrated-perspectives Approach and Existing Social Work Theories

The Application of the Integrated-perspectives Approach to International Social Work

Conclusion

3. The Global Context of International Social Work

Introduction

The Global Social Problems Context

The Organizational Context

The Ideological Context

The Emerging Policy Context: The Emergence of Global Social and Economic Policy and of International Law, and the Significance of These for International Social Work Practice

Conclusion

4. Basic Programs and Strategies for International Social Work

Introduction

Empowerment

Capacity Building

Self-help and Self-reliance

Enhancing Social Integration or Social Cohesion

Income-generation

Community Development

Conclusion

5. The Field of Development: Background and Issues

Global Development Since 1945: The Various Paths to Development

Local-level Development

Conclusion

6. The Field of Development: Programs and Strategies

Local-level Development

Goals and Strategies Pertaining to Local-level Development

Key Strategies and Programs Appropriate to Local-level Development

The Place for Integrated Comprehensive Programs

Conclusion

7. The Field of Poverty: Background and Issues

Perspectives on Poverty: The Integrated-Perspectives Approach and Poverty

Global Poverty: Current Dimensions and Trends

Global Poverty: The Various Types or Facets of Poverty

Globalization and Poverty

The Poverty of the United Nations’ List of Least Developed Countries

Globally Induced Poverty

Poverty and the Development Process

Subsistence Poverty

Rural Poverty

Urban Poverty

Poverty and Specific Population Categories

Consequential Poverty

Definitions and Forms of Poverty

Conclusion

8. The Field of Poverty: Programs and Strategies

Poverty Alleviation in Context

A Model of Poverty Alleviation for International Social Work

Poverty Alleviation Programs and Strategies Used in International Social Work

Conclusion

9. The Field of Conflict and Post-conflict Reconstruction: Background and Issues

The Integrated-perspectives Approach and Conflict and Peace Issues

The Extent and Nature of Modern Conflict

The Role of the United Nations

The Role of Global Civil Society

The Postconflict Response

The Postconflict Situation and the Postconflict Reconstruction Agenda

The Humanitarian Aid Debate

Conclusion

10. The Field of Conflict and Postconflict Reconstruction: Programs and Strategies

Implementing the Comprehensive Postconflict Agenda

Some Key Areas of International Social Work in the Postconflict Situation

Delivering Psychosocial Programs

Rebuilding Communities

Securing and Maintaining Peace and Promoting Reconciliation

Conclusion

11. The Field of Migration and Labor Migration: Background and Issues

The Integrated Perspectives Approach to Migration

Global Migration

Labor Market Migration

Migrant Workers

Irregular Workers

Trafficked Persons

Conclusion

12. The Field of Displacement and Forced Migration: Background and Issues

Forced Migration: The Presenting Situation and Its Background

The Nature of Forced Migration in the Contemporary World

Forced Migration Movements and Numbers in Recent Times

A Critical Analysis of the Forced Migration Situation

Specific Aspects of International Social Work’s Involvement in Forced Migration Situations

Conclusion

13. The Field of Migration: Programs and Strategies

Labor Migration

Displacement and Forced Migration

A General Overview of Social Work Programs in Forced Migration Situations

Some Specific Programs and Strategies for Responding to Various Forced Migration Situations

Humanitarian Aid and Its Distribution

Programs Humanizing Existing Conditions

Trauma Counseling Programs

Support Programs

Social and Recreational Programs

Children’s Education and Psychosocial Programs

Services for Refugee Women

Family Reunion Programs

Repatriation Programs

Integration Programs

Human Rights Programs

Legal Programs

Community Development Programs

Conclusion

14. International Social Work With Specific Populations

Street Children

Child Laborers

Orphans and the HIV/AIDS Crisis

Child Soldiers

Youth in Developing Countries

Elderly Persons in Developing Countries

Persons with Disability in Developing Countries

Conclusion

15. International Organizations – Roles for Social Workers and Preparation of Social Workers for International Social Work

International Organizations

Roles for Social Workers in International Organizations

Preparation of Social Workers for International Social Work Practice

Conclusion

16. Challenges for International Social Work for the Twenty-first Century

The Way Ahead for International Social Work: Where Should International Social Work Be Heading in the Twenty-first Century?

Changes Required to Social Work Education

Changes Required to Social Work Practice

Careers in International Social Work: Social Work

Graduates’ Response to International Social Work

The Global Organization of Social Work

Conclusion

Appendix A: International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW)

Appendix B: Acronyms

Appendix C: Useful Websites

References

Index

About the Authors

It was the most appropriate textbook I was able to find for teaching an undergraduate course I developed on International Human Services at Elon University. I'll be using it again in fall 2015 because my students found it useful.

Dr Carmen Monico

Human Services Dept, Elon University

drupal

A very good book for students considering international work, also for MA students moving into other sectors.

Dr Kim Robinson

Social Work (Medway), University of Kent

drupal

This book is essential reading for our final year students during their Social Work and Globalisation module.

Dr Trevor Rodgers-Gray

Teaching, Health and Care, Bradford College

drupal

I would highly recommend this book to any practitioner and academic who is interested in the different ways that social work is practised world wide, as the authors have provided an extensive and informative perspective on social work and the political climates that operate in different parts of the worlds.
\
Forced migration and program strategies illustrate the difficulties that ordinarily in the west are taken for granted and how social work practitioners have to be able to understand and work within the politics of the majority and contend with trying to advocate for the minority that is not easily attainable within a neutral position.

Mr Robert Bielby

faculty of health and social care sciences, Kingston University

drupal

This is an absolute for any student on MA social work course - it provides policy and legal frameworks as well as critical debate.

Mrs Toni Benaton

Britannia Mill Campus, Derby University

drupal

Currently using as a supplement for my SW222/policy course.

Ms Dorisa Slaughter

Humanities, West Kentucky Cmty/Tech Clg

drupal

Broad ranging text which provides a very useful resouce on key issues and stratagems for students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Ms Roma Thomas

Health & Social Sciences, Educ. Ctr., Bedfordshire Univ.

drupal

This is an absolute for any student on MA social work course - it provides policy and legal frameworks as well as critical debate.

Mrs Toni Benaton

Britannia Mill Campus, Derby University

June 5, 2019

Report this review

A comprehensive guide to the international social work that includes a variety of useful case examples.

Mr Andrzej Klimczuk

Social Science , Warsaw School of Economics

August 14, 2015

Report this review

Dr Carmen Monico

Human Services Dept, Elon University

November 10, 2014

Report this review

Key features

Key Features

Provides an integrated perspectives approach to international social work and social development practice to give readers alternative theoretical frameworks not found in other books
Focuses on the experience of teaching and practicing international social work, rather than reflecting on the field
Includes tables, chapter summaries, learning exercises and questions, possible research areas, and recommended readings to prompt critical thinking and classroom discussion
Most recent research on indigenous social work, the expansion of international social work, particularly in Asia, and the recent literature relevant to international social work.
Updated references, and literature on all the major global problems confronting the international community including development aid, effectiveness and the Millennium Development Goals and progress in relation to them, and to the impact of globalization.
Updated data on global poverty and its reduction including the least developed countries and the relationship between globalization and poverty
New chapter on the Global Spread and Organization on to address the growing importance of the many features of global migration and introduces global migration from several perspectives including labor migration, forced migration, and Trafficked Persons.
New sections on child soldiers, youth in developing countries, the elderly in developing countries, and persons with disabilities in developing countries.
New chapter on international organizations from a social work perspective, the preparation of international social workers, and the types of roles that social workers commonly undertake in these organizations.