Elections 2026: Candidate Vision Chaime MARCUELLO-SERVÓS

Chaime Marcuello-Servós

As a candidate for IASSW, I propose to work for a transformative future in which social work education embraces the complexities of our increasingly digitized world, while remaining true to our core values of human dignity and social justice. In an era dominated by data capitalism, where digital inequalities create new forms of social exclusion, social work education must meet new challenges while maintaining its commitment to person-centred practice. Our profession is at a crucial intersection where technological advancement affects human vulnerability. This compels us to develop innovative approaches to both education and practice.

Integrating digital social work into training is a necessity. We must prepare future social workers to competently manage digital spaces while understanding the profound implications of technological systems on social welfare. This includes developing a critical awareness of how artificial intelligence(AI) and algorithmic decision-making affect vulnerable populations, potentially perpetuating existing inequalities or creating new forms of marginalization.

Research on the use of technology in social work practice is a cornerstone of our educational framework. Digital tools can enhance service delivery without losing sight of potential risks and ethical considerations. This includes exploring how AI can support decision-making processes while ensuring that human judgment and empathy remain central to our practice.

Digital vulnerability represents a new frontier in social work practice. From cyberbullying to digital exclusion, algorithmic discrimination to data privacy concerns, our profession must develop frameworks to address these challenges. We must equip our students with the knowledge and skills to advocate for digital justice and support clients in navigating an increasingly digitized world.

Thus, in this framework, I propose: (i).develop global standards for digital social work education; (ii).promote partnerships with technology developers (iii).share best practices to address digital vulnerabilities.

The future of social work education lies in our ability to balance technological innovation with our mission as social workers.