International Dimension in Social Work Education

Globalisation has changed the world in which we live. Social workers witness the challenges for individuals, communities and societies that are resulting from this rapid transformation of our world. The social work community have responded by introducing the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development that committed the social work community to four main priorities:

• Promoting social and economic equalities
• Promoting the dignity and worth of peoples
• Working toward environmental sustainability
• Strengthening recognition of the importance of human relationships

The new Global Definition of Social Work was introduced by IASSW and IFSW in 2014.

• How should social work students be encouraged to engage with global developments within the social work curriculum?
• What pedagogical methods should be utilised to engage social work students with international and global aspects of our work?
• What new methods or courses could we develop to incorporate international dimensions of social work in the curricula of the future?
• How are students of social work being prepared to support and intervene in situations of environmental crisis and disaster?