International Social Welfare Organizations

International Social Welfare Organizations

Over the last several decades, the role of the social worker has been continually evolving. Part of the reason for this, is because a wide variety of problems have emerged that are highlighting the challenges facing many societies around the globe. This significant, because it means the responsibilities for social workers are adapting (based upon these shifts). To fully understand these transformations requires reviewing and critiquing four different articles on the subjects. Once this occurs, it will provide the greatest insights as to how the roles and responsibilities of social workers are continually changing.

International Social Welfare Organizations

The article titled International Social Welfare Organizations is discussing the role of NGO's in addressing a variety of social issues. Currently, there are about 50 thousand NGOs that are operating around the world (which is increasing). The reason why, is because there has been a shift in political thinking over the last several years. As, many governments have begun to take a more limited function in delivering various services to the public. What has been happening is they have been outsourcing this responsibility to: the private sector or nonprofit organizations.

At the same time, various NGO's have been stepping forward to fill this void. This has created a more formalized structure, where they are serving as a go between for: corporate and nonprofit interests. This information is significant, because it is illustrating how there has been change in the way these kinds of services are being provided to billions of people around the world. As a result, the role of national governments is becoming less influential in comparison with various nonprofit organizations. ("International Social Welfare Organizations," n.d.)

International Social Work

In the article titled International Social Work, Karabanow is seeking to understand the problems facing homeless children in Canada and Guatemala. What he found, was that there are common issues that were affecting this group of the population to include: physical / sexual violence, drug abuse and mental illness. To deal with these various challenges an approach must be taken that will help to empower these children. As, it will embrace a number of different tools to include: addressing their basic needs, improved communication / collaboration, integrating them with mainstream society and merging local advocacy groups with the resources of larger organizations. These different elements are important, because they can help to address the underlying problems affecting this group of society. (Karabanow 2003, pp. 369 -- 386)

Partnerships in International Social Development

In the article Partnership in International Social Development, Campfens is discussing how there has been a focus in many organizations to form various alliances with one another. Part of the reason for this, is because local community groups have become organized and are demanding more of voice in local affairs. While at the same time, many NGOs want to have a way of effectively delivering different resources to an area. As a result, various partnerships have been formed between: a wide variety of groups (in addressing a host of issues affecting their communities). This is significant, because it is showing how this approach in addressing various social issues is continually evolving. Over the course of time, this meant that a shift has taken place in how these services are being delivered to the general public. (Campfens, 1996, pp. 201 -- 223)

NGO's in the Service of Imperialism