Creating a world social work map: The need for an International Social Work Observatory (ISWO)

Abstract

Social work is a global force as seen in international/regional organisations such as the International Federation of Social Work, the International Association of Schools of Social Work and the European Social Work Research Association. In this brief note, it is shown that though several papers have analysed the development of social work in different countries, there does not seem to be a tool that facilitates a cross-analysis of the social work situation around the globe. The author addresses this gap and suggests an International Social Work Observatory that collects and analyses data worldwide and publishes a social work index. The author also presents a questionnaire that this observatory could use to produce a world map of social work periodically.