SOCIAL and Community Development Practice
Manohar Pawar
Sage Publication 2014, 320 pages, hard
cover
Resurrecting
social work education and practice for social development
There
are endless books on this topic but this book targets social work educators,
professionals in particular and grass- roots development practitioners. Avoiding
traditional style of narratives, the author provides a detailed argument for
social work professionals to revisit the core content and position the
programme and practice in the context of macro policies and micro realities of
the nation without compromising basic values of social work.
This
assumes importance since in the developing south Afro-Asian counties the bulk
of social work trainees’ only exposure and learning experience to field
practice are community settings. This is essentially due to the absence of appropriate
clinical, institutional settings at regional and sub- regional levels and such
clinical settings may not be needed the way they exist in the developed world
The
book is divided into four major sections with a foreword note from Professor
Emeritus Dr. David Cox of La Trobe University, Australia
The
first section- Social and Community Development (SCD) Practice, briefly and
authentically captures various concepts in vogue without any ideology bias. The
concepts are discussed as facts and practice as stated in times of
evolution. Prof.Pawar passionately
provides a clear academic platform for adopting social and community
development practice at the local level and its significance in the era of
globalization and international issues on development.
The
second section Education for Social Policy and International SCD, is a more
pragmatic for social work educators and practitioners. Social work education in
SOUTH countries focuses more narrative information on Government programmes
than focusing on its implications for people’s development and social
development. The author has done a commendable
work of providing a tool kit for developing and teaching social policy and
international social work in the social work curriculum.
In
the third section, Prof.Pawar provides a critical review of Indian social work
education and practice scenario; may be, due to his deep roots in the country.
Chapter 7 is most interesting for all social work educators
.His sound argument on ‘Professional Imperialism’ is worth everyone’s
attention. Mentoring is an important part of any professional programme. The
Higher Education policy of the Government for the last two decades created a
big knowledge gap among the educators diretly affecting the trainees today.
Most of the issues raised by the author and perceived HOPE for the future worth
its salt for the future of social work education.
In
the last section Prf.Pawar takes the concept forward for its practice across
cultures and races.
The
book provides a neutral, objective and analytical approach to reorient social
work education, trainers and practitioners to a newer level of social work
practice and I whole heartedly recommend it to social work students, educators
and practitioners working in government and nongovernment organizations
REVIEWED
BY: L.S.GHANDI DOSS, Formerly Professor of social work, Bangalore University,
INDIA
