Skaidrīte Gūtmane

Monograph by Rector ECA prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane published

We study society and client in order to understand it, lead it and inspire! Today (May 22, 2023) monograph by the founder and strategic implementator of European Christian Academy, its rector prof. Skaidrite Gūtmane “Towards the culture of compassion”. The monograph is dedicated to the concept of caritative social work developed at the Academy, its anthropological concept and methodology in the risk society. Monogrpah comprises vast bibliography. Congratulations!

Meeting with President of Latvia

In April 20, 2023, President of Latvia met Rector of European Christian Academy prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane and visiting prof. of the Academy, DrHC George v. Durtanossky, professor in Calligraphy and Paleography (Germany, Macedonia), head of SCRIPRORIUM at ECA. Prof. Durtanossky presented to the President the hand-written Preamble of Latvian Constitution, which is an excellent peace of art.

Two days seminar with participants from diverse Universities on Christian social work development.

European Christian Academy was considered by Christian Social Work Association as innovative for social work development in Europe. Among social work specialists and educators from Norway, Wheaton College (USA), EHB (Germany), CHE (The Netherlands), CHAT (Poland), Partium (Romania) will give reports on Christian work innovations and foresights. European Christian Academy will report on importance of sytemic knowledge in anthropology which comes from Judeo-Christian revelation and Church fathers in Patristics. Innovation which streams from “antique” sources has become in society of risk we live in of great importance for professional client-oriented social work development in the 21st century. Reports will be given by prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane, assist. prof. Guntis Dišlers, assist. prof. Dace Dolace. Mentioned teachers will take part in three workshops held in May 10-11, 2023, in The Netherlands. The conference is organized by University of Applied Sciences of Socoial Work (CHE) (The Netherlands). Two days together to exchange ideas, to network and to explore options for joint study programs.

EZA conference in Brussels

International conference “Workers’ organizations as motivators of social innovations” organized by EZA (European Center for Workers’) was held in Brussels, March 21-23, 2023. Participants form European Christian Academy – Rector Skaidrīte Gūtmane and assist.prof. Guntis Dišlers took part in the panel discussion “Innovations and industrial future in the changing world”.

Lectures for social work specialists in Jelgava district

Seminar for social workers, social rehabilitators and other specialists in helping professions from Jelgava district was held in April 4, 2023. Prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane lectured on topic “Anthropological innovations for development of the client-oriented social today”. Second part of the day was organized by three workshops: “Community sensitivity and delopment”, “Stability, order and morality”, “Kinship, safety, security, empathy”.

EC-EZA General Assembly

EZA General Assemby of EC organization EZA (European Center for Workers’ Questions) conviened in Vilnius (LT), December 2022. The key topic was development of the European Social dialogue. European Christian Academy is one of the key partners with EC organiztions since 2004. Rector of EZA prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane took part in discussions and group work.

On transforming attitude towards client in Social work practice

Journal for Social work development “Sociālais darbs Latvijā” [“Social work in Latvia’] (Nr. 1, 2021) has published an article by Rector of Latvian Christian academy prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane “Transforming attitude towards client: An experience of the Antioch anthropological and theolocial school”. The publication presents the concept of the Academy as rooted in the Christian Church heritrage. Link to the publication here (in Latvian, annotated in English, PDF).

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

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”.

Annual RENOVABIS Congress

Rector of LChrA prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane attended the annual RENOVABIS Congress in September 8-10, 2020 (online). Cooperation models between the Church and educational institutions were discussed. RENOVABIS is a solidarity initiative of the German Catholics with the people in Central and Eastern Europe; Latvian Christian academy is parnering with RENOVABIS since late 1990-ies.