Social work originates from humanitarian, religious, and democratic ideals and philosophies, and has universal applications to meet human needs arising from personal-societal interactions. Professional social workers are dedicated to service for the welfare and self-fulfillment of human beings; to the disciplined use of scientific knowledge regarding human and societal behavior; to the development of resources to meet individual, group, national, and international needs and aspirations; and to the achievement of social justice. This handbook raises issues such as, Are there globally recognized values of social work? Is there a model of international practice that is applicable across the range of interventions—micro to mezzo to macro? Do social workers have a professional identity which unites them the world over? This handbook covers the five continents of the globe by presenting the state of the art theory and practice of social work within selected countries which have a legacy of social work, either imported from the west or indigenously developed within the country. In the context of conditions prevalent in these countries the handbook highlights the constant challenges facing social workers and social work organizations to meet the needs of the individuals and societies they service.
