Assignment instruction With this assignment you will explore the concepts related to the empowerment approach. You research in what way empowerment can contribute in dealing with global issues that pose a challenge for the practice of social work. The results of your research should generate content and contemplation. Meaning: with your poster presentation you invite to a dialogue which sheds light on the concept of empowerment. In conducting your desk research you can follow these steps: Step 1. Search for content related to the framework of empowerment Dive into the theory on empowerment and make sure that you understand the approach and the related concepts. What is the definition and how does that correspond with your view on social work? What does it mean to work from an empowerment perspective and how do the concepts such as strength-oriented approach, self-reliance, capability approach, Ubuntu (and other concepts) relate? Once you have a thorough idea of the concept of empowerment and its meaning for social work, you can proceed to the next step. Step 2. Choose your global issue In this research you all start off with the same generic question: Why is the concept of empowerment relevant in the international social work practice? However, the way you narrow down your research will be up to your personal choice. You will now relate the research question to a concrete global issue. With this issue as a starting point you will investigate the contributions and strengths of the empowerment approach, but you will also explore the possible constraints and dilemma’s faced when working with the empowerment approach. Choose a global issue that social workers around the world are dealing with in their work. Explore the issue, find best practices that deal with the issue and learn about challenges that are faced in dealing with the issue. The following questions can be helpful in exploring the issue: What is the issue/challenge and why it is relevant for the practice of social work? How can the empowerment approach contribute to dealing with this issue? What challenges present themselves when dealing with the issue from the viewpoint of empowerment? What is at stake? And how to deal with it? What best practices in social work can be used to deal with this issue, and how? Which sectors and communities benefit from the empowerment approach? What knowledge and skills are necessary when working with strengthening the abilities of people and communities? Step 3. Research design Now it is time to design your desk research. With your global issue in mind, you formulate a research objective, a (SMART) research question and sub-questions. Make sure that your research is shaped on the basis of methodological research literature. Your research should give an answer to how the practice of social work can be strengthened by using the empowerment approach. Step 4. Conduct practice oriented research Carry out the research on the basis of the research design. Collect data by using relevant literature and describe your results on the basis of the sub-questions. Analyze the data by making connections between your findings. With all the data collected and analyzed, you can formulate a conclusion. You will do this by answering the main research question. Step 5. Present the poster presentation effectively Now it is time to present your results. Create an appealing poster and prepare an oral presentation to explain your findings. Make good use of mutual reinforcement between form and content. The lessons of creative craftmanship can provide a variety of (creative) ways to construct an appealing poster presentation. The presentation should complement the information on the poster and engage the interest of your audience. Ask provocative questions, pose statements or invite your audience otherwise to share with you their own insights regarding your research and your presentation. Presentation and structure 10 minutes – poster presentation 5 minutes – exchange based on the content of the presentation
