Reference : Towards Indigenous Social Work practice: Addressing professional challenges in workin...
Scientific journals : Article
Social & behavioral sciences, psychology : Social work & social policy
Migration and Inclusive Societies
http://hdl.handle.net/10993/49591
Towards Indigenous Social Work practice: Addressing professional challenges in working with Homeless Greenlanders in Aalborg, Denmark
English
Edwards, Jordanne[University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) > Department of Education and Social Work (DESW) >]
[en] Indigenous social work ; social inclusion ; homelessness ; Denmark ; Greenlanders
[en] The article discusses the challenges within social work practices with the homeless Greenlandic population in Aalborg, Denmark, based on a case study at the Aalborg University. Interviews were conducted with social workers from service organizations across the Aalborg municipality. The findings are analyzed by drawing on a theoretical framework which addresses the role of social workers and social service institutions that support homeless Greenlanders to adjust to life in Denmark. Indigenous social work is presented as an alternative practice method to mitigate existing challenges within the field and to create culturally appropriate services. The findings revealed that cultural differences pose a fundamental challenge to the effective helping process of homeless Greenlanders in social work practices. Plausible recommendations for practice are identified.