Published Paper Details:

Integrated Rural Development is a comprehensive process that aims at the overall development of rural society by addressing economic, social, educational, health, cultural, and moral dimensions of life. This approach recognizes that sustainable rural development cannot be achieved through economic growth alone, but requires coordinated efforts across multiple sectors. In this process, the role of the social worker extends beyond service delivery and assumes a significant leadership dimension. A social worker acts as a catalyst of change, facilitating community participation, identifying local needs, mobilizing resources, and ensuring effective coordination between government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and rural communities. Leadership qualities such as vision, communication skills, democratic values, decision-making ability, and social commitment enable the social worker to guide rural communities toward self-reliance and sustainable development. This research paper examines the leadership functions of social workers in the process of integrated rural development. It highlights how social workers promote people's participation, strengthen local institutions, address social inequalities, and lead social change in rural areas. The study emphasizes that effective leadership by social workers is essential for empowering rural communities and achieving inclusive and sustainable rural development.