Introduction

Social work is essentially a local activity, shaped in accordance with the nation-state's historical factors, prevailing political philosophy and socioeconomic conditions and the cultural norms of a particular society, with special reference to the recognised needs of vulnerable individuals, marginalised communities and/or excluded groups. However, such activity is also affected by international geopolitical and economic factors, and social work itself is now recognised as a ‘global profession’, so it is important to understand social work developments in an international context. Consideration of the global context and taking an international perspective are increasingly relevant to British social work developments, the education and training of social workers, and to their employment, practices and research.

The UK was an early initiator of social work as a recognised activity in the late 19th century. Similar initiatives in response to social problems, and then the establishment of education programmes, were occurring in the US and some European countries (notably Germany and the Netherlands) (Kendall, 2000). British social work developments also influenced the establishment and form of social work in various other countries around the world in the 20th century, although such developments were frequently not suited to these very different societies and have been the basis for challenge and change from the 1960s on. It is not possible to discuss this aspect of the international context further in this chapter for reasons of space (for some 21st-century examples of ‘indigenisation’ see, for instance, Grey et al, 2008). Climate change, a current issue of international concern, is giving rise to developments in environmental social work that also cannot be addressed here (see, for instance, McKinnon, 2012).

British social workers played a part in the establishment of three international associations, the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW, www.icsw.org); the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW, www.iassw-aiets.org) and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW, www.ifsw.org). These had their origins in the Paris Conference of 1928 and have all since also developed regional bodies and activities. They currently serve a worldwide membership, aiming to provide opportunities for shared learning and actions addressing local and global social problems.