Journal of Education & Social Policy

The Role of Social Work in Peace, Human Rights, and Development in Africa
S. C. Kafula

Abstract
Peace, stability, and human rights are essential for achieving development not only in Africa but also in the world at large. Peace and stability play a significant role in achieving human wellbeing and development. It is for this reason that the post-2015 UN Agenda suggests that peace is one of the essential elements for delivering on the sustainable development goals. This clearly indicates that no (sustainable) development is possible without peace and stability. Thus, issues of peace, stability, and human rights necessitate the active involvement of all professions and individuals at different levels. This paper explores various ways social work practitioners can significantly contribute towards peace-building and development in Africa and beyond. The paper advances the need to include a component of peace and human rights in the curriculum of social work training. Training, it is assumed, would help prepare students to effectively engage with the communities in promoting peace, human rights, and development. This would also unify the concepts of peace with the profession’s commitment to promoting human rights and social justice.

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