The Importance of Cultural Competence in Socıal Work for Communıty Development in Rural Area
KIRSAL ALANDA TOPLUM KALKINMASI İÇİN SOSYAL HİZMETTE KÜLTÜREL YETKİNLİĞİN ÖNEMİ

Author : Filiz YILDIRIM -Bilge ABUKAN
Number of pages : 1666-1681

Abstract

Effective social work interventions for community development in rural areas require specialization peculiar to rural areas. At this point, one of the main anchor of social workers at the focus of micro, mezzo and macro level interventions is culture. Culture, in particular, which shapes traditional practices, beliefs, values, relationship patterns and forms of communication plays a key role in reaching the locals. Comprehension of local context in social work practices is highly significant in determination of needs, problems and resources peculiar to the local. Hence, it is important in social work practices to develop service which is sensitive to cultural characteristics of the rural area and for rural practitioners to be culturally competent. From this point of view, the main objective of the current study is to explain the importance of cultural competence for rural community development from social work perspective. As a result of this review study, it is suggested for social workers to improve cultural competency, to regard it as a part of lifelong learning, and to embrace the differences and consider them as wealth by recognizing the culture of each group of clients.

Keywords

Rural area, Culture, Community development, Social work intervention

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