Revitalizing radical social work in 21st century: practical opportunities for social change Ana Miljenović, prof. Nino Žganec Study Centre for Social Work, Faculty of Law, Zagreb, Croatia

Radical ideas in social work Existing since beginnings of social work Further conceptualization in 70’s Ideology, not reality of social work? Revitalizing now days as a part of critical paradigm concerning global and multidimensional inequalities How can social work promote, enhance and be involved in social change?

Practical opportunities for social work to be involved in social change 1. Demonstrative activities 2. Cooperative activities 3. Formative activities 4 Transformative activities

1. Demonstrative activities Aim: to raise public conscious on: - issue: its’ range, resource distribution, structural factors that influence - and action: promoting that change is possible, people have capacity and responsibility to act ˝public˝ includes politicians, experts, media, various stakeholders, population in general…

Demonstrative activities (II) e.g. Festival for equal opportunities: Organised every year by alliance of NGO’s for people with disability In centre of Croatia capital city promote various aspects of their creative life and rights

Cooperative activities AIM: Finding partners, exchanging resources and creating pressure -Widening and strengthening social partnership at all levels -Partners can be found among co-workers, social work clients, other professionals, media representatives, public agencies, scientist… -Various forms of collaboration: networks, alliances, coalitions, pressure groups -E.g. NGO’s in Croatia interested in gender issues built alliance and made significant public pressure

Formative activities AIM: have impact on social work students to profile themselves as social activists transfer of specific knowledge and experiences about radical approach to social work students. Stronger binding of social work education with the „real life“ of social work clients as an alternative to prevailing evidence based epistemology in social sciences

Transformative activities Direct impact on a)Available resources and services b)Changing legislative framework- Social workers have to be familiar with national and international legislative processes as well as possibilities to be actively involved -The most challenging activity? e.g. In Croatia, engagement of NGO’s for people with disability’ rights contributed to entering and ombudsman for people with disability institute

Conclusion Social change is complex assignment of social work Its complexity can influence on resistance of social worker to get involved Thus, proposed set of activities can be useful guide Social work has capacity to be initiating and coordinating force and develop sustainable platform for further social activism

For further discussion: 1.Do you find radical paradigm relevant in today’s social work? 2.What are the real aims/possibilities/barriers for social workers in implementing radical ideas in their everyday practice? 3.Are there concrete examples of radical practice in your practical settings?

Thank you for your attention