Social workers warned against globalised capitalism

The economic policies in developed countries, which are restricted by the emerging markets, have regularised and restricted social work to evolve a new managerial culture, said John Bates, Course Leader of Social Work of Liverpool Hope University, United Kingdom.

Social workers, unlike earlier days, wait for the managers’ direction to reach out to the poor and needy. The bureaucratic nature poses several challenges, eroding the creativity and keenness of the workers. The trans-national companies are on the hunt for cheap labour in developing and under-developed countries, where the interests of women and children are not satisfactorily addressed. The globalisation practices are inevitable and social workers must equip themselves to tackle the situations in the best way. It can be a force to reduce the worst upshots of globalised capitalism, he said.

He was addressing participants of a national workshop on ‘Social work education and practice: opportunities and apprehensions’ hosted by the Department of Social Work of Bishop Heber College.

Insisting on developing a localised framework by social workers, Dr. Bates said the workers must enhance the knowledge of social work among local communities. He urged the social workers to resist the language of business while addressing the issues of local people and reinvigorate core values of social work.

The chief guest, Penny Haughan, Dean, Deanery of Sciences and Social Science of Liverpool Hope University, sketched out the activities and projects undertaken by the students of social work in the University.

Principal Marcus Diepen Boominathan presided. The first day of the workshop had sessions on ‘Social problems — perspectives for intervention’ by Joseph Iryudhayaraj, Reader in Human Resource Management, St. Joseph’s College, ‘Social work education and practice’ by J. Godwin Prem Singh, Reader in Social Work, Bishop Heber College, and ‘Women’s development issues,’ by Sankari of Vice-principal of Cauvery College for Women.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/15/stories/2007121554980600.htm

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