Lessons from Abroad

Adapting International Social Welfare Innovations

In this independent and increasingly interconnected world, no profession can exclude global learning. This is particularly true for social work, which deals with problems that affect all humanity, no matter how wide the differences in social, economic, and cultural circumstances. Hokenstad and Midgley have long since grasped this truth. In another of their scholarly productions to encourage international learning, they ably demonstrate what the United States can learn from other countries through adaptation of policies and programs that have proved effective elsewhere. Their goal to promote a greater degree of global competence for American social workers is admirably achieved in Lessons from Abroad.

Katherine A. Kendall, Phd, ACSW
Retired Secretary General of the International
Association of Social Work (IASSW)
Former Executive Director of the Council on
Social Work Education (CSWE)

This is an important and timely book. Social work educators and practitioners stand to benefit greatly from the international perspective provided in its pages in such an effective and lucid manner. Lessons from Abroad gives us a marvelous opportunity to more firmly grasp the potential of learning from the experience and knowledge of colleagues around the world and to stretch the vision and impact of social work practice in the United States. I urge every imaginative social service planner and public policy person to become familiar with the unique and provocative content in Lessons from Abroad.

Charles D. Cowger, PhD, MSW
Director, School of Social Work
University of Missouri-Columbia