International Social Work Speaker Series

Presented by: IU International Social Work Network

Please join us for lunch or dinner!

Learn more about international social work issues and the experiences & expertise of our esteemed colleagues and faculty.

ES building, 4^th floor, Room 4130, IUPUI

1 CEU applied per session!

Thursday, October 11^th: 12N-1pm

Speaker: Dr. Valerie Chang; Topic: “Social Work in Ethiopia”

I recently had the opportunity to spend a few weeks in Ethiopia teaching a PhD course, Teaching and Pedagogy in Social Work, at the University of Addis Ababa . In Ethiopia there are many very serious social problems and almost no government supported social programs. In this meeting I will talk about what I learned about the social problems in Ethiopia and something about what social workers are doing to respond to these problems.

Wednesday, October 17^th: 12N-1pm

Speaker: Dr. Manoj Pardasani Topic: “Integrating American values and western social work norms into the international context”

The session will discuss common concerns regarding adaptation to an international placement. Challenges experienced by students in placement and coping strategies will be discussed. International practice in developing countries will be analyzed. Come prepared with questions!

Wednesday, October 24^th: 4:45pm-5:45pm

Speaker: Dr. Carmen Luca Topic: “Educational Devlopment for Croatia’s NGO’s”

AED's Support for Croatia's NGO program (CroNGO) was a USAID democracy funded program which aimed to increase the ability of Croatia's civil society to contribute to democratic, economic, and community development. Working over 8 years with civil society organizations and other Croatian democracy players, the program focused on improving NGOs' capacity and legitimacy and on activating citizens to advocate for and effect changes which improve their quality of life by providing grants, training, and technical assistance to NGOs and citizen groups countrywide to address issues related to advocacy, domestic funding, voluntarism, transparency and professionalism, community mobilization, public perception, cross-sectoral cooperation, and the legal environment.

Tuesday, October 30^th: 12N-1:00pm

Speaker: Lalit Kumar, PhD Student Topic: “Birth Decides Your Destined Slavery: Hidden Apartheid in India”

More than 260 million people worldwide are daily subjected to the dehumanizing practices linked to untouchability and caste discrimination. They are considered lesser human beings and are prevented from participating in political, economic, social and cultural life on an equal footing with other citizens. These suffering and atrocities against a quarter billion population of Indian is result of age old social religious sanctions in India. It is around 2000 years of untouchability practices are continuing under auspices of Hindu religion. And many more on this apartheid …

Thursday, November 8^th: 12N-1:00pm

Speaker: Dr. Irene R. Queiro-Tajalli

Topic: “When the voiceless revolt, do the forces of global oppression listen? Lessons from Latin America”

This presentation will focus on the socio-economic and political situation of selected countries in Latin America and the actions taken by the marginalized to make their voices heard by the institutions of global oppression. Have they succeeded? Join us for this presentation and decide for yourself.

Wednesday, November 14^th 12N-1pm

Speaker: Dr. Khadija Khaja

Topic: “Global Human Rights and Cultural Competencies”

I will go over some issues related to human rights, and cross-cultural practice. Social work practice in different continents will be also discussed. Global social justice issues that developing countries are facing will be illustrated. I will also talk about things to think of when students are interested in doing international placements to make the process a better learning environment. A large part of the course will focus on our own assumptions, and biases about cultures different from us.