The Role of Social Work in Addressing Socioeconomic Inequalities
Mumbai, India
January 4–January 15, 2016
This faculty development trip focuses on the role of social work in addressing inequalities to bring about socioeconomic development. It combines lecture, discussion, agency visits, roundtable discussions with Indian social workers, and local sightseeing. Lecture topics include the history and philosophy of social work in India, inequalities, social protection and development pertaining to children and families, health and mental health, gender and violence, and homelessness and fragile housing. Participants will learn how social workers involve, coordinate, and work with national, state, and grassroots organizations to address inequalities in communities and among individuals and families. Agency visits include an integrated community development center, an income-generating skills training center, and a rural indigenous center. Participants will have an opportunity to share their experiences and research related to the issue of inequalities and development in the United States and India through roundtable discussions with local social work educators and practitioners. These roundtable discussions will strengthen participants’ teaching and practice skills and resources and provide networking opportunities. Participants also will visit important sites in Mumbai such as the Gateway of India, the National Gandhi Museum, the Marine Drive, a Hindu temple, and an 8th century cave close to Mumbai. A list of readings will be provided to participants prior to departure.
This faculty development trip will be held in partnership with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. Faculty and social work practitioners associated with TISS will present lectures. The trip will be led by Dr. Mahasweta Banerjee, an MSW alumnae of TISS, and a professor of social welfare at the University of Kansas. Dr. Banerjee held a year-long Fulbright research award to India, and she studies socioeconomic development in India with particular reference to capabilities for work, income, and well-being. She has led student study abroad trips to India since 2007, a majority of which were in collaboration with TISS.
The trip will last 10 nights and 11 days starting January 4 and ending January 15, 2016, early morning. The estimated cost for this trip is $2,500–$3,600.* The price includes double- or single-room hotel accommodation (if available) or double-room TISS campus accommodation (if available); all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and bottled water, and welcome and farewell dinners); all in-country transportation; and all program activities, including transportation from the hotel to TISS, agency visits, tour of Mumbai, meals outside TISS, and entrance fees to museum, cave, and cultural sites. This estimated program cost does not include round trip transportation to Mumbai, India; passport; visa; and optional malaria vaccination prior to visit. Airfare typically runs between $1,600 to $1,900 depending on city and time of departure from the United States. If you are interested in participating in this trip, please send an e-mail with “CSWE India FDT” in the subject line to kaki@cswe.org by August 31 to receive more information about paying a deposit to hold your reservation.
*This fee is an approximation. We will not be able to determine the price of insurance until October 2015; therefore, the price may increase or decrease.