This paper presents some ideas about the historic role of the social work profession in the construction of citizenship and in the formation of inclusionary, just and democratic policies that respond to the promotion and full benefit of human rights. The paper articulates four basic discussions. First, it looks at the nature of social participation expressed in social movements and collective action. Second, it examines the importance given to social participation in the professional praxis and thirdly the need to reconsider the social project not only from the perspective of social workers but also in conjunction with other social actors. In conclusion, the paper analyzes a series of local actions that are related to a logic of international actions that support the concept of a construction of citizenship with a globalizing dimension that is not neoliberal.
Social Work; social movements; collective action; participation; citizenship