But from a Social Work point of view, it’s obvious that is has had a profound effect on this specific sector. Some amazing and positives ways I would say it has changed would be our service delivery, instead of focusing on the ‘local’ problem individuals are looking at the picture in a much wider scope. For example, helping a homeless person by getting accommodation, but also considering why that individual is homeless, finding out what is happening in the economy for so many individuals/families to be or have become homeless, etc.

 I also think how we as individuals practice and communicate with clients and/or communities has changed over the course of maybe the last 50-60 years. Globalisation has given individuals/communities/countries international news, the internet, facebook, etc. which can all be considered an outside view to what is out of their intimate surroundings, while both educating and exposing them to different cultures, social customs, ideas and ultimately the integration among different nations. 

While the positive side to globalisation is progressive and effective, there are also negatives that consequence social workers from both a local and global scale. For example, a major social problem that effects both on a local and global scale is human trafficking. Although it has happened for hundreds of years, modern day slavery (only really shoved onto the world stage in the 1990s) is a business that has always generated alarming amounts of profit. One can easily link human trafficking back to the phenomena of globalisation; and sadly, like most things, globalisation does have its pros and cons. 

Vast volumes of information inundate us, and in times of compassion fatigue this may appear to be burdensome when this information is about undesirable things happening around us. This is especially so as we are in a very hands-on, hearts-on profession.

However, I hope that Eloise will also consider the usefulness of this knowledge in our future practice as social workers. The greater reach of this knowledge possibly means that we will find it easier to locate those from other helping professions who share similar burdens. This will aid us in coming up with more considered, multi-disciplinary approaches in empowering those who could do with some help.

In such tumultuous times, ignorance may seem to be bliss. As such, I applaud Eloise for still considering the many issues in both her heart and mind because it displays her willingness to be an active citizen in a world that clearly needs all of us to cooperate for the greater good.

It is also true that globalisation has given us more options with regard to how we communicate with our clients, e.g. online counselling. However, – beyond those who do not have the means to purchase devices – this privilege of being able to use technology is also withheld from those who were born before the digital age: elderly who are less educated. If said elderly client cannot or does not know how to use communication technology, then this benefit of globalisation will not apply to both worker and client; the good old home visit will still have to be employed.

It is clear that globalisation has simultaneously unified and separated us in an increasingly complex world. It is my hope that we will continually think of and execute means in which we can discover and share the unique benefits it presents to us, for the good of all.

I too have struggled to grasp whether globalisation is negative or positive, and the more I come to understand the phenomenon the more I can see that globalisation can be both, particularly to different groups, communities and individuals. I feel this is highlighted through your example of fruit not being in season. Either way, as a social work practitioner I am aware that the clients in which I will work alongside will more often have been impacted on negatively due to globalisation. I feel that globalisation creates problems so vast and variable globally, internationally and locally that social workers feel that they are unable to create change at such a scale in their day-to-day practice and I wish to challenge this through my work. I feel being further educated in regards to globalisation and its both negative and positive implications, will only broaden my view of the world as a practitioner, and help me to understand social justice in terms of global justice. 

I do agree with you in saying that globalisation creates opportunities in regards to social cohesion and cultural knowledge, but I would disagree that globalisation is predominantly a western discourse, to some degree.  I think financially, the Global North does have a heavy influence on globalisation and more often than not, this can influence the Global South negatively. Despite this, I do reject the idea that there is a strong push from the Global North to push their ideas and values onto the Global South. I can see that the media and politicians play a part in globalisation othering groups in the Global South (take your example of refugees), but I feel that a majority of Australians are not in agreement with this at a local level. For another local example, it sometimes almost feels as if Pauline Hanson is our prime minister with the media coverage she has received in recent times. Despite this, she still does not represent a majority of people’s values in Australia or she would indeed be in charge.