Role of social work in responding to forced migration

The recent past has seen a significant rise in the number of forcibly displaced people, with the latest UNHCR estimate indicating some 79.5 million people forcibly displaced globally. Their lives paint a complex picture of human rights violations, war, xenophobia, rape, political persecution and dealing with the effects of climate change. Many are in need of vital resources for survival, care and protection.

Social workers have a key role to play in responding to the suffering of refugees. The process of leaving one’s home and the social, psychological, legal and economic ramifications are immense. Understanding more about the experiences of those who are forcibly displaced, the challenges they face, their precarity and resilience, and the valuable contributions they make to the host communities are critical issues.

This webinar jointly organised by the University of Edinburgh, University College Dublin, University of Johannesburg and the University of Lund under the Universitas21 framework aims to examine the role of social in responding to forced migration.

The webinar brings together latest research findings on the lives of refugees from five countries and provides an opportunity to discuss and reflect on social work’s commitment to social justice and a shared humanity with those who are forcibly displaced.

Webinar topics:

Welcome and introduction/chair (Shahana Rasool, University of Johannesburg, South Africa)

Forced migrants, human rights and COVID19: Implications for social work practice in the Global South (Ajwang’ Warria, Department of Social Work, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa)

Problematised parenting: the regulation of parenting practices within reception centres for Syrian refugees in Ireland - lessons for social work practice (Muireann Ní Raghallaigh, University College Dublin, Rep of Ireland)

Rights and protection of children and adolescents in migratory contexts in Chile: tensions, dilemmas and progress (Sara Joiko, Postdoctoral Researcher, Instituto de Estudios Internacionales, Arturo Prat, Chile)

Unprotected children: unaccompanied migrant children in Sweden (Emma Söderman and Norma Montesino, School of Social Work, Lund University,, Sweden)

Reproductive health needs of adolescent refugees in camp settings in Jordan – Conceptualising a social work response (George Palattiyil, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom)

Q&A and vote of thanks – (Steve Kirkwood, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom)

Date: 22 June 2021Time 1500 – 1700 (BST)

Registration via Eventbrite

Platform: Zoom (link will be sent on the morning of the event)

Organised under the Universitas 21 Framework

Please note that this event will be recorded. Please see our privacy statement here.