Ethical Practice in Social Work by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Social Science, Social Work
ISBN: 9780335222032
Google: PWb4AAAAQBAJ
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education (UK)
Published: 2006-11-01T01:57:07+00:00

Globalisation from below

One way of summing up social work’s new commitment to social justice and human rights as part of human dignity is the project of ‘globalisation from below’. Writers such as Ife (2000), Brecher, Costello and Smith (2002) and Khinduka (2004) argue that so far, globalisation has been ‘top-heavy’, with international institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund being dominated by the interests of the developed world and, within this, the most powerful groups such as multinational corporations. However, we have also seen that globalisation is a complex process, leading to complex inequalities as well as unexpected opportunities (Pakulski 2004). With the new access to the internet and international communication, previously silenced groups such as indigenous communities now have unprecedented opportunities to make their voices heard. In Australia, for example, when the Aboriginal cause for land rights was ignored by the federal government, indigenous people went to the International Court of Human Rights and found a voice (even though the Court’s determination is not binding on the Australian government).

Social work, with its mission to gain social justice and human rights and wellbeing for all and its experience working with oppressed groups, is in a unique position to work in partnership with vulnerable and disadvantaged people to strengthen their voices and restore some balance to the debates, thus working towards globalisation from below. Robert Polack (2004) suggests many ways by which social workers can contribute to globalisation from below, including teaching about globalisation and international social work in all social work courses. He concludes his review of social work’s possible role this way:

To put it directly, within our profession there is a wealth of experience, and accumulated knowledge base, and superior skills, which may be used in the service of empowering those who are exploited in the global economy. Social workers should work both collectively, in coalition with related organizations, and individually to effect change in the debt crisis and related global issues (Polack 2004: 289).

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