Sustainable Development Goals and Social Work: Opportunities and Challenges for Social Work Practice in Malaysia

Abstract

The global agenda of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provides Social Workers an opportunity to redefine their role pertaining to people empowerment, socio-economic development, human rights and the environment. This is especially so for Social Workers in Malaysia whose roles have been narrowly defined in the past. The Global Agenda enhances these possibilities for Social Workers as the SDG goals and values have parallels relevance and application with Social Work practice. However, there are challenges too, as Social Work practice addressing both human rights and environmental concerns address structural issues viewed as politically sensitive and therefore might be confrontational in nature. Nonetheless, Social Workers must stand alongside their service users as partners in development and address issues of injustice and inequality courageously and uncompromisingly abiding by Social Work Principles and Values.