The Effects of Globalization on Social Work Practices

1819 Words4 Pages

Globalisation is a broad term that is often defined in economic factors alone. The Dictionary at merriam-webster.com describes globalisation as “the process of enabling financial markets to operate internationally, largely as a result of deregulation and improved communication.” Also due to deregulation on the financial market, multi-national companies are free to trade and move their businesses to areas where a higher return or profit can be achieved. New technology also enables companies to relocate to areas where labour costs are lower, for instance movement of call centre jobs from the UK to India.

Lyons (2006) suggests that globalisation creates push and pull factors. Pull factors may include the recruitment drive of highly skilled migrants to developed countries, in return for better pay and working conditions. Push factors may force individuals to migrate due to poor living and working conditions in their native country. Political factors which infringe human rights and fear of persecution may cause individuals to flee also.

Globalisation has increased modern technology all over the world enabling more people, such as globally separated families, to maintain contact. Increased media coverage also draws the attention of the world to human rights violation which can lead to an improvement in human rights. This is not a reflection of all marginalised groups. In Australia, the detention of unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) contravenes the United Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), however the media are prohibited to enter detention centres and report on this issue (Cemlyn and Briskman, 2003).

Globalisation often affects the structurally oppressed within society, including women and m...

... middle of paper ...

... Home Office (2007) Glossary- National Refugee Integration. http://nrif.homeoffice.gov.uk/Glossary/index.asp?letter=u. Accessed on 6th November 2010.

The Scottish Government (2003) Asylum Seekers in Scotland. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2003/02/16400/18349. Accessed on 9th November 2010.

The Scottish Government (2007) Refugees and asylum seekers. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Equality/Refugees-asylum. Accessed on 5th November 2010.

The Scottish Government (2003) Refugee Integration Forum: action plan. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2003/02/16364/18141. Accessed on 10th November 2010.

The United Nations Refugee Agency (2010) Definitions and Obligations. http://www.unhcr.org.au/basicdef.shtml. Accessed on 9th November 2010.

United Convention of Human Rights (1951)

United Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)

Open Document