ABSTRACT
An important issue that emerges from the various chapters in this edited volume is that social work has become a global profession; one that is underpinned by a commitment to promote social justice, human rights and equality (IFSW, 2001; Hare, 2004; Sewpaul and Jones, 2004). Over the last couple of centuries, social work has evolved into a unique profession, practised in diverse contexts through a multitude of approaches (Dominelli, 2010). The Directory of Schools of Social Work compiled by the International Association of Schools of Social Work suggests that there are around 3,000 schools of social work and IFSW’s website indicates that there are 1.5 million professional social workers practising in at least eighty-four countries (Dominelli, 2010). One thing that clearly emerges from this data is the sheer diversity that social work encompasses, making it a profession that is global in nature, yet responding to local needs. However, no matter how diverse social work is, the core of the social work profession is embedded in the universal values of equality, worth and dignity of all people; is motivated by the aspirations for human rights and social justice; and strives to alleviate poverty and empower marginalised and oppressed people in order to realise their true potential (Palattiyil and Sidhva, 2012). In that sense, social work can be described as an empowering and emancipatory practice.
