Collaborative Practice across Borders: Experiences of Australian Social Work Practice in East Timor, 2000–1

Abstract

This article describes aspects of social work intervention by Australian practitioners in Timor Loro Sa'e (East Timor) in 2000–11. It draws on the author's experience there in 2000–1 and the role of an Australian government-funded community mental health service. East Timor is the world's newest nation and is in the process of rebuilding itself across all dimensions—physical, economic, political, social, environmental and personal. The author reflects on the contribution of social work to this development process and poses questions that challenged colleagues working in the agency at the time. It is argued that a human rights perspective provides a framework for western social work practice in situations such as the rebuilding of East Timor.