International cooperation

SP-YOUNG strategic partnerships at LChrA

Latvian Christian academy launches strategic partnership research on September 1-3, 2020 in cooperation with Social work experts from Malmo University (Sweden), University of Warsaw and University of Bialystok (Poland), and Klaipeda University (Lithuania). The overall goal of the partnership research is to promote the innovative development of Social work profession within the EU context. The work will go on two more years when strategic guidelines for EU universities offering social work study programmes will be presented aiming at Social work with young people. The new guidelines will comply with EC Social Agenda, and upgraded and innovative, European approach to clients will be introduced. A special course module along with the study material will be worked out. The basis for current discussions is discourse “SP-YOUNG Discourse of Cross-Border Situation”, published by prof. Skaidrīts Gūtmane, Rector of Latvian Christian academy. She worked on the publication whole last year and now it is available for further steps of the partnership project.

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New research on Caritative Social Work in EBSCO

Reserach by prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane “Caritative Social work as Innovation from Antiquity” was published in Proceedings of Kolping University of Applied Sciences “Challenges and social responsibility in business”, Lithuania, June, 2020, pp. 22-40. EBSCO data base.

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Initiative of Christians for Europe / IXE-Group online meeting

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.

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International EZA seminar on Life-Long Learning in the Baltic States and EU

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.

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International EZA seminar (using ZOOM)

Important for all students and educators!
Latvian Christian academy in cooperation with EZA (European Center for Workers’ Questions, EC – Germany) hosts international seminar “Life-Long learning for Increasing Labour Participation and Inclusive Work-Life in the Baltic States against the Background of the Other EU Countries” will be hosted by Latvian Christian academy in May 21-23, 2020.
Key topics of the seminar:
Life-long learning in Latvia and Europe after Covid-19? Why life-long learning matters? Why European Commission has emphasized the issue in the context of formal and non-formal education? What are criteria for that type of education?
Experts in higher education and life-long learning from
Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia will be speakers at the seminar.

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Zentralkomitee der deutschen Katholiken and Semaines Sociales de France have published a Declaration on the 70th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration on 9th May

Latvian Christian academy is member of the Semaines Sociales de France think-tank IXE-group. This organization is guided by recognition of common European values which were put in writing by on the European Founding Fathers Robert Schumann (1886-1963). Commemorating 70 years of the Schuman Declaration on 9th May “Zentralkomitee der deutschen Katholiken: and SSF have published Declaration available here.

R.Schumann insisted that joint labors of European citizens must be aimed at solidarity since only then we can work for peace and well-being in our continent. “The spirit of EU is a spirit of solidarity,” R.Schumann wrote, adding: “national activities should be taken within the context of interpersonal, international and global context.”
Consequently, individual attitudes must be changed and Christian social teaching must be used as foundation to promote respect and protection of every person for the benefit of common well-being.

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International seminar for students on “European Sacred Art Heritage for Social Europe of Hope”

An international seminar (online) for students “European Sacred Art Heritage for Social Europe of Hope” was hosted by Latvian Christian Academy in March 20, 2020. Art department students presented four reports which won special Award in the Competition “Best Research paper in 2019”. The seminar was attended by Klaipeda Art College (LT), Orthodox Academy of Crete (GR) with presentations on Ecology issues reflected in Art.

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EZA seminar in Gdansk

EZA seminar “Breaking new ground – efficient organisation and design of educational measures to create added value in the social dialogue” was held in Gdansk, December 5-7, 20919. The venue was chosen with purpose – the building next to the Gdansk shipyard witnessed historical events of 1970 and 1981 when Polish trade-union “Solidarnošč” was founded and social dialog as we understand it today started. Historical Agreement between the Communist government and “Solidarnošč” opened doors for independent trade unions in the then Communist country. Latvian Christian academy was represented by ass.prof. Guntis Dišlers.

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EC EZA General assembly and Kick-off seminar in Aachen

General assembly of the EC organization EZA (“European Center for Workers’ Questions”) was held in November 28-29, 2019, Aachen Germany. It was dedicated to social changes related to Climate Changes worldwide (link to various EC documents here; link to EZA page here here. The Assembly and Seminar was attended by Rector of Latvian Christian academy prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane and assist.prof. Guntis Dišlers.

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Rector of LChrA prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane lecturing in Klaipeda University and addressing Conference of Lithuanian Social policy makers

Rector of Latvian Christian academy prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane visited Klaipeda University (Lithuania) as guest professor presenting “Innovation of Caritative social work” to both Bachelor, Master and Doctoral students in November 18-22, 2019. In a plenary session of the conference for Lithuanian social policy makers Rector presented “Innovation of Caritative social work” (November 21). The course was organized by Klaipeda University. In photo: prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane together with KU colleagues; first from the right – prof. Elvīra Aciene, Head of the Social work Chair.

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