Reconceptualizing social work in times of crisis: An examination of the cases of Greece, Spain and Portugal

Abstract

What started as a peripheral banking crisis in 2008 within five years triggered the deepest recession Europe has seen in decades, escalating to manifold socio-political crises. Under these circumstances, many social workers find themselves in a situation of extreme pressure and insecurity. Traditional theories and orthodox practices are now challenged by frontline social workers. This article explores such a 'reconceptualization' process, evaluating recent developments and changes in Spanish, Portuguese and Greek social work. We argue that the current crisis has generated a profound (re)politicization of social workers which leads to the redefinition of the core values and principles of social work.

Tendencias del Trabajo Social en el ámbito de los Servicios Sociales desde la perspectiva profesional. Estudio Delphi

“…En esta misma línea, Ioakimimdis et al (2014) realiza un llamamiento a la reflexión y a la reconceptualización radical del trabajo social en los paí-ses del sur de Europa donde las consecuencias de la crisis en los ciudadanos y en las estructuras del bienestar aún persisten.…”

Beyond Legalism in Turbulent Times: Re-grounding UK Social Work in a Richer International Human Rights Perspective

“…Broad frameworks of human rights have been largely used, for instance, in social work in Spain, where global and Eurozone economic crises and austerity policy responses to those crises, have since 2008 resulted since in a sharp rise in inequality, a marked impoverishment of the population and mass unemployment (Ioakimidis et al 2014). In this context, a human rights language has characterised the analysis, statements and collective actions of the Spanish National Association of Social Workers (CGTS) facing the socioeconomic crisis in Spain in recent years.…”

Neoliberalism and Austerity in Spain, Portugal and South Africa: The Revolution of Older Persons

“…The extraordinary public support demonstrated by the Spanish society in recent protest movements in 2011 suggests an emerging anti-capitalist critique (Ioakimidis et al, 2014).…”

“…For example: defence of health (white wave); defence of education (green wave); defence of social services (orange wave); and defence of water as a human right (blue wave). The Marea Naranja (orange wave) movement, in particular, has been acting as a common platform for NGOs, social workers, service users, trade unionists, social activists, and citizens to unite in their commitment to defend public services (Ioakimidis, Santos and Herrero, 2014). Many older people in Spain have been actively participating in such demonstrations (Ortiz et al, 2013), as well as initialising movements of their own.…”

“…The rise in such opposition movements has been met with political repression. Apart from the legalistic acts of constitutional manipulation, states have also used excessive police force to contain public discontent (Ioakimidis et al, 2014). The implementation of new laws such as that of the "gag law" has greatly limited protest established the world's first ever hologram march, demonstrating that their commitments to justice could not be stifled (Al Jazeera, 2015).…”