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Abstract

This article explores how social work is understood as a profession in the Pacific region, alongside forces of globalisation and the consequent neo-colonialism that can emerge where Western models are perceived as superior to indigenous models of social work. Eight Western Sydney University social work students who completed their final 500-hour field practicums in Fiji and Samoa between 2013 and 2015 provided feedback on their experience. Issues include the lack of recognition of social work as a profession, as it is often perceived to occur naturally within Pacific cultures, and the role of social work education in preparing qualified practitioners.

Keywords

Indigenous neo-colonial Pacific Islands social work education social work profession

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Social work as a recognised profession in the Pacific region

Abstract

Keywords

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