The future of social work

Question 1

We live in a time of multiple crisis:

Answer 1

• Climate change (sea levels, storms, fires, etc)
• Pollution
• Species extinction and loss of biodiversity
• Population growth
• Economic crisis
• Pollution
• Resource depletion

Question 2

Reactions:

Answer 2

• Denial.
• Soft denial (going on as though nothing is happening).
• Belief in technology and ‘human ingenuity’.
• Belief the current system can solve it.
• Belief in the possibility of transformation.
• Acceptance that is is too late- but we can try and reduce the impact.

Question 3

The post-human:

Answer 3

Two veins of ‘post-human’:

• Re-embed humanity with the natural world.
• Integrate with technology.

Question 4

How does this impact social work?

Answer 4

• Help create alternatives.
• Help cope with despair.
• Help promote important progress/skills.
• Activism.

Question 5

What knowledges do social workers need?

Answer 5

• Diverse cultural approaches.

- An understanding of technology.