The Economy's Global: Can Social work Education be Global?

Abstract

Interest in an international approach to social work education is as old as the profession itself. Early leaders in the field were active in many international movements for peace and disarmament, women's rights and other social justice causes which cut across national boundaries, even as they do now, 100 years later. From Webb's work on poverty to Addams' fight for peace to Szold's rescue of nationless refugees, social workers have been internationalists. They did not stumble into the work: they grew into it as they came to recognize the futility of national reform without international agreements and supports. Jane Addams. a veritable wellhead of social reform, especially prized her role in founding the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (Cooper, 1960).

Strong support for the international in social work education has tended to operate on a personal level, among an active, dedicated, relatively small cadre of colleagues whose own experiences had shown them the importance of a global perspective. These were not academics who spent two-week vacations in a foreign country and returned to write journal articles about developments overseas. They were a dedicated cohort who were “at home” in social welfare anywhere. They were skilled leaders whose charisma allowed them to take their message to doubters and opportunists alike. Their mission to make education for social work international has always been both highly political and intensely personal. Distinguished examples from their ranks include: Salomon, Younghusband and Sand from Europe; Kendall and Stein from the U.S.; Desai from India; Garber from Canada; and many others.

Social work education has a long, uneven tradition of international concern and humanist motivation. As the economic world became more global, social work education became more local. It must again take an international view, including serious efforts to create a model that transcends parochial national and cultural boundaries. Success is complicated by the field's current fragmentation. To remain viable requires unity: agreement on principles; examination of major issues; and determination to create a model which prepares social workers for competent and sensitive practice at the international level, where social problems increasingly appear.

Continued preoccupation with education for purely domestic practice may not lead to social work's demise, but surely will lead to its diminished relevance, and to the elimination of any chance for social work professionals to play a significant role in the emerging world society.