Dr. Irene Queiro-Tajalli interviews Argentina's Minister of Social Development for upcoming book showcasing women social workers

Dr. Irene Queiro-Tajalli (right) with Argentina's Minister of Social Development Dr. Alicia Kirchner

May 23, 2008 -  Dr. Irene Queiro-Tajalli has added another job to her to-do list: contributing author to an upcoming book showcasing prominent women social workers from around the world.

       Dr. Queiro-Tajalli, the Executive Director of Undergraduate Education and Interim Executive Director of Labor Studies at the IU School of Social Work, got involved with writing a chapter for the book following a call from an editor needing help.

      Could she recommend social workers from around the world that fit the profile of women they hoped to portray? The idea for the book is to showcase practicing social workers, excluding those whose contributions were primarily academic. The named of the proposed book says it all: “Women in Social Work Who Are Changing the World”.

     Dr. Queiro-Tajalli, who is originally from Argentina and studied in Iran, did have some ideas on candidates, but she had a question of her own.

     Did they have a representative in mind from South America? When the editor answered no, Dr. Queiro-Tajalli replied she had the perfect candidate in mind: Dr. Alicia Kirchner, Argentina’s Minister of Social Development.

      She is in a key position and is responsible for a wide range of programs and policies that cover the welfare of the country’s citizens.

     While Dr. Queiro-Tajalli hopes the book will appeal to everyone, it is being done to give students a better understanding of the profession they will soon join.

      In essence, the book seeks to demonstrate the uniqueness of social work among all the professions that seek to help others. That uniqueness is found in social work’s dual missions: working with individuals, families and small groups and secondly, in social reform, where the socio-economic environment is the target of change.

       Each profile will focus on things like the social worker’s background, their education, the response of their families to the work they are doing; who influenced them to consider social work as a profession; the value of early role models and mentors; how they came to be doing the work they are doing, and what they might like to say to men and women who aspire to enter the profession of social work.

          In March, Dr. Queiro-Tajalli set up an appointment and flew to Argentina to interview Kirchner. But after arriving in Argentina, Dr. Queiro-Tajalli feared she might not get to meet with the minister after all.

     Dr. Kirchner had readily agreed to the interview, saying it was an honor to have her professional work included in the book. But the meeting came as Argentina faced a crisis of sorts as people living in rural areas began blocking highways to protest taxes.

     “The president’s cabinet started meeting more frequently so the plans for meeting with the Minister within my time frame away from IUSSW became in question”, she explained. However, Dr. Kirchner did find time to meet with Dr. Queiro-Tajalli, and she was able to start the process of gathering information about Kirchner. “She was very gracious with her time.”

     “She is a dynamic and energetic minister. She works long hours, sometimes leaving the office at 10:00 or 11:00 p.m. Also she travels a great deal to visit communities in different provinces.” Dr. Queiro-Tajalli said. “She has had a lot of accomplishments with different educational and economic programs.”

     Dr. Kirchner has a “macro-perspective,” when it comes to social work and is someone who has been involved in administration and policy making for a long time, Dr. Queiro-Tajalli noted.

     It was gratifying to see someone like Dr. Kirchner, in her position as Minister of Social Development, committed to empower communities and who believes in the concept of social capital, said Dr. Queiro-Tajalli. “It would be wise if more countries would have social workers in this type of position.”

     For more information contact Rob Schneider, Indiana University School of Social Work, 317-278-0303 or at robschn@iupui.