Decolonization and Social Work Education

Abstract

Decolonization promotes emancipation and liberation. In Aotearoa New Zealand, decolonization processes are becoming more predominant in social work education. This means the students can explore their cultural positioning under Te Tiriti o Waitangi from their own cultural lens. This chapter highlights the importance of social work education supporting a decolonization approach and provides examples of how this could be constructed. Decolonization can be a transformational experience for students who have chosen a career in social work. To be able to feel secure in oneself, secure in where one comes from, aware of the histories and herstories, and able to navigate transformational change is a powerful position to be in as a social worker. The transformational change ensures the participant of decolonization is informed of clear expectations on how to move forward into a social work profession.