Editorial

The terms ‘Global North’ and ‘Global South’ are used to describe broad regional disparities and diversities based on political, social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. While the boundaries between those regions are not universally defined and fixed, these terms can help us understand the global inequalities and divisions in social welfare and social work development among those regions. Some societies located in the Asia Pacific region are regarded as members of the Global South because many of them have less developed social welfare systems, including social protection, social services, and social support networks. The development of the social work profession in some Global South countries is also in its nascent stage. Whereas it is important to recognise that social welfare systems in the Global South are diverse and constantly evolving, there are some general trends and similar challenges across many societies of those regions. According to Schmitt (2020), a deeper understanding of the social welfare systems in the Global South is a prerequisite for understanding the ongoing struggles against social inequalities and disadvantages in those societies. More efforts should also be put into addressing the challenges and opportunities faced by those societies. The five articles included in this issue of the Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development can be interpreted as addressing various social welfare issues and the development of social work in the Global South.

The phenomenon of immigration caused by political and economic reasons and the lives of immigrants are a socially significant issue in many Global South countries. Jang and Chun (2022), adopting a qualitative case study with gender perspectives, delved into the experiences of ‘Mi-Hyang’, an unaccompanied female adolescent North Korean refugee (NKR), who defected to a third country. It also investigated the human rights violations that occur in the border area between North Korea and China. This study focuses on the important events that influenced Mi-Hyang’s decision to defect and her eventual resettlement in South Korea. Mi-Hyang’s story sheds light on the feminisation of survival, global care chains, and the human trafficking of minors. The study’s findings provide valuable insights into the characteristics of unaccompanied female adolescent NKRs and offer primary data for the development of policies and services that support their resettlement in South Korea.

Zhao and To (2022), using the theoretical framework of bounded agency in the life course, explored the experiences of Chinese rural-to-urban migrants in pursuing future possibilities. Through in-depth interviews with 42 migrants working in three mainland Chinese cities, it suggests that the participants viewed starting a business as a ‘panacea’ that could alleviate many negative aspects of their lives as manual labourers. However, their agency was limited by factors such as a lack of social support, inadequate knowledge and skills, and a lack of entrepreneurial personality when discussing how to turn this plan into action. The researchers conclude that starting a business should be viewed as a ‘stimulant’ that offers migrants a spiritual respite from their frustrating lives rather than a ‘panacea’ that solves their practical problems. The study recommends policy and practice changes to help rural-to-urban migrants achieve a better future.

To effectively address the social problems and needs of Global South societies, social services developed by high-quality and professional social workers are of great importance. Magalang and Carvalho (2022) conducted a survey that aimed to assess the work-related quality of life (WRQOL) of 52 Filipino social workers. The results indicate that professionals employed in the private sector experienced a higher level of WRQOL than those working in the government sector, mainly due to greater autonomy in decision-making. Additionally, social workers in regular or permanent positions reported a higher level of WRQOL than those on contractual terms, regardless of whether they worked in the public or private sector. The results of this study indicate that employment status, workplace stability, and professional autonomy considerably impact the WRQOL of Filipino social workers. It is recommended to increase investment in the well-being and human capital of social workers to create a high-calibre group of professionals.

The study of Jalil and Hussain (2023) investigated the obstacles faced by governmental social service providers in professional social work practice in Bangladesh. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 governmental social service officers. It revealed significant challenges including a lack of familiarity with the social work discipline, insufficient professional recognition, the absence of specific employment opportunities for social work graduates, and limited understanding of social work among policymakers. The authors suggest that concerted efforts by academics, researchers, social service professionals, and policymakers are necessary to overcome these challenges. The insights gained from this study can inform efforts by developing countries to address the challenges of professional social work practice.

Dinh and Nguyen (2022) examined the benefits and drawbacks of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam. A cross-sectional anonymous online survey was conducted with 186 undergraduate social work students at a social work education institution in Hanoi. A conventional content analysis was also adopted to analyse the qualitative data of the survey. The study finds that while online learning is primarily valued for its convenience in terms of travel, scheduling, and learning environment, it has significant limitations in terms of technical operation, interaction, and learning effectiveness. These findings support the authors to explore the opportunities and challenges of online social work education in Vietnam after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although efforts have been made to strengthen social work education and practice in the Global South societies, challenges remain in the development of social work in those societies, including limited resources, issues of cultural relevancy, and social inequalities. Therefore, more work should be done to further develop this profession and expand its impact on the communities of the Global South.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).