Compassionate Activism

What is it to care for another human being? How do we show compassion for each other? Is 'social care' an activity only for paid professionals? This book sets out on a radical re-examination of the nature of social care, the way it is practised, and its purpose. Rather than being confined to a qualified cohort of designated carers, social care is an activity for all. It is the gateway to the humanization of both care-giver and care-receiver. Yet the process of humanization, in order to be effective, needs to encompass both the personal and political worlds. The resultant integral social care can be re-imagined as compassionate activism. The scope of the book ranges from the practical to the theoretical. It assesses the specific skills needed in providing social care; it examines social care theory and practice; and it extends its investigation as far as the dysfunctions in the current political and economic system. The book proposes a 'dialogic practice' as an effective method of achieving personal and social transformation, one which is available to professional practitioners and others alike. The value and process of dialogue affirms that our humanity is primarily characterized by care and compassion rather than individual self-interest.

Autorentext

Mark Garavan lectures in Applied Social Studies at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. His academic career has included doctoral research into environmental activism in Ireland and detailed investigations of the Corrib gas dispute in County Mayo. His social care experience includes working with homeless people in Dublin Simon Community as a residential worker and house leader and acting as a project leader in a residential youth work project in County Carlow. He has also worked with Travellers, prisoners and abused young people. He is currently Chairperson of Mayo Citizens Information Service and a director of Mayo Intercultural Action and Feasta.

Zusammenfassung
«Garavan's concepts of integral social care and compassionate activism merit considerable attention in sustainability circles. 'Compassionate Activism' offers us a fresh perspective on authentic and visionary social engagement in a time of growing systemic violence and oppression of both people and nature. I highly recommended Garavan's work as reading for professional social care practitioners, undergraduate and graduate students, and anyone interested in the theory and practice of sustainability.» (Tina Lynn Evans, Journal of Sustainability Education 05/2013)

Inhalt

Contents: Why Should We Care? Carl Rogers: A Framework for Personal Liberation The Challenges of Integral Social Care The Characteristics of the Integral Social Carer Paulo Freire: A Framework for Social and Political Liberation The Human Person as a Social Entity Towards Dialogic Practice Compassionate Activism.