Overview of the concepts, principles, and practices of international social work, including the ethical considerations and challenges of working with diverse populations in different cultural contexts.
Globalization: The process of economic, political, and cultural integration between different countries and regions of the world that has profound effects on social work practice and policy at the international level.
Human rights: The principles that protect individual freedoms, dignity, and equality against discrimination, exploitation, and abuse that should inform social work practice, research, and advocacy in different cultural contexts.
Social justice: The pursuit of fair and equitable distribution of opportunities, resources, and rewards in society, regardless of gender, ethnicity, class, or other social factors, that requires social workers to challenge unfair and discriminatory policies and practices both within and outside their home country.
Cultural competence: The ability to understand and respect the diversity of values, beliefs, and practices that shape the social and cultural contexts of clients and communities, and to adapt social work interventions accordingly, while avoiding ethnocentric assumptions and biases.
Comparative social policy: The study of social welfare systems and policies across different countries and regions, their historical, political, and cultural roots, as well as their relative effectiveness and challenges in addressing social problems.
International NGOs: Non-governmental organizations that operate across different countries and regions in addressing global issues such as poverty, human rights, health, and the environment, and offer opportunities for social workers to engage in advocacy, fundraising, program design, and evaluation.
Cross-cultural communication: The skills of effective communication between people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, that involve active listening, empathy, feedback, and clarification of values and norms.
Trauma and resilience: The study of trauma and its effects on individuals and communities, as well as the factors that promote resilience and recovery, that requires social workers to integrate psychological, cultural, and social perspectives in their interventions.
Disaster management: The field of emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and reconstruction in the face of natural or human-made disasters, that require social workers to work with multiple stakeholders and to address both immediate and long-term impacts on individuals and communities.
Peacebuilding and conflict resolution: The processes of promoting peaceful and nonviolent ways of resolving conflicts and building sustainable peace at different levels, that require social workers to engage in dialogue, mediation, empowerment, and community development strategies.
Historical Overview: This type of introduction provides an overview of the history of international social work, including the development of social work as a profession and its evolution over time.
Theoretical Basis: This introduction covers the various theoretical perspectives that inform international social work practice, including cultural, economic, and political factors.
Comparative Social Work: This introduction compares social work in different parts of the world, examining the differences and similarities in practice, policies, and systems.
Globalization and Social Work: This type of introduction discusses the impact of globalization on social work practice, including the challenges and opportunities presented by a globalized world.
Human Rights and Social Work: This introduction emphasizes the importance of human rights in international social work, focusing on how social workers can promote and protect human rights in their practice.
International Development and Social Work: This type of introduction explores the relationship between international development and social work, including the role of social workers in promoting sustainable development.
Cross-Cultural Approaches: This introduction focuses on the importance of cultural competence in international social work, providing strategies for working with clients from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
International Social Policy: This type of introduction explores the policies that shape social work practice at the international level, including policy frameworks such as the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
International Social Work Practice: This introduction provides an overview of social work practice in an international context, including the skills and competencies required to work effectively in different cultural settings.