Social Work, Sectarianism and Anti-sectarian Practice in Northern Ireland

Abstract

This paper addresses a subject relatively unknown to the British and international social work audience—that of training for anti-sectarian practice. In doing so, it points to some of the complex, even dangerous issues raised by such training for social work students and practitioners in Northern Ireland. The paper comments upon the limited but significant ways in which social work educators and practitioners have tried to challenge sectarian discrimination in Northern Ireland, and proposes methods in train ing and research which might facilitate a better understanding of these processes.