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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Ubuntu philosophy, values, and principles: An opportunity to do social work differently
Journal of social work, Vol.25(4), pp.433-451
07/2025
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Summary: Rising immigration and increasing cultural diversity globally highlight the need to decolonize social work and challenge the hegemony of Western-centric cultural and epistemological foundations. This article explores how Ubuntu philosophy can serve as a global decolonizing framework in social work education and practice. Using a reflective conceptual analysis process, we explored Ubuntu as an alternative paradigm for social work educators, researchers, practitioners, and students. Ubuntu's core values—relationality, collective responsibility, communal accountability, social justice, recognition, and reciprocity—offer a unique framework that sets it apart from other philosophies.
Findings: We propose embracing Ubuntu’s core principles to enrich social work knowledge, theories, and practice, decolonizing and addressing gaps left by Western approaches. We argue that integrating the core values of Ubuntu philosophy can significantly enhance social work practices.
Applications: This article contributes to ongoing discussions on decolonization and the importance of epistemological diversity in redefining social work and exploring new ways of practice.
Details
- Title
- Ubuntu philosophy, values, and principles: An opportunity to do social work differently
- Creators
- Hyacinth Udah - James Cook UniversitySharlotte Tusasiirwe - Western Sydney UniversityRugare Mugumbate - University of WollongongKathomi Gatwiri - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Journal of social work, Vol.25(4), pp.433-451
- Publisher
- Sage
- Number of pages
- 19
- Identifiers
- 991013258563402368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2025
- Academic Unit
- Centre for Children and Young People; Social Work; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article