This study explores social work in Fiji and considers how cultural identity, practice context, and participant worldviews interact to form understandings of practice. These understandings, metaphors and beliefs contribute to a construction of social work that reflects lived experiences of social workers in Fiji. Sixty-one social workers from the East, West, Central, and Northern divisions of Fiji participated in individual and group talanoa discussions to examine the values, knowledge and skills considered foundational for practice. This was also accompanied by a consideration of what enables purposeful social work within the Fijian practice context. These narratives contribute to a growing literature base that seeks to articulate non-Western frameworks within social work. Fiji’s colonial history, a heavy dependence on foreign aid and the influence of globalisation contribute to an environment where Western models of research may supersede or drown out efforts to integrate and bring together models of Western and non-Western practice. This is problematic given the divergent epistemological and ideological basis of individualised Western models to that of more collectivist social ideals espoused within Fiji. In response, this thesis contributes to the development of a culturally informed framework of Fijian social work practice, while recognising the need to be wary of any indigenous research process that seek to promote Fiji as a singular homogenous group. Ultimately, in the context of increasing globalisation, I argue that the social work profession should foster a rich and diverse understanding of social work practice by embracing indigenous and localised understandings of research and practice
