Research Informed Competencies for Human Rights Field Education in Social Work

Abstract

Using four research projects completed since 2016, the authors highlight the importance of social work field education in human rights and illuminate potential core competencies that are relevant to students' learning about human rights violations that can occur during forced migration, including refugee transit and resettlement. The four competencies the authors came to identify through their research are relevant to helping students develop as social work professionals engaged in human rights protection and advancement. These competencies are (1) recognizing and labeling human rights violations, (2) understanding positive and negative human rights as protective factors, (3) witnessing people's plight resulting from human rights violations, and (4) appreciating the systemic impact of human rights violations on human well-being. The authors suggest the development of two field education structures that support student learning of those competencies. One structure is the human rights observatory in which students can learn firsthand about human rights violations and their consequences through interactions with people who have experienced such violations. Another structure is the human rights intervention design workshop in which students can work collaboratively with others, particularly those who have experienced forced migration and ensuing rights violations, in creating innovative community support systems, particularly for resettlement.