The Social Work profession extends beyond national borders; the more we learn about social workers from other nations, the more it will become clear that we are all fighting the same battle. How do we help those who cannot rise above the system in which they were born? Zimbabwe is having a difficult time due to an economic downturn. Sound familiar?
Zimbabwe is experiencing an exodus of skilled professionals for green pastures, including social workers. Social Work is unique in the fact that it promotes social order. It is that much more difficult to come out of an economic downturn without the aid of professional social workers to connect clients with services. The government has responded by attempting to create a licensing process and code of conduct for social workers. Sound familiar?
It’s bizarre that they are trying to build a system that has already been constructed in most of the developed world. It’s the little things that bring clarity. This story illuminates the lack of connection that the developed world has with the developing world, and especially the disconnect that social workers have world-wide. Where is the global social work body that can step in to help Zimbabwe? Must they reinvent the wheel? There is no lack of skill, nor means, to do so. If social workers unite globally, those we serve are united as well. The depth of the profession will be extended by the experience of our sisters and brothers in other nations. Social work should be the bridge that unites humanity.
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I believe BSW and MSW’s should unit globally-we all want needed improvements for humanity and for society in general. For those of us in the Westernized world-things are a heck of a lot better than those in third world countries, underdeveloped countries and those in the middle east.
Are things perfect-no. Nor will they ever be, but we need to or should strive for betterment of conditions for those that do not have the basics, for those that need a little extra help, for those that are going through a difficult time at a particular moment in time.
That to me is social work and social justice.