The role of social work in the socio-economic development of Rwanda : a comparative sociological analysis of South Africa and Rwanda

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:Nowadays, members of the global community from various arenas are committed topromoting social development and removing the obstacles of all kinds of social ills thathave been undermining the quality of people's lives, such as: poverty, social conflicts,HIV/AIDS, injustice and violence. Is this feasible? If yes, how can we proceed to the fullrealisation of human development?This study made a close examination of the case of Rwanda, and compared it with that ofSouth Africa, with which Rwanda shares various historical and psychosocial realitiessuch as colonisation, and the need for reconciliation and reinforcement of communalsolidarity in order to proceed with and hasten the development process. The orientationof the study is centred on the hypothetical question: Why and how can social work beused as a means of addressing social problems and promoting social development inRwanda?The study, basically of a qualitative nature, constitutes both library and field-basedresearch. Accordingly, the literature and the empirical investigation were used as keymethods to realise the goals and objectives stated. In the empirical study, a triangulationof data gathering techniques, namely interviews, focus group discussions and directobservations, was given the primary emphasis. By this means, enriched information fromboth South Africa and Rwanda permitted various insights into crucial socio-economicchallenges, social development agents, the preferred approaches for social developmentand the working conditions of social workers. The latter conditions were usuallydescribed as being very difficult and trying.Overall, the research findings show that:+ There is a serious need for social development both in South Africa and Rwanda inorder to respond to the legacies of their pasts - especially to the upheavals of apartheidand the genocide respectively (i.e. poverty, mistrust, social disintegration) - as well as toa range of other social ills such as HIV/AIDS, violence and unforeseen factors;+ The developmental approach, well espoused by the South African government whichchose to incorporate it in national policies, particularly in the White Paper for SocialWelfare (1997), is the most suited to foster the attainment of social development;• Social work, using community work as the preferred method, is amongst the keyprofessions at the forefront of the operationalisation of social development and hence, ofthe promotion of improved social welfare conditions;• Empowerment, particularly of vulnerable people, is a key to social change;• Social work, while moving towards a developmental approach - as developmentalsocial work - needs to consolidate its position by contributing effectively to developmentinstead of continuing to focus on individual cases Itherapies.• Introduction of social work training at the National University of Rwanda (NUR) is apositive omen for the stimulation of social development in the country;• There is a particular need to update the social work curriculum in Rwanda.Lastly, specific recommendations are given. The main recommendation is that efforts toconduct a comprehensive war against social problems be unified. In terms of social work,it is important that social work professionals be given more consideration and morestimulation. Conducive working conditions must be also created for them, especially atlocal level. Social workers, in tum, have to stand their ground, and work in goodpartnership with other professionals and social development agents for the good of allpeople, with special focus on the disadvantaged.For Rwanda in particular, it is recommended that a national welfare policy be set upurgently to strengthen social work education at university, and that, in the process,reference be made to experienced countries such as South Africa. In this regard,educators must ensure that new graduates will effectively become catalysts for socialdevelopment. This requires a good fit of theory and practice during the training process.Above all, it is advisable for Rwanda to promote community work practice through thecommunity development model.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University