This handbook arises from teaching international social work in the context of Switzerland. A key aim is to extend social work beyond narrow national perspectives and see the profession as truly global and international. This will transform its everyday practice in the workplace, with the realisation that there is a multiplicity of factors that have relevance and meaning for the individuals, groups and communities social workers engage with. This means respecting indigenous knowledge, realising the impact of colonialism and power imbalance and working towards developing a new ‘ecosocial’ perspective that is more holistic and inclusive than the traditional, Western-oriented and neo-liberal approach so dominant in current practice. The authors – representing academic and professional (IFSW) backgrounds – provide their own perspectives and insights into these issues.