ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the social work profession should refrain from the use of alternative language to address concepts such as human rights and make explicit reference to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Social workers have a responsibility to pursue social change by challenging social injustices. On December 10, 1948, the UDHR was officially adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. This was a landmark document that brought human rights into international law. The field of human rights is defined by three domains of rights: civil and political rights; socioeconomic and cultural rights; and natural world and the right to work. The National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics from the United States seeks to describe a set of values, principles, and standards that guide professional social work practice. Human rights are central to social work practice. Social workers are called to “contribute to social justice and human dignity”.
