Emma Rush

The Challenges of Maintaining Social Work Ethics in Kenya

Little research has been published that is specifically relevant to professional social work ethics in Kenya. This paper seeks to address this gap in the literature. One of the major challenges is maintaining professional social work ethics, which are predominantly Western-based, in an African cultural context. This paper argues for an Afrocentric approach, specifically proposing Ubuntu as a helpful concept that could guide the development of professional social work ethics that are relevant to African contexts. The Kenyan context is documented, including the challenges faced in social work education and practice in Kenya. While the paper is primarily theoretical, the overall argument is informed by two teaching cases, one of which highlights the ethical challenges experienced by social workers in Kenya, the other demonstrating creative engagement with cultural traditions and practices. It is concluded that: the concept of Afrocentricity supports a move beyond knowledge accumulation to knowledge-informed action as part of ethics for social workers; more social work-led research in Kenyan and other African contexts is desirable, but if international knowledge can be made relevant to the needs and cultures of African people this may also be useful.

Ethics of Food Security

The chapter opens with an introduction to ethics, including the definition of key ethical concepts used in later discussion. This is followed by a brief summary of the problem that this chapter, as one part of the edited collection, seeks to address: how to achieve and maintain food security in Australia. Essential ethical dimensions of the framing of this problem are then highlighted: the development of national strategies for food security can only be ethical if it is informed by, and incorporates an appropriate response to, Australia’s global justice and global environmental obligations. Finally, key ethical dimensions of some proposed strategies for achieving and maintaining food security in Australia are identified and discussed.

Musical genius and/or nasty piece of work? Dealing with violence and sexual assault in accounts of popular music’s past

ABSTRACT For many years, the mistreatment of women in particular has essentially been normalized in many parts of the music industry. In recent years, however, there has been an increase in women coming forward and telling their stories, and asking that men be held accountable for wrongdoing. This interdisciplinary (sociology and philosophy) paper pursues two key feminist questions prompted by recent developments. Firstly: How has the construction of the history of popular music legitimated the continuation of this situation? ‘Looking back’ historically and sociologically, examples are provided of the legitimation or ignoring of violence against women (VAW) in the history of popular music to date. Secondly: How should we [archivists, historians, heritage curators and popular music educators], from now on, construct the history of popular music in a way that doesn’t legitimate VAW? Turning to ‘look forward’, applied ethics frameworks are used to explore different aspects of this second question.

What Can We Do to Make Changes?—Virginia (Ginni) Hall, AO

Virginia (Ginni) Hall had a long career spanning nursing, youth work, social work and social work education. In a voluntary/community service capacity, Ginni has been involved in community health, legal aid, women’s services, family and children’s services, youth services, aged care, electoral reform, community housing, Indigenous issues, international development and justice, and environmental initiatives. She is known for her independence and courage, her energy, dedication and resilience, and her resourcefulness, humanity and humility. While her award of an Order of Australia Medal in 2014 shows the esteem she is held in by her colleagues and the broader community, Ginni remains down-to-earth, with a keen sense of humour, and in conversation describes herself as a bit of a “ratbag”.

Respect and Integrity—John Gavaghan

Positively and universally respected by those who know of his work, John Gavaghan is known for his commitment to clients, unfailing fairness, warmth and good humour, optimism and hope, and an ability to courageously tackle difficult and entrenched issues while operating reflectively and in the interests of others. He has been described as a man who is able to integrate the compassion of the heart with the intellect of the head.