Description
Currently there is an enduring and changing meaning of social work in a world where new crises are being confronted and new opportunities are arriving in the evolving context of social work and the related disciplines. There is a question on how to manage the transformation of social work both productively and creatively during this global shift. Practitioners and educators can experience a tragic disorientation when confronted by the diversity and depth of these crises endured and can face doubts about their role in social work throughout all these changes and difficult situations. Alternatives to this disorientation, a comfort with uncertainty, and a capability to take risks need to urgently be developed on a professional and personal level for success in the evolving field. Through historical lens and a review of policies and value-based approaches, the recontextualization of social work can be explored.
Practical and Political Approaches to Recontextualizing Social Work explores practical and political ways in which social work practice has been reconstructed. Chapters identify this recontextualization of social work and how it is changing, adapting, and transforming the profession along with providing the potential implications for the profession. This book grants insight on the reconstruction of social work on the personal and interpersonal level (“case” work) and also on those intending to impact social work on the local/global environment level in all dimensions: politically, economically, socially, and ecologically. In addition, the book includes a shift from the present short-term and micro/personal view to a future and much broader and encompassing perspective and practice vision. This book is essential for social workers, practitioners, policymakers, government officials, researchers, academicians, and students who want to learn more about the recontextualizing of modern social work in a shifting global environment.
Author's/Editor's Biography
Jacques Boulet (Ed.)
Jacques Boulet has studied, worked, and lived in five continents. Originally from Flemish Belgium, studies social work, graduating in 1965; after 3 years volunteering in Community Development in Congo, lectured in social work and community development in Germany throughout the 70s, especially active in social work curriculum development. Obtained PhDs (Sociology and Social Work) from the University of Michigan (80-85) and lectured from 1985 to 1996 at Melbourne and RMIT Universities in Australia. Started the Borderlands Cooperative in 1997 and is involved in consulting work in a broad range of research projects in social and community issues and continues to be a casual lecturer/researcher at several local and overseas universities and Adjunct Professor at Deakin University. Editor of the only Community Development journal in Australia (New Community) appearing with interruptions since 1983, he has published widely and across the entire spectrum of social work content, some of his works translated in several other languages.
Linette Hawkins (Ed.)
Linette Hawkins’ experience as a practitioner, planner, project worker and educator has spanned social work, welfare studies and community and international development. Her employers have included state and commonwealth governments, universities and non-government organizations. The participatory action research approach has guided her research with others in areas such as, the labour market and education for professional expertise in community and human services and innovative field education models. Organizations in which she is involved include Action Research Issues Association (ARIA), Australian Association of Social Work (AASW), Borderlands Cooperative, International Association of Community Development (IACD) and New Community Quarterly Management Committee.