Transnational social work: a new paradigm with perspectives

Abstract

In the course of its professionalisation, social work seems to have got trapped in national social policy frames while our world is increasingly marked by transnational processes. Due to its structural location within nation states, therefore, social work generally has its hands tied to adequately respond to ‘globalisation’, particularly in the almost total absence of transnational or world social policy frames. Given this situation, what can the profession do? This chapter explores how social work could experience a professional renaissance by explicitly reflecting its role and activities from a transnational perspective. First is explored what a transnational social work perspective is, and what it is not. Second, the possible locations are identified as to where transnational social work could already be practiced. Third, key knowledge dimension are identified for the entire social work field to move forward in adopting a transnational perspective in training, research, service delivery systems and practice.