The need for political competence social work practice: Lessons learned from a collaborative project on Iraqi Refugeesthe case of Jordan

A significant number of Iraqi citizens have fled from their country in an effort to live in a safe environment. Jordan has opened its borders to Iraqi citizens, providing them with supporting services. This complicated situation creates and maintains challenges for social work practitioners, as they have to provide additional and culturally appropriate services to this particular population. A need was identified, to develop both education and practice in order to become more multicultural-oriented, as well as the need to start renegotiating their role as professionals and agents of delivering culturally competent practice. A research project about the current living conditions of Iraqi asylum seekers and refugees revealed the necessity to understand how to develop, demonstrate and disseminate theory that will have a real, positive and practical influence on professionals and their practice. This particular article refers to the lessons learned from Jordan. It is highlighted that it is time to promote national policies and practices that demonstrate acknowledgement of different needs, to support the expansion of cultural knowledge and resources, and to advocate and safeguard the rights of refugees. The development of theoretical and experiential learning, focused on a culturally oriented approach, is of value as a means of meeting this challenge.