Social Work Practice and Education in México

Social work education and practice in Mexico has emphasized need for social change, family, and community involvement. Education includes casework, group work, and community organization with extensive field work experience that is community based. Education programs rely heavily on literature from South American countries including liberation theory such as that espoused by Paolo Friere. Social work education at the college level prepares graduates for practice, with a licencia. Social Workers in Mexico work in medical settings, children's services, rehabilitation, family services, work settings and a variety of community based programs. Mexico has begun to develop graduate education. Education in the US, Canada, Mexico and other countries could be enhanced with further exchanges of faculty, students and literature.     

Community development--action research in community settings

This paper considers the concept of resilience and how the natural qualities supportive of resilience in children and families can best be nurtured. It argues that there is an emerging crisis in bureaucratised child protection systems that alienates and undermines both social workers and clients, and that runs counter to the spirit of resilience‐led practice. Responding to this crisis requires a new emphasis on relationships, strengths and the clients' social context in child and family social work. It also requires practitioners and students to reflect carefully on the nature of helping. The paper explores some of the implications of these ideas for social work practice, education and policy.     

Exploring the Potential of Social Network Analysis in Asset-based Community Development Practice and Research

Abstract

Strengths-based practice appears to be a popular approach to social work practice. Increasingly, it has become the approach of choice in community work, with the “asset-based community development” model being utilised both in Australia and internationally. However, asset-based community development has been criticised for its lack of an evidence base, lack of theoretical depth, and its lack of consideration of the macro level causes of disempowerment. While concepts of networks are central to asset-based community development, social network theory and analysis have rarely been utilised in a comprehensive manner in asset-based community development practice or research. This article contends that asset-based community development practice can benefit from the integration of key concepts from social network theory. Similarly, it is proposed that social network analysis holds promise as an appropriate methodology in terms of understanding the efficacy of asset-based community development projects.     

Community Service Work,Civic Engagement,and “Giving Back” to Society: Key Factors in Improving Interethnic Relationships and Achieving “Connectedness” in Ethnically Diverse Communities

Abstract

Recently, the topics of community service activity and civic engagement relative to psychosocial benefits have received considerable attention. The current study addresses the relationship between community service activities, interethnic attitudes and individual perceptions of the value, relevance and importance of community service activities. We hypothesized that as subjects (n=40) participated in a variety of community service related activities, their perception of the overall importance of community engagement and interethnic attitudes (i.e., reductions in ethnocentrism) would significantly increase. A paired-samples t test showed significant increases among topics addressing perceptions of the importance of community service work and improvements among interethnic attitudes (p<.007). Results of the study and suggestions for future research are offered.     

Case Management in Rural Australia: Arguments for Improved Practice Understandings

Abstract

This article is principally concerned with case management and rurality in the Australian context. While there is substantial literature exploring case management across disciplines and across contexts, there remains a substantial gap in knowledge in relation to the role played by rurality in case management practice in Australia. An emerging body of knowledge associated with human service delivery in rural Australia under the stewardship of authors such as Alston, Cheers, and Lonne, offers valuable links between rurality and human services and draws attention to the specificity of rural work. However, there remains a gap in knowledge about how rural specificity impacts on case management practice in the political, cultural, and socioecological context that makes up rural Australia. Thus, the aim of this paper is to reflect upon contemporary knowledge of rural case management in the light of current literature and emerging trends, and to provoke interest in this topic as an area for further discussion and research.     

New techniques in small area population estimates by demographic characteristics

The increasing demand for small area population estimates calls for both innovative ways of using existing data and new techniques suitable for small area estimates. This paper explores the methods for population estimates by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin at the census tract level for Multnomah County, Oregon. New techniques include employing building permits to indirectly estimate migration and examining the changes in age/sex structure using the American Community Survey (ACS). A practical method for bridging the race categories is also developed. Finally, the paper discusses some reflections on small area estimates and the potentials of using ACS to track the changes of the demographic characteristics for the sub-county level.     

苏州市两社区下岗失业人员社区就业调查分析

实现再就业的一个可行途径是社区就业。目前,发达国家的社区就业份额约占就业总人口的20-30%,发展中国家的社区就业份额约占就业总人口的12-18%,而我国只有3.9%。针对下岗失业人员的剧增和社区就业的巨大发展潜力,从中央一直到苏州市都将社区就业与下岗再就业紧密联系起来,将它作为努力开辟就业门路,积极创造就业岗位的一个途径。在苏州市劳动和社会保障局支持下,2003年8月,本文作者对苏州市两个具有代表性的社区进行了实地调查,取得了很多宝贵的资料。在总结经验的同时,也发现了一定的问题,并提出相应的建议,即领导必须重视;需要大力挖掘潜力;重视制度的执行;针对4048的培训必须切实展开,并保证其效果,社区岗位的培训是突破口。     

人类命运共同体与“中韩命运共同体”:对韩国舆论的分析

相较欧美舆论,韩国舆论对人类命运共同体理念关注度较高,态度更为中立、积极。其关注动机有两点,一是对中国外交路线、中韩关系、国际新秩序探索、国际合作等议题的高度关切;二是对文在寅政府依循该理念提出的"中韩命运共同体"的关注。韩国舆论对人类命运共同体理念在促进地区和平与一体化、加强文化价值传播、增进人类健康福祉等方面抱有期待,亦在"中美争霸"、新"天下秩序"、民族主义等多维度存有疑虑。为扭转人类命运共同体理念对韩传播时呈现的抽象化、单向化倾向,中国应重视该理念与韩国重点关注议题与主流价值——如"东亚共同体"、多边主义、朝鲜半岛和平机制、环境卫生合作等的话语对接,在全球合作抗疫的背景下促进人类命运共同体理念的对外传播。     

城市化进程中的社区人口计生工作研究——以苏州相城区为例

基于对苏州相城区的实地调研,探讨了城市化进程中新建社区的人口计生工作,认为：新时期城市社区人口计生工作应该包括宣传教育、技术服务、信息采集、群众活动组织和建立协会等方面,但面临着人手不够、流动人口工作难、政策执行难、封闭小区管理难等挑战,为此应建立与此相适应的政策、财政、人力和组织保障机制,重点改革流动人口、封闭式住宅小区等方面的管理和服务。