Description
The education of social workers is going through tremendous changes internationally. In Slovakia, similarly to Norway, it is necessary to adjust this education in a way that it will react to the needs of constantly changing society, to new challenges related with the processes of globalization and modernization, but also to the aging of the population and thus to problems of clients that are very relevant for social workers working currently in the field. The objective of the project is; (1) to increase the quality of study programs offered under the field of study of social work at Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia and at Lillehammer University College, Norway; (2) to strengthen practical education of students in an international context; (3) to develop inter-disciplinary education and (4) to create a platform for a long-term cooperation between partners. These goals will be met through a mutual cooperation of academics in Slovakia and Norway aimed at the exchange of experience and knowledge related to theoretical and practical preparation of students of social work and research activities carried out by partners, and the preparation and publishing of a mutual university textbook. The textbook will be used by students of both universities. Donor project partner, Lillehammer University College in Norway is an equal partner actively involved in all project activities. Thanks to the partnership joint conference will be organised; joint academic articles will be published and mobilities of academics and students will take place.
Summary of project results
The project reacted to the need of developing the education of social workers and reacting in it to the actual problems of practice in the international context. The intention of the project was to assist to increase the quality of services in social work practice.A new university textbook in Slovak and Norwegian language “Sociálna práca a súčasnosť. Slovensko-Nórske perspektívy“ (Social work and present. Slovak-Norwegian perspectives) is one of the results of cooperation of 5 Slovak an 3 Norwegian academics. The focus of the project was the organization of a joint 2-day international conference "Perspectives in the protection of children and youth in the context of social work in Slovakia, Norway and other countries". The conference included 4 main lectures and 18 professional workshops. Two proceedings and expert articles were published at the conference, available on the project website.3 Slovak students attended a weeklong stay at a partner institution where, besides lectures, they also participated in excursions to social services facilities.
Summary of bilateral results
The project partner was included in all phases of the project realization and in all activities (editing and production of the text-book, the contributions and the collections, active participation in the conference orchestration, active performance on the conference, orchestration and participation in common nobilities of teachers and students). The project strengthened the cooperation between the two university institutions but also between other universities and between the academic ground and practice (preferably through the conference). The outputs can be used not only in the educational process but also in practice of social work in both countries at increasing the quality of its services. The asset of the project is also the improvement of the mutual understanding of both cultures and context in which the social work and university education is developing.