The profession of Social Work promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people. There are critical issues facing our entire world in both wealthy nations and developing countries. It is with deep hope and prayer that people everywhere, each and every one of us, will soon begin to take matters, even a small step, into their own hands. Each one of us can lend a humanitarian hand to a particular cause that moves us. We as social workers have chosen to dedicate our careers to causes such as: alleviating hunger, providing shelter for the houseless, providing aid to refuges in war torn regions, protecting the environment, advocating for human rights, and implementing conflict resolutions to end violence.
The principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work. People need to be educated about what public, private, governmental and social service resources exist to provide aid and assistance to people in need. Even beyond the awareness of a programs existence is the knowledge of how to navigate the, often complicated, systems already in place. Identifying a community’s resources is the first step to positive change!
In Rural Social Work: Building and Sustaining Community Assets, sustainability was discussed in that there exists an irrefutable connection and dependence between humans and their environment. And, this connection is securely tied to economic and social development. That being said, the environment is taking the brunt of the overwhelming global development and it needs protection. This protection must come from policy change in and between nations as well as the education among all humans in how to access and conserve resources. Environmental protection through sustainability is a global issue that is on the table for discussion at both the G20 summit in Pittsburg, discussing the global economy, and at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhegan in December (http://en.cop15.dk/).
There are endless ways to get involved both locally AND internationally. For ideas in and around Humboldt County visit: http://reachouthumboldt.org/
For ideas to help internationally through volunteer opportunities or employment try:
Intersting, as I was reading this post, I could here my friends talk about swimming through the vastness of life and society. One a local farmer, and the other a mental health case manager. Both broke, yet understanding the deeper purpose of their life and the connection to the bigger picture. Yes, more education and more discussion among other individuals, groups, communities and society. Thanks for those links. Very helpful.
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