by David N JonesDuring the World Conference of Social Work in Brazil I have experienced for myself that Brazilians like to talk, they love rhetoric and respond enthusiastically to political speeches denouncing the evils of neo-liberalism and globalisation.
This formed a large
part of the content of the welcome speeches from the various local and
national dignitaries as well as the opening plenary presentations from
a towering figure in Latin American social work - Jose Paulo Netto -
and a Canadian social economist Ellen Wood. Not that the Europeans
here necessarily disagree with some or even most of their analysis.
Where now for social work practice?
IFSW has campaigned for debt relief for the poorest countries and our policy on globalisation recognises the negative consequences for many countries and millions of people. However the Europeans are saying - so what? Where does the analysis leave social work practice? What does this tell me about what I should do tomorrow? I have had two main opportunities to intervene in sessions - in the welcome and as chair of a 3 hour session on poverty and I have certainly pushed that question; how does that analysis help our daily work and decisions.
The how and what has been discussed more in the workshop sessions - which have certainly demanded huge stamina. By European and North American standards, the expectation that sessions will continue for 3 hours or more without break and without refreshments provided is certainly challenging. I think there would have been vociferous protests from participants! However that is how it is.
On the other hand, a group of students saw nothing unexceptional in arriving late for the opening ceremony, walking to the front and setting up a picnic at the foot of the platform in full view of 2,600 participants whilst the keynote speakers continued! These are just some of the cultural challenges.
Struggle to communicate
The experience of being in such a minority in the conference is another novelty for many people. The Brazilians number over 2,000, those from other countries a mere 300. There is no doubt who is in the majority and there is often a real struggle to communicate. The passion of Brazilian speakers and the speed of language makes translation difficult for the professional translators and extremely difficult for those listening in English as a second language - but then the English speakers do not necessarily give much consideration to those listening in what is a second language for them!
But finally, there are of course lighter moments and one came at the end of the opening ceremony. The Bahia folklore ballet staged a dazzling display of dance influenced by local culture. The first part drew on the traditional, Afro-Brazilian religion developed by the slaves in Bahia - this part of Brazil. It is a religion in which the key spirit figures are closely linked to key Catholic saints. The stunning final section was a display of capoeira - a martial arts/dance form developed by the slaves of Bahia.
The sheer exuberance, athleticism and physique of the male dancers were captivating and had the audience on their feet. A powerful symbol of the energy of modern Brazil, the ingenuity of the Africans who created the art form and the self-confidence of the area. As so often, music and art leave a lasting impression which may well extended longer than all the carefully crafted words and speeches!
David N Jones is president of the International Federation of Social Workers
Where now for social work practice?
IFSW has campaigned for debt relief for the poorest countries and our policy on globalisation recognises the negative consequences for many countries and millions of people. However the Europeans are saying - so what? Where does the analysis leave social work practice? What does this tell me about what I should do tomorrow? I have had two main opportunities to intervene in sessions - in the welcome and as chair of a 3 hour session on poverty and I have certainly pushed that question; how does that analysis help our daily work and decisions.
The how and what has been discussed more in the workshop sessions - which have certainly demanded huge stamina. By European and North American standards, the expectation that sessions will continue for 3 hours or more without break and without refreshments provided is certainly challenging. I think there would have been vociferous protests from participants! However that is how it is.
On the other hand, a group of students saw nothing unexceptional in arriving late for the opening ceremony, walking to the front and setting up a picnic at the foot of the platform in full view of 2,600 participants whilst the keynote speakers continued! These are just some of the cultural challenges.
Struggle to communicate
The experience of being in such a minority in the conference is another novelty for many people. The Brazilians number over 2,000, those from other countries a mere 300. There is no doubt who is in the majority and there is often a real struggle to communicate. The passion of Brazilian speakers and the speed of language makes translation difficult for the professional translators and extremely difficult for those listening in English as a second language - but then the English speakers do not necessarily give much consideration to those listening in what is a second language for them!
But finally, there are of course lighter moments and one came at the end of the opening ceremony. The Bahia folklore ballet staged a dazzling display of dance influenced by local culture. The first part drew on the traditional, Afro-Brazilian religion developed by the slaves in Bahia - this part of Brazil. It is a religion in which the key spirit figures are closely linked to key Catholic saints. The stunning final section was a display of capoeira - a martial arts/dance form developed by the slaves of Bahia.
The sheer exuberance, athleticism and physique of the male dancers were captivating and had the audience on their feet. A powerful symbol of the energy of modern Brazil, the ingenuity of the Africans who created the art form and the self-confidence of the area. As so often, music and art leave a lasting impression which may well extended longer than all the carefully crafted words and speeches!
David N Jones is president of the International Federation of Social Workers
Dear David N. Jones:
Allow me introduce myself. My name is José Alvaro Santos and I’m from Portugal and I’m President of Association for Debate and Investigation in Social Work (in Portuguese Associação de Investigação e Debate em Serviço social).
I read your post “Where now for social work practice?” and I real feel that’s key question for social work.
We all know the consequences of neo-liberalism and globalisation but we didn’t find the ways of dealing with these consequences.
More, I visit frequently the sites of various social work organisations and I think the debate about these questions is very poor.
When I read the general meetings 2008 documents and find that themes like self confidence, World Definition of Social Work and the World Ethical Principles for Social Work, the relations theory and practice, going to be discuss in the next General Meeting of the International Federation of Social Workers in 2010. I’ll think we go too slow .
A little slow because everyday we feel the consequences of neo-liberalism and globalisation in our work and still we haven’t find the references to help our daily work.
As European, I also think that we don’t discuss the European project. We need create a new economic-social project in Europe as alternative to the projects from countries like China and India e U.S.A. ( even with Barack Obama as President). That’s the main issue in the E.C. and I don’t see social workers participating in this process.
Finally, we have excellent relations with Brazilian social workers because the historic relations between our countries. However, I think we should understand that the “South American way” of work is little bit different of the “European way”. We don’t work in the same social context and if I have great respect for their enthusiasm, passion and intellectual activity, I also think that’s no reason for us, Europeans, not participle and development new ways for social work.
The important is keep talking with each other and exchange ideas, projects and experiences because, although the differences, we al live in the same planet.