Human rights protection in the information society and social work education : implications for curriculum and practice modifications

Abstract

This draft paper a) Explores teaching Social Work students to understand and be prepared to take responsibility as professionals in the quickly evolving Information Society, copying with new dilemmas on human rights protection, adjusting old methods and developing new skills in service provision and delivery systems. b) It is suggesting, therefore, the inextricable link of information technology use and expansion with goals of social justice and human well-being. As the latter is the ultimate goals of social work practice, one can easily understand that Social Work curricula can no longer ignore coursework on the morphology and characteristics of the Information Society, on the values and ethical dilemmas inherent in the use of the New Technologies, or on the new kind of human relationships and new common human needs it develops. c) It pinpoints on some social work alert issues presented in our current times and proceeds with certain suggestions on methods and skills for the practitioner, who wishes to serve in the human rights field of practice.