Social Work Education

The Global Standards for Social Work Education and Training: Implementation Progress, Successes and Future Directions

Social Work Education: The International Journal invites submissions for a special edition examining the implementation progress, successes and future directions arising from the Global Standards for Social Work Education and Training (2020).

The Global Standards for Social Work Education and Training (Global Standards) serves as an adaptable international framework designed to strengthen pedagogical practices, professional benchmarks, and institutional structures in social work education worldwide. Since 2020, the Global Standards have been implemented across diverse geopolitical and cultural contexts. This momentum was amplified by a global engagement with the launch of the Global Standards E-learning platform in 2023. As the profession navigates a complex landscape - addressing post-pandemic adaptations and responding to urgent challenges such as environmental justice, digital pedagogy, and decolonisation of curricula, the Global Standards must dynamically evolve to capture these shifting realities.

This special issue seeks to examine these emerging developments, offering critical insights that will steer the future direction and responsiveness of the global framework. By synthesising theoretical insights, empirical research, and case studies across diverse institutional and educational landscapes, this edition will critically examine the dynamics of Global Standards’ implementation, highlighting the innovations, challenges, and adaptations required to align local systems with global aspirations. Ultimately, drawing from success stories and lessons learned, this special edition aims to identify strategies to enhance the adoption of the Global Standards, and foster dialogue on the future of social work education.

Potential Topics:

• Pedagogical innovations aligned with the Global Standards.
• Benchmarking and accreditation processes in diverse regions.
• E-learning platforms and digital equity in standardised education.
• Decolonising curricula while adhering to global frameworks.
• Ethical dilemmas in transnational practice education.
• Environmental justice integration into social work curricula.
• Contextual factors for implementing Global Standards.