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Social Work Practices and the Ecological Sustainability of Socially Vulnerable Communities

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  • Helena Belchior Rocha

    (ISCTE-University Institute of Lisbon, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

Environmental problems are also social problems. Social work, as a scientific area, has increasingly assumed the importance of including environmental problems in social intervention. This close linkage to ecological issues is particularly relevant when addressing vulnerable communities. In this article, we analyze the results of a study focused on social work intervention in two Portuguese eco-neighborhoods in the context of ongoing urban regeneration projects, which suggest that social vulnerability accentuates the damage of exposure to environmental threats and amplifies its effects. The analysis of data collected from social workers, through 9 semi-structured interviews and through questionnaires (N = 131), with the residents of the neighborhoods together with non-participant observation, allowed to highlight the difficulties, contradictions, but also the potential of this type intervention. Results appear to support an eco-social model which may help social worker to promote social transformation and change, respecting community rhythms, promoting empowerment of individuals, addressing the challenges of socially vulnerable communities within the complexity of a globalized world.

Suggested Citation

  • Helena Belchior Rocha, 2018. "Social Work Practices and the Ecological Sustainability of Socially Vulnerable Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-27, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:5:p:1312-:d:142935
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sachs, Wolfgang, 2003. "Environment and human rights," Wuppertal Papers 137, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy.
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    Cited by:

    1. Komalsingh Rambaree, 2020. "Environmental Justice in the Case of the Chagos Marine Protected Area: Implications for International Social Work," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Maite Berasaluce & Pablo Díaz-Siefer & Paulina Rodríguez-Díaz & Marcelo Mena-Carrasco & José Tomás Ibarra & Juan L. Celis-Diez & Pedro Mondaca, 2021. "Social-Environmental Conflicts in Chile: Is There Any Potential for an Ecological Constitution?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-25, November.
    3. Raquel Agost-Felip & María José Ruá & Fatiha Kouidmi, 2021. "An Inclusive Model for Assessing Age-Friendly Urban Environments in Vulnerable Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-29, July.
    4. Simon Colnar & Vlado Dimovski & David Bogataj, 2019. "Knowledge Management and the Sustainable Development of Social Work," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-20, November.
    5. Inês Casquilho-Martins, 2021. "The Impacts of Socioeconomic Crisis in Portugal on Social Protection and Social Work Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-14, November.

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