The primary mission of social workers is to help people meet their basic human needs, particularly those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and/or living in poverty. The profession’s mission and related practice activities are largely dependent on local, state, and federal policies—including the systems that implement their programs and services—which are largely outdated, discriminatory, and/or fail to deliver, as evidenced by numerous negative and discriminatory outcomes.
Existing structural disparities could be addressed through the social and political action of social workers, yet despite ethical obligations to participate, organized efforts are currently limited as most students and practitioners are not politically active. As the social work profession continues to shift its focus toward clinical practice, social workers are increasingly assisting their clients in meeting their needs under ineffective and discriminatory systems rather than changing the systems themselves.
Thus, the UNC Wilmington School of Social Work created the Political Social Work Initiative (PSWI) to maximize the political power of students, social workers, and their clients—as well as minimize structural, adverse outcomes—through education and meaningful political action, with goals of systemic and transformative social change. Following the example set by the very first social workers who were strong advocates for social and political change, the initiative will lead and assist PSW efforts at the local, state, and federal levels so that all individuals may be able to inclusively and equitably meet their basic needs.
