A transformative model for community social work rooted in basic social and economic rights is the basis of this timely Brief. With specific chapters spotlighting the rights to health care, nutritious food, and adequate and affordable housing, the book describes in depth the role of community practice in securing rights for underserved and vulnerable groups and models key aspects of rights-based work such as empowerment, participation, and collaboration. Case examples relate local struggles to larger regional and statewide campaigns, illustrating ways the book's framework can inform policymakers and improve social structures in the larger community. This rights-based perspective contrasts sharply with the deficits-based approach commonly employed in community social work, and has the potential to inspire new strategies for addressing systemic social inequality. Features of Human Rights-Based Community Practice in the United States: A conceptual basis for a rights-based approach to community practice. Detailed analysis of legal and social barriers to health care, housing, and food. Examples of effective and emerging rights-based community interventions. Methods for assessing the state of human rights at the community level. Documents, discussion questions, resource lists, and other valuable tools.

Now in its third edition, Human Rights and Social Work explores how the principles of human rights inform contemporary social work practice. Jim Ife considers the implications of social work's traditional Enlightenment heritage and the possibilities of 'post-Enlightenment' practice in a way that is accessible, direct and engaging. The world has changed significantly since the publication of the first edition in 2000 and this book is situated firmly within the context of present-day debates, concerns and crises. Ife covers the importance of relating human rights to the non-human world, as well as the consequences of political and ecological uncertainty. Featuring examples, further readings and a glossary, readers are able to identify and investigate the important issues and questions arising from human rights and social work. Now more than ever, Human Rights and Social Work is an indispensable resource for students, scholars and practitioners alike.

This volume brings together a host of scholars to address curriculum development and teaching methodologies for integrating human rights into social work education. Contributors discuss the theoretical framework and practical applications of the human rights approach in the areas of diverse human rights orientations to curriculum development; policy, research, and social justice; travel study and exchange models; and special populations. The authors press readers to address not only the human rights violations reported widely in the media, but also more familiar issues such as child welfare, poverty, food insecurity, racism, and violence against women. In addition, readers will find ideas for course design and teaching strategies and ample reference material, such as specialized treaties of specific relevance to social work, country and shadow reports, and complaint mechanisms. This book illustrates how the powerful idea of human rights can inform and transform social work education, and ultimately, professional practice.Contributors: Joseph Wronka, David Androff, Jane McPherson, Elaine Congress, Nivedita Prasad, Sandra Chadwick-Parkes, Michael Reisch, Louise Simmons, Christina Chiarelli-Helminiak, Brunilda Ferraj, Viviene Taylor, Rosemary Barbera, Shirley Gatenio Gabel, Hugo Kamya, Dennis Ritchie, Laura Guzmán Stein, Jody Olsen, Anusha Chatterjee, Robin Spath, Joyce Lee Taylor, Kirk James, Julie Smyth, Uma A. Segal, Filomena M. Critelli, DeBrenna LaFa Agbényiga, Sudha Sankar, S. Megan Berthold, Rebecca L. Thomas, Lynne M. Healy, and Kathryn R. Libal.

Encompassing community development, organizing, planning, & social change, as well as globalisation, this book is grounded in participatory & empowerment practice. The 36 chapters assess practice, theory & research methods.

Named a 2013 Doody's Core Title! "With great timing, the editors of Rights-Based Approaches to Public Health offer a targeted and innovative strategy to combat global health problems. Balanced, comprehensive, and steeped in the historical traditions of human rights, the book persuasively moves the reader from abstract conceptions of inalienable human rights to evidence-based, pragmatic solutions that highlight the systematic integration of human rights principles in human development work."--PsycCRITIQUES "The human rights framework as eloquently described in this book offers a new way for us to think about how we approach our work: from deciding when and how to intervene, to how we plan, the goals we establish, and the metrics we use to gauge the success of our efforts. Public health instructors will find many of the chapters useful for illustrating, in very concrete ways, the link between human rights and public health, providing students (and practitioners) with a new framework for analyzing public health topics and for designing and evaluating interventions. Ultimately, civil rights and civil liberties are only of value when exercised. This book will contribute to the advance of human rights by leading increasing numbers of public health practitioners to advocate for, and promote, their realization."Score: 95, 4 stars --Doody's Medical Reviews "Rights Based Approaches to Public Health provides a new perspective on addressing public health problems. It is an evidence based and cutting edge approach that provides important insights into solving ethical dilemmas. It is essential reading for anyone interested in ensuring health equity and justice." Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP Executive Director of the American Public Health Association "At root, those working in health and human rights are both animated by a similar concern: the well-being of individuals and populations. The book will be an invaluable asset to both communities as they work to achieve their common goal." From the foreword by Paul Hunt UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health (2002-2008) Rights-Based Approaches to Public Health presents a variety of public health professionals who utilize rights-based approaches in their work, the challenges they face, and the lessons they have learned. This expansive volume includes rights-based approaches with a variety of populations and across international settings. It explores environmental issues such as the right to clean air, water, and food. It examines the rights of the vulnerable, including women and children. It also includes work in difficult locations, such as prisons, high-conflict areas, and New Orleans post-Katrina. The useful tools and diverse case studies in this text provide the best models available for those interested in implementing or furthering a rights-based agenda. Key Features: Contains an overview of the key international documents regarding the right to health Provides an exploration of the efficacy of rights-based approaches to health Covers professional and ethical issues in rights-based approaches Presents systemic and policy implications, including a rights-based approach to health care reform Includes global case studies from a wide variety of noted organizations and practitioners

Social work Codes of Ethics of professional organizations around the world appeal to the concept of people having ‘rights’ that social workers need to respect and advocate for. However, it isn’t always clear how social workers can actually incorporate human rights-based approaches in their practice, whether domestic or international. This book fills this gap by advancing rights-based approaches to social work. The first part gives an overview of the relationship between human rights and social work, and outlines a model for how rights-based approaches can be integrated into social work practice. The second part introduces the rights-based framework across five mainstream areas of practice – poverty, child welfare, older adults, health, and mental health. Each of these substantive chapters: introduces the area of practice and traditional social welfare interventions associated with it outlines relevant human rights frameworks explores case studies showcasing rights-based approaches presents practical implications for implementing rights-based social work practice. The book ends with a discussion of the limitations and criticisms of rights-based approaches and lays out some future directions for practice. This accessible text is designed for all those interested in learning how to introduce human rights-based interventions into their practice. It will be of particular use to social work students taking direct practice, macro practice, social policy, international social work and human rights courses as part of their program.

Drawing on a theoretical model of coexistence premised on universality, reciprocity and inclusion, this book focusses on the development of academic social work programs and cross-border partnerships to promote social justice and peace in Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. Using the model of rights-based practice initiated by Professor Torczyner in Montreal and brought to the Middle East in the 1990s, it shows how the creation and brokering of cross-border partnerships added the concept of rights-based practice to the lexicon of these countries, established groundbreaking advocacy centers in the hearts of disadvantaged communities, developed academic social work programs, and initiated important policy changes in each country to reduce inequality and promote social inclusion. Showing how this evolving method of rights-based practice rooted in theories of coexistence was uniquely adapted in different contexts and cultures while negotiating complex, volatile political environments, it illustrates how long-term peace can be advanced when like-minded people —irrespective of nationality or religion—find ways to promote common interest and a regional culture where all people share the same rights. This book will be of interest to all social work students and practitioners interested in community organization and rights-based practice, as well as scholars, policy makers and practitioners of international development, political science, peace studies, Jewish studies, Middle Eastern studies, reconciliation, and conflict resolution.