Social Work and Human Rights

Abstract

This chapter discusses social work as a human rights profession. After a brief review of the concept of human rights, we describe the historical connection between social work and human rights, presenting core examples for how social work was extensively involved in human rights advocacy in its formative years. Specially mentioned are some of the central leaders and founders of social work who advocated for human rights around the world. The chapter also discusses the current connection between social work and human rights by showing how the principle of human rights is expressed in the ethics and values in social work around the world, making human rights a clear part of the social work mission. Finally, we present how the idea of human rights can be implemented in social work practice. At the end of the chapter is an exercise box to aid further discussion on these topics.