Raoul Wallenberg: His Lessons for the Social Work Profession

With globalization and what Willem Blok (2012) has described as the development of a singular international identity and growing joint body of knowledge for social work, there is no better time to reexamine and reevaluate that identity and body of knowledge. Furthermore, there may be no better addition to this body of knowledge than the work of Raoul Wallenberg. These years of turmoil have highlighted that social work has to be defined not by its function for the state but by its value base. Above all, it has been a stark lesson in the need for collective organization, both to defend a vision of social work based on social justice and to defend the working conditions that make it possible. Through his work, Raoul Wallenberg gives us a perspective, a framework, and a model of both best practice and delivery of it. His is the story of both the very best and the very worst, showing us the extremes of possibility and of risk - a 'one-stop shop' of learning in principles and practice, action, impact, and inspiration. We frequently see conferences now on themes such as social work and social development, global health, and well-being. Wallenberg has already been there and done that - he is the standard bearer, and his work is the benchmark. Adapted from the source document.