From Ubuntu to Harambee: a Decolonial Turn in the Theme of World Social Work Day
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25128/2520-6230.25.4.9Keywords:
decolonization, professional imperialism, Ubuntu, Buen Vivir, Harambee, indigenization, critical paradigm, social workAbstract
The selection of indigenous philosophies by global professional associations as the thematic focus for World Social Work Day (WSWD) from 2021 to 2026 signifies a systemic decolonial shift in the global discourse, which has historically been dominated by Western models.
Purpose of this paper is to analyze the philosophies of Ubuntu, Buen Vivir, and Harambee, assessing their decolonial potential in counteracting professional imperialism and identifying the critical risks associated with their globalization and universalization.
The paper is grounded in the critical paradigm of social work and combines the theoretical frameworks of professional imperialism and decolonial studies. It utilizes qualitative content analysis of official IFSW statements and a comparative analysis of the aforementioned Indigenous concepts.
The analysis demonstrates that the integration of Ubuntu, Buen Vivir, and Harambee forms a powerful decolonial paradigm that counters Western individualism and the neoliberal logic of development by emphasizing collective responsibility, social, and environmental justice. These concepts fulfill an indigenization function, legitimizing local practices and demanding epistemic justice. However, the study revealed key risks: official communications tend toward depoliticization, diluting the anti-capitalist and anti-colonial content of the philosophies. This creates a threat of co-optation, where the call for collective self-help (as in the case of Harambee and Ubuntu) may be exploited to justify shifting responsibility for social welfare from the state onto communities.
The thematic direction of World Social Work Day is a crucial yet two-sided process that requires ongoing critical reflection. For Ukraine, which is undergoing its own process of decolonization, this discourse is highly relevant, underscoring the importance of integrating Ukrainian social work epistemologies as a valuable contribution to global knowledge.
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