News

Latvian Christian academy – in dealing with COVID

COVID-19 has dramatically influenced all our lives around the globe both personally and nationally. Virus has taken thousands around the world, creating psychological, social, economic crises. Latvian Christian academy has come up with several publications dealing with the issue and recovery beyond the pandemic:

Gūtmane S. Zināsim vairāk, izdarīsim labāk. [Knowing More, Doing Better], (journal “Sociālais darbinieks”, in print.)

Dišlers G. Vīruss pirms vīrusa. [Virus before the Virus], (in print).

Dolace D. Supervision Methods with People in Crisis. (in print).

In preparation:

Gūtmane S. Helpful of Harmful? The Role of Personality Traits in Student Experiences of the COVID-19 Crisis and School Closure.

Gūtmane S. Green Recovery Social Work policies for the COVID-19 crisis.

Dolacis V. COVID-19 and the Caring for God’s Creation Through Environmental Stewardship.

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The European Centre for Workers’ Questions (EZA) mourns the death of its co-founder and Honorary President Leo Pauwels

The European Centre for Workers’ Questions (EZA) mourns the death of its co-founder and Honorary President Leo Pauwels, in 19 October 2020 at the age of 84. We at Latvian Christian academy were priveldged to know Leo since beginning of EZA extension in Latvia in 2004.
Leo Pauwels was President of EZA from 07.11.1998 to 02.12.2006. The General Assembly elected him Honorary President in 2006 after his retirement as President.
Leo was a European through and through. For him, education was an essential element for human freedom and for the development and strengthening of democracy.
Since 1960 Leo was active for the Christian labour movement in Flanders. His untiring commitment to workers’ rights and decent work was deeply rooted in his faith and deep conviction that Christian social teaching could make an essential contribution and be a source of inspiration for shaping the economic order and the world of work.
From the very beginning in the mid-1980s and especially after the opening of the Iron Curtain, Leo has shaped all the steps towards the foundation and further development of EZA, so that from the five founding countries a Europe-wide network with 70 members in 30 countries has grown. He brought with him his rich knowledge of the Christian workers’ movement in Europe and his conviction of the importance of European integration.
Leo was therefore also significantly involved in the development of the EUCDW.
Without Leo the European Social Week in its present form would not be conceivable. Since the first European Social Week in 1997 in the European Parliament in Brussels, the exchange between representatives of workers’ organisations, employers’ associations, science, churches and politics about basic Christian social values as a compass and how they can be translated into concrete political action was close to his heart.
With Leo we are losing a cornerstone of our network and a friend.
We are grateful for all the encounters we have had with Leo over the years. He managed to bring people together and to integrate them, to be a source of strength for others. With his optimism, his creativity, his sense of mysticism and beauty, his devotion he has touched our souls and left traces that remain. His life will continue to be a source of inspiration for EZA.
All our sympathy goes to Leo’s wife Ann, his children and grandchildren.
We live in the confidence that he will return home to God.

IXE-Group Statement on Human Dignity and Solidarity as Pillars for a New European Asylum System

“Semaines Sociales de France” (SSF) and the “Central Committee of German Catholics” (ZdK) think-tank “IXE-Group” (“Initiatives of Christians for Europe”) have published Statement “On Human Dignity and Solidarity as Pillars for a New European Asylum System”. The meeting between the Think-tank IXE-Group members (D, D, ES, CZ, LU, F, PL – also GB present) was held in Madrid, October 9-10, 2020 (partially online via ZOOM). ector of Latvian Christian academy prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane attended the meeting. The discussion touched an integrated and comprehensive approach to the multidimensional migration policy in the EU member states. The Document is available here: 201012 IXE statement asylum en final

Strategic partnerships for interdisciplinary research in modern Social work – discussions

Consortium “BE-YOUNG Strategic partnerships for interdisciplinary research in modern Social work issues” organized online ZOOM discussions between partners (Klaipeda University, Biolostok University, Warsaw University, Malmo University) in October 5, 2020. Discussions were focused on interdisciplinarity and other methodological aspects of “Module for SW education”. The discussion was hosted by Latvian Christian academy.

Conference for Middle School Teachers and Pedagogy Researchers

Conference for Middle School teachers and pedagogy researchers “Cooperation competence in modern and future education” will be held in Ulbroka Cultural Center, Riga, October 22, 2020. The goal of the Conference is to promote alignment of the school pedagogy practice with research in modern pedagogy science. Rector of Latvian Christian academy prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane will take part in the plenary session with presentation “Open Education Systems in Art and Social Education in Unity: Methodological Challenges”.

Digitalization of Study Programs at LChrA

State Education Development Agency (Latvia) organizes seminar on digitalization of study programs in Latvian Universities, October 8, 2020. Mrs. Beata Soloveja and Mr. Valters Dolacis from the International Department at LChrA were appointed as participants.

Latvian Christian academy has started digitalization of its study courses in summer 2020 and students are welcomed to join both Youtube channel and ZOOM for online courses.

Initiative of Christians for Europe / IXE-Group online meeting

Next online meeting of the Initiative of Christians for Europe / IXE-Group scheduled forOctober 9-10, 2020. The Agenda of the meeting foresees discussion of the Covid-19 situation in Europe and sharing on the 5th anniversary of “Laudato si’ – On Care for Our Common Home” by Pope Francis on political and institutional levels.

SO SAD!

Due to COVID-19 pandemics our ERASMUS students from Greece are leaving. They spent almost a year with us – we will miss you!

What does the Academy do for the promotion of the Social Europe Consciousness?

In order to promote development of the Social Europe consciousness, Europan Commission  organizes a “Have Your Say for Reinforcing Social Europe”. Key documents like “European Social Pillar of Social Rights”,  “20 Key Principles” and “Strong Social Europe for Just Transitions” are recommended for discussions and analysis. The seminar for LChrA students was held online in October 6, 2020; the seminar was hosted by specialists of the Caritatyive social work study programme.

Prof. Elvyra Aciene from Klaipeda University – DrHC at Latvian Christian Academy

Honorary title Doctor Honoris Causa was conferred to Mrs. Elvyra Aciene, professor in Social work at Klaipeda University (Lithuania), September 25, 2020. Professor Aciene for long time was Head of the Social Work Chair at the Universitt. She has played important role in launching Social Work Doctoral study programme Consortium at Latvian Christian academy (in cooperation with EZA – European Center for Workers’ Questions), participated in international projects and promoted international perspective of Latvian Christian Academy. The Diploma was presented in a special open Senate meeting in September 25, 2020, via ZOOM. We praise and congratulate prof. Aciene with the award!

International Social Work conference at Klaipeda University celebrating 25 Years of the Department

In September 25, 2020, an International social work conference “Humaneness, Social Work, XXI century” was held at Klaipeda University (Lithuania), celebrating 25 years of Social work department. Rector of Latvian Christian academy prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane participated in the plenary session with the presentation “Client-focused Caritative Social work in the Risk Society Today”.

Icon Painting Summer School – August 2020!

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Latvian Christian Academy in AUGUST 10-16, 2020, organizes SUMMER SCHOOL IN ICON PAINTING to go through all phases of Icon painting starting from preparation of the Icon board until the final varnish of the ready painting. Summer School provides theoretical and practical basis for canonical Icon painting.
Date and venue: August 10-16, in Jūrmala (Latvia), Bulduri (address: Vienības prospekts 23), in the premises of Latvian Christian Academy.
Training fee: 250 EUR + materials.

Icon Painting Summer School – August 2019!

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Latvian Christian Academy in AUGUST 19-25, 2019, organizes SUMMER SCHOOL IN ICON PAINTING, in which there is possibility to go through all phases of Icon painting – starting with the preparation of Icon board until the final varnish of ready painting. Summer School provides theoretical and practical basis of canonical Icon painting.
Date and venue: August 19-25, in Jūrmala (Latvia), Bulduri (address: Vienības prospekts 23), in the premises of Latvian Christian Academy.
Training fee: 250 EUR + materials.

Award for succesful ERASMUS+ implementation.

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In December 8, 2017, Latvian Christian academy was awarded for successful implementation of the ERASMUS+ mobility studies program. As we all know, ERASMUS is celebrating 30 years  in 2018, whereas in Latvia we have it for 18 years.ERASMUS+ has given an opportunity to ensure both students’ and teachers’ mobility across Europe, as well promoted involvement […]

Excellent results for the Jean Monnet Programme application!

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European Commission has selected only 44 applications (out of 737 from different EU countries) fit for strict requirements of the Jean Monnet Programme, EC. The goal of the Programme is to promote excellence in European studies and research worldwide, to work for dialogue between academia and policy makers especially promoting administration of the EU policy. […]