Environmental Social Work frameworks and models in Africa

From: Mushunje, M. and Matsika, A. B. (2023). Environmental Social Work: African philosophies, frameworks and perspectives. African Journal of Social Work, 13(2), 48-56. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v13i2.1

1. Indigenous framework

• Comes from indigenous knowledge that was passed on from previous generations based on their experience and interaction with the environment.
• Grounded in Ubuntu philosophy.
• Values interactions between human beings and their environment, that is, human and nature relations;
• Values sustainability.
• Values eco-spirituality.
• Values environmental access and justice.

2. Continental framework (The African Union (AU) environmental model)

Agenda 2063 environment-focused aspiration

3. Grassroots or community framework (The Maathai GBM environmental model)

4. Model for environmental social work in Africa