A Chinese cultural critique of the global qualifying standards for social work education

Abstract

This paper attempts to discuss the Chinese cultural implications of the recently proposed document: ‘Global Qualifying Standards for Social Work Education’ by the IASSW and IFSW. It seems that this document still embraces an ideology of western social work imperialism in perceiving the development of social work in other countries. With reference to Chinese culture and social work education in Hong Kong and in mainland China, the writer advocates that responsibility and rights, stability and changes, social norms and equality, as well as empowerment and relation, should be fully articulated in the definition, ethical principles, and core purpose of social work practice as well as in the mission and curriculum in social work education within Chinese communities.

Keywords:

• Social Work Education
• Chinese Communities
• Global Standard

Notes

Correspondence to: Dr Kam‐shing Yip, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Social Studies, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Fax: [phone]; Email: [email protected]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kam‐Shing Yip

Correspondence to: Dr Kam‐shing Yip, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Social Studies, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Fax: [phone]; Email: [email protected]