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This course seeks to explore the development of social work knowledge and its use in different countries, examining a range of theoretical models and taking into account the significant influence of traditions, culture and politics on the development of diverse models in different countries and on social work as a whole. Previous topics have included: construction of social work identity, risk, assessment and management, measuring success and outcomes, knowledge base in working with diverse groups, ethical dilemmas in regard to management and policies, improving strategies and methods; methods and techniques in different countries, strategies in the climate of austerity.
Social work as a profession and a science is generally located within national frameworks. However in recent decades it has acquired global dimensions, as well as facing both local challenges and being required to operate within national or regional social security systems and policies, the current climate of change has led to social work becoming interwoven with the growing awareness of global issues, movements and their international networks.
This calls for an international, comparative exploration, of the similarities and differences from the perspectives of users, the state and its agencies, the voluntary and independent sector and the social work profession, with the aim of seeking alternative ways of responding to social work in a changing world.
As the title of the symposium suggests therefore, this year's topic will be a comparative study. In order to benefit from the richness of the experience of participants from different countries, a topic will be chosen, supported by a generic case study. This will be sent to participants together with a grid of themes to be addressed from the perspective of a participants' country.
A comparative synthesis would then be presented at the symposium in Dubrovnik. As well as this comparative study, other contributions and presentations on the theme of the symposium would also be welcome.
Participants are invited to respond to the topic and prepare the response in advance.
Suggested reading:
Erath, Peter/Littlechild, Brian (2010) Social Work Across Europe, Ostrava:Eris
Lorenz, W. (2001) ' Social work in Europe – Portrait of a diverse professional group’, in Hessle, S. (ed) International Standard Setting of Higher Social Work Education, Stockholm University, Stockholm Studies of Social Work.
Lorenz, W. (1993) Social Work in a Changing Europe, Routledge, 1993.
Lyons, K. & Lawrence, S. (eds) (2006) Social Work in Europe: Educating for Change, Venture Press, Birmingham.
2012 Organising director:
Katarzyna Pawelek, Faculty of Educational Studies, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland; Phone: + 48 695568266; E-mail: pawelek_katarzyna@wp.pl
A SOCIAL WORK INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL Dialogue in Praxis can be found here.