IFSW in partnership with The Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) in Switzerland are delighted to announce the publication of Social Work as a Global Profession: Handbook for Teaching and Learning. The book was launched today at the university and is available now to be download on the IFSW website.
The book is based on a highly successful course run by the social work department at BFH. The programme was designed to introduce students to global social work dynamics, contexts and a variety of practice models from around the world. As a result, students have consistently reported being introduced to new concepts, ideas, and sources of inspiration that will positively influence their practice, whether in Switzerland or in other cultural, economic, or social contexts.
In the interest of sharing knowledge freely the teaching staff and guest speakers have turned their teaching notes into chapters for others to adapt and use in social work teaching and learning. Topics covered include social work as a global profession: the international definition and ethical principles, global entanglements and postcolonial theories and their relevance for social work; the United Nations, human rights and their importance for social work; concepts of empowerment in the international context; community work as a system of social transformation, and eco-social work. These topics are supplemented by real practice examples from across the globe.
The book introduction states: This handbook we hope will be of use to other social work education departments around the world developing people’s understanding of the role of social work as a necessary part of contributing to economic, environment and social harmony, for our shared futures. It is jointly published by IFSW and BFH and can be downloaded here for free: