A case study approach to analysing social work and political conflict in Europe

With increasing political conflict across the globe, there is an imperative to critically analyse the social work role in these contexts. The article reviews the literature on this topic before setting the scene for an exploratory case study approach, using examples of Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Four themes emerged: failures of political elites to effect peacebuilding; coping mechanisms used by social workers; the role of social work education in building confidence between divided communities and alliances with victims and survivors. Finally, the article appeals for greater attention to these issues by the international community of social workers.