Ubuntu & human rights: contributions of an indigenous philosophy to the training of Portuguese social workers

In a time when global politics has shown a growth of governments with oppressive ideologies, Ubuntu highlights the interdependence of all people and their potential in co-constructing more dignified social realities. Through the realization of focus groups with Social Work students and new graduates, we intend to demonstrate (i) the alignment of Ubuntu with SW’ central values; (iii) the understanding of current Portuguese Social Work undergraduate and graduate students about indigenous knowledge; (iv) the integration of these meanings in readings of social reality, the contributions and limits associated with such philosophy; finally, (v) the reflection of the participants around the influence social structures associated with imperialism bring to life trajectories. Contributions are given around education and practice in Social Work with a proposal to review and update community Social Work under the ubuntu philosophy.