International Study on the Development of Indigenous Social Work Models
| Project/Area Number |
19K14002
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
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| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
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| Review Section |
Basic Section 08020:Social welfare-related
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| Research Institution | Japan College of Social Work (2022)
Nagasaki International University (2019-2021) |
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Principal Investigator |
VIRAG VIKTOR 日本社会事業大学, 社会福祉学部, 准教授 (10804297)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
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| Project Status |
Granted (Fiscal Year 2022)
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| Budget Amount *help |
¥4,290,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥990,000)
Fiscal Year 2022: ¥520,000 (Direct Cost: ¥400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥120,000)
Fiscal Year 2021: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
Fiscal Year 2020: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000)
Fiscal Year 2019: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000)
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| Keywords | social work / theoretical models / historical development / indigenous knowledge / indigenous people / Ainu / theoretical model / indigenousl people |
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| Outline of Research at the Start |
This research studies indigenous social work internationally. Indigenous people like the Ainu in Japan face various social problems. This research aims to find new theoretical models and ways for their implementation to raise the living standards of indigenous people through social work.
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
This research studies indigenous social work internationally. Indigenous people like the Ainu in Japan face various social problems. The purpose of the research is to examine and compare the historical and theoretical evolution of indigenous knowledge-based models of social work around the globe.
While literature review is being carried out, field surveys were not possible as planned during the academic/fiscal year of 2022. This was due to continuing travel restrictions to Japanese immigration with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. By the time such restrictions were lifted in late fall (early winter), seasonally it became difficult to visit the Arctic regions of Nordic countries that are main targets of the research in terms of studying social work with Northern indigenous people who share commonalities with the Ainu in Japan.
Preparations were made for an online symposium on social work with Northern indigenous people in Canada with a special focus on indigenous knowledge-based mental health approaches. Also, relationships were being nurtured with potential contact persons for a field survey through various international platforms. An especially important point of contact is the Indigenous Commission of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), namely its European and Asia-Pacific members. Such networks are to be utilized in the next phase of the study during the 2023 academic/fiscal year.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
4: Progress in research has been delayed.
Reason
The main reason for the delay and extending the research to the academic/fiscal year of 2023 was the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions on international travel for field work purposes. Such restrictions were fully lifted in Japanese immigration procedures only after the Arctic region of Nordic countries entered the winter season and it became difficult to visit. The Northern indigenous people of Europe who live in such regions are a main concern for the study as a reference point for comparison with the Ainu in Japan. Therefore, international field surveys that were planned for 2023 had to be rescheduled. Another reason was the Principal Investigator’s transfer from Nagasaki International University to the Japan College of Social Work and moving from Sasebo to Tokyo.
Online research methods were being considered as feasible alternatives if the global status of the pandemic would not improve with vaccination. However, these continued to face unique challenges when working with indigenous populations, particularly aging members, including the issue of technology usage and online interpretation. Therefore, while online alternatives, such as a symposium is under preparation as a partial substitute to in-person exchanges with international researchers and stakeholders on the subject, there is a need for in-person interchange with actual community members in the upcoming year.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Plans for the 2023 academic/fiscal year of 2023 include hosting an online international symposium on indigenous social work in collaboration with a team of Canadian professionals and practitioners from the field of mental health social work. The symposium scheduled for June is titled Historical Development of Indigenous Social Work and Evolving Practice Models in Canada: With a Focus on Social Policy and Indigenous Knowledge-Based Mental Health Approaches. It features field reports on indigenous social policy, and evolving knowledge and experience based mental health practice.
Also, building on the state of less restrictive travel, field studies and interviews are being coordinated by working together with a team of international stakeholders, such as the IFSW Indigenous Commission. Such field work would ideally take place during the summer season in Scandinavia and in Southeast Asia at the end of the academic/fiscal year. Targets under consideration are relevant agencies and key persons, as well as professionals to learn about models of indigenous social work and their historical development in Europe and Asia. Preparations include application for approval of research ethics by an institutional review board.
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Report
(4 results)
Research Products
(32 results)
