In this minor, we will introduce the social worker to variousless non-dominant and non-Western perspectives on different transnational issues as social inequality, conflict, migration and climate change.
As a social worker, just as any other citizen, you look at social challenges from your own contextual frame of reference. Many of these challenges however cross national and cultural borders. Therefore, learning about other perspectives is a necessity
In today's work field, it has become increasingly challenging to come up with relevant responses to the various problems faced by minority or oppressed groups. By teaching about different voices, methods and practices from around the world, this minor enables you to further develop a fundamentally democratic attitude and to act more inclusively as a social worker to be.
Learning about non-Western perspectives aligns with the global movement of decolonising education and social practices in society.
What will I learn?
Topics covered in this minor are:
- Decolonisation
- Postcolonial practices in the work with migrants
- Conflict and (neo)colonial peacebuilding
- Socio-ecological transitions
Voices from around the world with a focus on oppressed narratives from here and elsewhere in the world inspire us to engage with the topics in the field.
The main objectives of this minor are:
- You reflect on your own frame of reference, how this may be different from others and how this may have an impact in the field.
- You develop insights into (neo-)colonial processes (including racism and discrimination, social inequalities etc), reflect on how this still has an impact on contemporary global challenges and gain insights into possible alternatives.
- You will learn how, as a social worker, you can concretely contribute to processes of change from the perspective of decolonisation.
- You gradually develop a more open attitude, by exploring different perspectives, which finally makes your view on transnational topics more nuanced.
"No one educates anyone else nor do we educate ourselves, we educate one another in collunion in the context of living in this world"