From Global Frameworks to Local Realities: Reform Proposals for International Social Work in a Postcolonial World

The present bachelor's thesis examines the phenomenon of international social work in a postcolonial context. International social work has yet to realize its full potential to counteract the adverse effects of globalization, promote human rights, and social justice.

International social work is confronted with the complex relationship to the legacy of colonialism. In countries that were previously under colonial rule, social work has its roots in colonial structures. This has weakened functional indigenous social support systems. The Western-influenced systems are not aligned with the local context and, as a result, are not effectively addressing the needs of the communities. These structures were upheld and further developed through universalization and standardization tendencies in international social work. Colonialism was replaced by professional imperialism. This thesis aims to make a contribution to the resolution of this problem through the formulation of international social work reform proposals.

A case study of social work in Uganda revealed that international social work is confronted with another significant challenge: its inherent nation-state bound nature. In this challenge, non-governmental organizations play a pivotal role. In particular, transnational non-governmental organizations have the potential to transcend national boundaries and engage in transnational operations. Therefore, this thesis recommends that transnational NGOs become a future working field for international social work. When decolonized, they have the potential to strengthen the common commitment to advocate for an issue at the global or national political level as a common "global force".