The article considers social work as a specific socio-cultural mechanism that promotes positive social changes and harmonious social development. Some approaches to defining the essence of the concept and the role of social work in modern reality are presented. The main levels of social work implementation — individual, group and community one — are considered. It is emphasized that in the conditions of modern reality, there is a need to realize the potential of social work.

The article presents some trends characteristic of the current stage of social and economic development. The role of integration of innovative technologies and digitalization of various spheres of society is emphasized, as well as some tasks and problems associated with these processes are identified. The concept of social development is considered, as well as the possibility of the influence of social work as a specific professional activity on the processes of social development. It is emphasized that the effectiveness of social development is largely determined by the quality of human capital. The article reveals the essence of social work as a phenomenon of the modern world, and also identifies its tasks as a tool for effective social development. English version of the article on pp. 874-876 is available at URL:https://panor.ru/articles/social-work-as-a-phenomenon-of-the-modern-world-and-its-impact-on-the-processes-of-social-development/77421.html

The article presents the fundamental trends typical for the current stage of socio-economic development. The role of the integration of innovative technologies and digitalization of the economy is emphasized, and some tasks and problems associated with these processes are outlined. It is noted that in the conditions of the new technological order, social and labor relations and the position of the Russian labor market are changing. The changes under consideration determine the transformation of the nature of work and the requirements for modern specialists. The article highlights some of the contradictions that exist today between the educational services market and the labor market. The correlation of changes in the modern labor market and the prospects for the development of the social sphere in the new conditions is shown. The role of social policy in these processes is emphasized, and some issues characteristic of the current stage of the development of Russian social policy are noted.

The article shows the role of the development of information and computer technologies and the process of digitalization in various spheres of public life. It is noted that in such conditions information becomes one of the key resources. It is emphasized that for the modern society in the context of accelerating scientific and technological progress, it is becoming more and more difficult to critically comprehend the constantly increasing information flows. Virtual space offers tremendous opportunities for influencing public consciousness. In the context of the issue under consideration, some negative consequences are noted, including for the evolution of the mental sphere of the population. The article demonstrates important strategic directions for the development of the information society in modern Russia. It is emphasized that the processes of digitalization of the public life spheres and the new risks associated with it pose special tasks for modern social policy, in particular, in matters of purposefully increasing the level of information culture of the population, the quality of human capital and preparing society for global technological changes.