The social work profession has never been more challenged by the demands of modern society and a series of critical discussion points for the profession will be raised by Charles Sturt University (CSU) academics at an international social work conference in Adelaide this weekend.

Research to be presented by CSU staff from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences include:

• Social work in the drought - Professor Margaret Alston. The gaps in service delivery in rural areas have been accentuated during ‘Australia’s worst drought in 100 years’. Professor Alston’s extensive research provides recommendations about ways that social workers might support rural community capacity building as communities emerge from drought.
• Social Work and Sustainability – Jenny McKinnon. The health and wellbeing of all peoples is reliant upon a healthy environment. Ms McKinnon looks at the contribution social workers have made and how future social, economic and environmental sustainability is a critical social justice issue.
• Community informal care and welfare practice – Dr Manohar Pawar. Asian-Pacific countries rely on traditional community care and welfare systems to maintain the wellbeing of individual, families and communities. Dr Pawar’s research in India and Cambodia has highlighted the importance of the promotion of these systems by non-government organisations.
• Help or Hindrance? Outcomes of Social Work Student Placements – Researchers Dr Wendy Bowles, Karen Bell and Heather Barton, from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Practicum experience is a central component of social work education. An investigation of the benefits and negatives of the field education experience for the agency and student indicates that there are positive outcomes.

CSU has also donated wine to the Jane Hoey Auction - a fund-raiser to be held as part of Global Social Work 2004. Named after an American social worker, the Jane Hoey fund has been established in order to provide support to social workers from developing countries and Central and Eastern Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Baltic States.