Guest Editorial – Social Work in India

Developing social work education in Myanmar

“…Palattiyil and Sidhva's (2012) analysis of the personal to political continuum of social work methods as in India will be used to explore that question. First, at the personal level, casework and counselling are useful approaches in Western urban, resourced settings where multiple services and social work positions are funded through the state, requiring case plans and coordination of services to achieve established goals.…”

Reclaiming international social work in the context of the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development: Some critical reflections

“…The number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is on the rise, but they operate with shrinking funds and their survival is uncertain. This can be challenging not only for the people for whom social work exists to serve, but also for those who are qualifying as social workers with fewer job opportunities (Palattiyil and Sidhva, 2012). Interestingly, many of the International Development and comparable degrees offered in the West equip their students for work in NGOs in developing countries (e.g.…”

“…www.bhopal.com; Broughton, 2005); and advocacy movements promoting the equality of Dalits (Palattiyil and Sidhva, 2012). In these situations, it is fair to say that social work is not of the kind practised in Anglophone countries, especially that delivered by statutory services that are confined to the narrow realms of statutory interventions mandated by the State.…”

“…For example, in India, globalisation and its overwhelming impact on India's masses have led to a more radical and activist type of social work intervention with mass movements. This has included, for example, mass agitation in support of the poor, displaced by multinational hydroelectric projects; support for the victims of industrial accidents (such as the Bhopal Gas tragedy -see www.bhopal.com; Broughton, 2005); and advocacy movements promoting the equality of Dalits (Palattiyil and Sidhva, 2012). In these situations, it is fair to say that social work is not of the kind practised in Anglophone countries, especially that delivered by statutory services that are confined to the narrow realms of statutory interventions mandated by the state.…”

“…Interestingly, one of the most life-changing spheres in which social workers operate is managing the after-effects of natural disasters (e.g. tsunami or earthquake) and supporting efforts at rehabilitation (Ting and Blyth, 2016;Kruck and Aghabakshi, 2016;Palattiyil and Sidhva, 2012;Tan et al, 2007). What is noteworthy is the fact that while risk and vulnerability of marginalised people are the driving force behind social work interventions, many of the interventions that take place are without the statutory powers as understood in the Western social work context (Palattiyil and Sidhva, 2012).…”