A paper prepared for presentation at the 4th International Conference on ‘Strengthening social solidarity, community resilience and global connectedness’, 3-6 April 2021 Dhaka Bangladesh; organised by the Community Social Work Practice and Development Foundation. Link to the Foundation’s website:
ABSTRACT: I argue in this paper that scholars should develop social work theory so that it is relevant to practice, and practitioners should be enabled to use theory in their practice. Four different social works form different emphases within social work theory relevant to practice in different regions and countries. International social work has shifted from building social work’s presence across the world, to developing practice that responds to the local impact of global social movements, including environmental change, poverty and inequality and the economic and social role of women. 21st century perspectives on social development are responding to the impact of these global social issues. Social work is not the sole player in social development, but its focus on the social, incorporating traditional theory in social assistance, social education and social work, makes an important contribution of its focus on interpersonal, organisational and social relationships.
Link to a recording the presentation of the papers, including mine, and the debate in Keynote session 1:
Link to a recording of the conference valedictory session, at which I also commented on some of the issues raised in this paper:
References to publications on which the presentation is based:
Payne, M. (2021). Modern social work theory (5th Ed.). London: Red Globe Press/New York: Oxford University Press. Chapter 3 on Linking practice and theory. Chapter 10 on Macro practice, social development and social pedagogy.
Payne, M. (2012). Political and organisational contexts of social work internationally. In K. Lyons, T. Hokenstad, M. Pawar, N. Huegler & N. Hall (Eds.) Sage handbook of international social work. London: Sage.
Askeland, G. A. & Payne, M. (2017). Internationalizing social work education: Insights from leading figures across the globe. Bristol: Policy Press.
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