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 “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”.
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!
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”.
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.
In August 22, 2020, Latvian Orthodox Church in cooperation with “Latvijas Pasts” and Latvian Christian academy presented postal stamp commemorating 750 years since the “Gospel from Jersika” was copied by Latvian Orthodox believer named Jurģis. It is the oldest known Gospel text from Latvia. The presentation was done in Riga Latvian Society House and was attended by President of Latvian Academy of Sciences Dr. Ojārs Spārītis, Director of Fundamental Library of Latvian University Dr. Venta Kocere, clergym artists and academics. Rector of Latvian Christian academy adressed the audience with extended history overview illuminating development of Orthodox Christianity in Latvia.
In order to be qualified for the new Covid-19 situation when meetings and conferences are held online, EZA (European Center for Workers’ Questions) organized online instructing seminar and sharing between partners. Latvian Christian academy was represented by as.prof. Guntis Dišlers. Our Academy is preparing itself for the first EZA online international seminar at the end of May.
Online meeting with “Initiatives of Christians in Europe” (IXE-Group) was held in June, 2020 and activities related to the Europe Day (May 9) were discussed. Latvian Christian academy is member of the network since 2005.
In May 21-23, 2020, Latvian Christian academy hosted international seminar “Life-Long Learning for Increasing Labour Participation and Inclusive Work-Life in the Baltic States against the Background of Other EU countries”. The seminar was organized in cooperation with European Center for Workers’ Questions (EZA, Germany). Due to Civid-19 restrictions only speakers from the Baltic States were able to travel, whereas all participants and speakers from Germany and Poland were connected via ZOOM. The seminar was introduced by Mrs Sigrid Schraml, Secretary General of EZA. Among the speakers were H.U.Nordhaus ( EZA expert from German Trade Union Federation DGB), Agnieszka Piasecka-Robak (University of Lower Silesia, Wroclaw, Poland), Elvyra Aciene (Klaipeda University, Honorary president of Association of Lithuanian Social Work Universities, Lithuania), Aimar Altosaar (President of “The Golden League” NGO, Estonia), Pēteris Krīgers (member of (European Economic and Social Committee), Baiba Rivža (Vice-president of Latvian Academy of Sciences), Sarmīte Pīlāte (Director Latvian Adult Education Association, Latvia). The seminar was hosted by Skaidrīte Gūtmane, Rector of Latvian Christian academy.