Mapping international social work education: A research proposal toward rethinking social work education and professional practice in Nigeria

ABSTRACT It is universally accepted that the principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. My thesis aims to investigate the values of “human rights,“ “social justice,” ”respect for diversities,” and its relevance to the practice of social work in Nigeria. This research examines existing paradigms within the domains of law and social sciences that frame the basis for human rights and social justice in social work. Within the sub-fields of international social work and globalization I interrogate the core foundations of social work’s commitment to equality, social justice and human rights as expressed and practiced in social work education (within the socio-economic realities of imperialism and historical context of colonialism) in Nigeria.