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”.
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.
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.
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.
Starting from 2019 Latvian Christian academy participates in the international interuniversities cooperation project “Social professions for supporting youth empowerment in European solidarity context (proj.nr. 2019-1-PL01-KA203-065091)”. Other partners of the project are Klaipeda University (LT), Malmoe University (SE), Warsaw University (PL) and Byelostok University (PL). Rector of LChrA prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane is coordinator of the cooperation.
Annual regional conference of teachers and social workers from Liepāja district was held in Liepāja city “Latvian Society House” in October 21, 2019. Rector of Latvian Christian academy prof. Skaidrīte Gūtmane was invited as key speaker, the topic of her presentation was “Axiology and values in the context of communication”. The annual conference is unique due to its ability to gather professionals from various fields under one roof with Christian clergy willing to join their efforts and share their experience in the field. The conference was officially hosted by the Liepāja City Municipality.
Rector of Latvian Christian Academy prof. Skaidrite Gūtmane was accepted in the group of inter-institutional experts working on actualization of the “Standard of the Social work profession” in Latvia. Prof. S.Gūtmane was member also of the former MW experts’ group working on the Social work profession standard (approved in 2010).
International Congress “Social Glocalisation” was held in September 19-21, 2019, in Cologne (Germany). The term “glocalization” describes mutual interaction between global and local initiatives in Social work research and education on a worldwide scale. The Congress gathered wide spectrum of specialists from Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, USA, India, Japan, Ukraine, Iran, African countries. The congress was addressed by Cardinal Tucson, well-known experts in Human rights, education professionals. Rector of Latvian Christian academy prof. Skaidrite Gūtmane presented “Initiative of Caritative Social work in Latvia”, causing great interest and willing to share and exchange contacts. More information about the congress here.
Dr.habil., ass.prof. Bogdan-Mihai Iovu from Babes-Bolyai University (Cluj-Napoka, Romania) was lecturing on “Children rights and Society” against vast European legislation background, September 16-20, 2019. Lectures were adressed to all students of Social work and Caritative social work. See him in picture on the right!
Lecturer from Bethlehem University (Palestine) Mrs. Naila Muslekh visited Latvian Christian Academy in September 16-20, 2019, lecturing on “The Hierarchy Model in Community work with families in Palestine: Hierarchy and Social Time”. The lecture was addressed to the teaching staff and the final stage of students.