Integrating Economic, Environmental and Social

Well-being into Social Work Research, Teaching and

PracticeDorothy N. Gamble

Clinical Assoc. Professor Emerita, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, U.S.A.

dee_gamble@unc.eduSocial Work /Social Development 2012: Action and

Impact, July 9, 2012, Stockholm

Traditional ‘Person-in-Environment’ Concept

Primary focus on how social environment affects individual problems

person

Nurturing environment

Sustaining environment

21st Century “Person-And-Environment” Well-being Concept

Dynamic, reciprocal, and interactive relationships among people and social, economic, political and natural environments

Healthy biosphere is essential Interactive, purposeful engagement for

long term social, economic and environmental sustainability

21st Century Person-And-Environment

Well-being Concept

Biosphere; natural environment

community

Dynamic, reciprocal and interactive relationships

21st Century Transformation Needed

Values and Princip les req uired for s ustai nable de velop ment : Socia l Justi c e, Human Rights, Dive rsity, Humility, Advoca cy ,

Equalit y, Opportunit y, Re sponsibilit y and Communit y.

Degr aded Environ mental S ys tems

Healthy Biosp here & Environm en tal

Sys tems

Dys func tional Social Sys tems

Over c o ns umption, Pop ulatio n Growth, Re ckles s Extrac tion, &

Exploitatio n in Eco nom ic Sys tems c o ntributing to

Climate Change an d Wider Dis parities in I nco me

Su ppo rtive & Inc lusi ve Soc ial Sys tems

Wide range o f Livel ihoo d &

Econom ic Sys tems

Priority Themes for 21st Century SW & SD

Economic justice & elimination of debilitating physical and emotional effects of poverty

Social Justice & elimination of exclusion/oppression because of difference

Decrease violence and promote safety at all levels

End environmental destruction, restore and protect natural resources

Goals and Improved Outputs for 21st Century

Well-being Social Well-being Economic and Livelihood Well-

being Political/Civic Well-being Environmental Well-being(handout provides some suggested

goals)

Role of Social Work in 21st Century Well-being

Local community level roles - Increase active social workers engaged with community members

Regional and state level roles - Funding for action research for well-being goals

National and international level roles - Collaborative lobbying for economic, social, & environmental justice; decreasing violence and promoting safety

Resources for Action

The Biosphere and all Natural

Resource Systems

Social Systems

Economic & Livelihood Systems

e.g. clean air, water, food, minerals, wood, fisheries, healthy soil, all elements to sustain life and the beauty of nature

e.g. all the built and manufactured capital; housing, hospitals, airports, transport, communication and livelihood systems; distribution, barter, financial and exchange systems

e.g. the health, knowledge and skills of people; relationships with family, neighbors, communities, helping institutions, companies, governments; connections with social, cultural, religious and work groups

Dynamic, Reciprocal Human Interaction; Ethical and Competent Social Work Leadership

and Action in Research, Teaching & Practice

Resources for Developing Global Visions and Benchmarks for

Improved Well-beingVisions:• Richard Estes (1993; Website 1984-2009)• Marie Hoff (1994; 1998; 2012)• Jef Peeters (2011; 2012)• Vandana Shiva (2005; 2008)Benchmarks:• Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Social Justice in OECD• Bruni, Comin & Pugno (2008) Capabilities &

Happiness• Manfred Max-Neef - Human Scale Development• Human Development Report (1990-2011)

Leadership, Political Will and Collaboration

Moving Social Work and Social Development Into Action for the 21st Century