Welcome to Social Work 523,
Advocacy and Social Action
for Professional Social Workers.
My name is Kathryn Audette,
but you can call me Kate,
and I will be your
instructor for this course.
One of the founding mothers
of social work, Jane Addams,
once said that,
"Action indeed is
the sole medium of
expression for ethics."
I am thrilled that
you're here and thrilled
that you're enrolled
in this class,
because we are going to
engage in social action
as we keep an eye to the
NASW code of ethics, which
is our profession's
guiding document,
describing our mission
to enhance human being
and help meet the basic
human needs of all people.
The code of ethics calls
on us to do this while
paying particular attention
to the needs and empowerment
of people who are
vulnerable, oppressed,
and living in poverty.
The social work core values
of service, social justice,
and dignity and
worth of the person
are the foundation of our
unique purpose and perspective.
I believe that this is what
unites us as a profession.
Regardless of age, gender,
race, or political affiliation,
we are united by our shared
values and the profound belief
in opportunity for all, and
the idea that everyone deserves
a chance to reach
their full potential.
Now, I also believe that these
core values are currently
being challenged in
profoundly troubling ways.
So what can we do about
it, you might ask.
Well, I want to tell
you're in the right place.
In this course, we will strive
to understand the person
and environment
paradigm, and understand
how legislative and
political advocacy intersect
with clinical social
work practice.
We're going to learn how to be a
part of broad based coalitions,
build partnerships, and work
with both allies and opponents.
And we're going to
have the opportunity
to hear from social workers
who have lived experience,
fighting to expand
the possibilities
of individual achievement,
social workers
who have first hand
experience of promoting
social justice,
fairness, and equality.
