Social work has always been shaped by the challenges and needs of its time. From its earliest organized efforts, the profession has crossed borders, shared ideas, and built partnerships to address human suffering. International social work reflects a collective commitment to justice, equality, and dignity for all people. Its story is marked by key events, visionary leaders, and a growing understanding that social issues do not stop at national boundaries. By tracing its history, we can see how shared values have guided the profession’s growth and influence, shaping responses to global crises, human rights concerns, and emerging social challenges.
The History of International Social Work
#1. 1920s: Formation Of IFSW
The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) was founded in 1928 to unite professionals across countries. It aimed to share knowledge, set ethical standards, and strengthen the profession globally. The IFSW created a formal platform for collaboration among social workers worldwide. Early efforts focused on exchanging ideas and supporting members in addressing poverty, health crises, and child welfare issues. The organization provided a voice for social work at international conferences. Its formation marked the first structured attempt to connect practitioners beyond borders. This unity laid the groundwork for the profession’s influence in shaping policies and responding to global needs.
#2. 1946: UN Established
The United Nations was founded in 1946 after World War II to promote peace and cooperation. Social work became linked to its goals, especially in humanitarian aid and human rights. The UN’s creation expanded the scope of social work to a truly international stage. Social workers partnered with UN agencies to help refugees, rebuild communities, and address post-war trauma. This period saw the profession align with global development objectives. The UN also provided funding, research opportunities, and international policy influence. By working with the UN, social workers could address systemic issues affecting vulnerable populations in multiple nations.
#3. 1950s: Growth Of Global Social Work Education
In the 1950s, social work education expanded rapidly, supported by scholarships and international exchanges. This decade established education as the backbone of professional social work worldwide. Schools of social work emerged in Africa, Asia, and Latin America with guidance from established institutions. Training programs incorporated both local contexts and international best practices. Collaboration between universities fostered curriculum development and research. Graduates were equipped to address complex social issues at national and cross-border levels. The decade also saw the birth of specialized fields like medical and psychiatric social work, preparing professionals for increasingly diverse social challenges.
#4. 1960s: Emergence Of Social Development
The 1960s brought a shift from individual casework toward community-based social development. Social work embraced development as a core strategy for reducing inequality. Many countries gained independence during this decade, creating urgent needs for nation-building. Social workers collaborated with governments on housing, education, and rural development projects. The profession emphasized empowering communities to solve their own problems. International agencies funded programs addressing poverty, illiteracy, and health disparities. This era also highlighted the importance of cultural sensitivity in program design. Social workers adapted methods to respect local traditions while promoting long-term, sustainable change in developing nations.
#5. 1980s: Social Work In International Development
By the 1980s, social work was deeply involved in international development projects. Professionals applied social work principles to large-scale economic and social reforms. Global debt crises and structural adjustment policies affected vulnerable populations. Social workers advocated for marginalized groups impacted by economic reforms. They worked in partnership with NGOs, governments, and the World Bank to create safety nets. Training programs prepared workers for disaster relief, refugee support, and rural poverty interventions. The profession’s voice grew louder in development debates, stressing that economic growth must be paired with social protection. This decade cemented social work’s role in development policy discussions.
#6. 1990s: Globalization’s Impact
The 1990s brought rapid globalization, increasing migration, economic integration, and cultural exchange. Social work adapted to address social problems that crossed national boundaries. Issues like human trafficking, HIV/AIDS, and refugee crises demanded global cooperation. Technology connected professionals faster, enabling knowledge sharing and coordinated responses. International codes of ethics were strengthened to guide practice across diverse legal systems. Social workers played key roles in advocacy at international forums, influencing policies on labor rights, environmental justice, and public health. This period reinforced the need for cross-cultural skills and flexible strategies to address both local and international dimensions of social problems.
#7. 2000s: Focus On Human Rights
In the 2000s, the profession made human rights a central framework for practice. Social work declared the promotion and protection of human rights as a professional duty. International guidelines linked social work practice to human rights law. Practitioners addressed discrimination, inequality, and violations through advocacy and service delivery. Training emphasized legal literacy, ensuring social workers could use international law to protect clients. The profession built alliances with human rights organizations to address systemic injustices. Global campaigns raised awareness of issues like child labor, gender-based violence, and indigenous rights. This era reinforced social work as both a helping and rights-defending profession.
#8. 2010: Global Agenda Adopted
In 2010, the IFSW, IASSW, and ICSW launched the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development. The Global Agenda set a unified vision for addressing social challenges worldwide. It identified four pillars: promoting social and economic equality, enabling dignity and worth, promoting environmental sustainability, and strengthening recognition of the profession. The Agenda encouraged collaboration between practitioners, educators, and policymakers. It also provided measurable commitments, guiding national and regional initiatives. The adoption signaled a coordinated approach to global issues. Social work became more strategic in influencing policy and mobilizing resources to achieve shared international objectives.
#9. 2020s: Climate Change Focus
The 2020s placed climate change at the forefront of international social work. The profession recognized environmental crises as social justice issues. Climate-related disasters displaced communities, worsened poverty, and deepened inequalities. Social workers engaged in disaster preparedness, community resilience building, and advocacy for environmental policy reform. The profession partnered with climate scientists, activists, and policymakers to address both immediate needs and long-term solutions. Training programs incorporated climate justice into social work education. This decade reinforced the link between ecological health and human well-being. International networks coordinated rapid responses to disasters, showing the profession’s adaptability and global solidarity in crisis.
Key Figures in International Social Work
#1. Jane Addams
Jane Addams co-founded Hull House in Chicago in 1889, pioneering community-based social work. She promoted peace, education, and social reform at both local and international levels. Addams worked to improve living conditions for immigrants and the poor. She played a key role in the founding of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. Her advocacy extended to child labor laws, women’s rights, and public health reforms. In 1931, she became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Addams’ vision connected grassroots work with global humanitarian goals, shaping the profession’s commitment to social justice.
#2. Eglantyne Jebb
Eglantyne Jebb founded the Save the Children Fund in 1919. She authored the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, later adopted by the League of Nations. Jebb dedicated her life to protecting children affected by war and poverty. She used public campaigns to raise awareness of child welfare as a global responsibility. Her work influenced international policies and laid the foundation for the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Jebb proved that advocacy could change laws and shift public opinion. Her legacy remains central to social work’s mission of protecting vulnerable children worldwide.
#3. Edward Franklin Frazier
Edward Franklin Frazier was a leading African American sociologist and social worker. He exposed systemic racism and its impact on Black communities. Frazier’s research on the African American family challenged stereotypes and informed public policy. He advocated for racial equality in education, employment, and housing. His work influenced civil rights activism and international discussions on race relations. Frazier represented the U.S. at UNESCO, promoting cultural understanding. His commitment to confronting racial injustice positioned him as a vital voice in linking social work with social change on a global scale.
#4. Bertha Capen Reynolds
Bertha Capen Reynolds advanced radical social work theory in the early 20th century. She argued that social work must address structural inequality, not just individual needs. Reynolds linked economic systems with social problems, urging practitioners to engage in political action. She developed training programs that emphasized social justice and worker advocacy. Her writing inspired generations of social workers to confront power imbalances. Reynolds’ insistence on merging theory with activism influenced the profession’s approach to systemic change. Her work remains a reference point for those addressing inequality at both national and international levels.
#5. Mary Richmond
Mary Richmond is considered the founder of modern casework. She developed systematic methods for assessing and helping clients. Richmond’s book, “Social Diagnosis” (1917), became a foundational text in social work education. She emphasized the importance of understanding both individual circumstances and broader social conditions. Her work established casework as a disciplined, evidence-based practice. Richmond’s methods influenced programs worldwide, standardizing approaches to client assessment. By combining compassion with rigorous analysis, she helped professionalize social work, ensuring it could adapt to different cultural and international contexts.
#6. Whitney Young
Whitney Young was a civil rights leader and social worker who directed the National Urban League from 1961 to 1971. He worked to integrate African Americans into the economic and political mainstream. Young advised U.S. presidents on civil rights and social policy. He promoted equal access to education, employment, and housing. His leadership extended internationally, where he advocated for racial equality in development programs. Young’s pragmatic approach bridged activism with policy reform. His influence demonstrated how social workers can operate effectively in both advocacy movements and governmental decision-making arenas.
#7. Frances Perkins
Frances Perkins served as the first female U.S. Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945. She was a key architect of social security and labor protections. Perkins championed unemployment insurance, minimum wage laws, and workplace safety regulations. She drew on her social work background to craft policies that balanced economic growth with human welfare. Perkins’ efforts influenced labor standards beyond the U.S., contributing to international labor agreements. Her career proved that social work values could shape large-scale policy reforms. Perkins remains an example of how professional expertise can transform social and economic systems.
Closing Thoughts
The history of international social work shows a profession that grows with the challenges of each era. From early cooperation among nations to addressing climate change, social workers have remained committed to justice, equality, and dignity. Key figures demonstrated that leadership can take many forms, from grassroots action to policy reform. The profession’s global reach ensures that no issue is too distant or complex to address. By learning from the past, social work can continue to adapt and lead. The lessons of history remind us that meaningful change requires persistence, collaboration, and a vision that includes all people.