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Social Work in Post-Socialist Countries: Divergence and Common Ground
This chapter outlines a range of the general and the unique features of the social work’s development in the post-socialist countries of Europe and Eurasia after the dissolution of the socialist bloc. The author describes the general trends and varieties in the development of social work as a profession. Short historic background provides the reader with general picture and peculiarities of welfare policy and social work formations during socialism and under the transition. The short cases of each of the 27 countries present information concerning the role of the state and nongovernmental organizations in service provision, education and training possibilities, status of social workers. The chapter is concluded by the outline of some general trends and variations in social work development throughout the region. The chapter is based on the study of the available literature and personal communications with social work experts. Following abbreviations are used throughout the text: FSU – Former Soviet Union, CEE – Central and Eastern Europe, EU – European Union, CIS – Commonwealth of Independent States, OSI – Open Society Institute.