The annual conference of the Latvian Association of Social Workers 2023
On the 10th of November 2023, the annual conference of the Latvian Association of Social Workers took place, focusing on “Uncomfortable Topics in Society and Solutions in Social Work.”
This time, the conference addressed issues considered uncomfortable in both society at large and the daily practice of social workers. The presentations centred on social work with youth exhibiting behavioural problems, assistance during mourning, care needs for terminal clients, social work in the non-governmental sector, and other related topics.
The conference took place at Katoļu Street 22, in the premises of the Latvian Samaritans Association “SenRīga”. Approximately 50 attendees were present on-site, with 200 participating online through the Zoom platform.
The topics and speakers of the presentations covered various aspects of social work. Sanita Siņica, an expert from the Latvian Rare Diseases Alliance project, shared insights into the role of non-governmental organizations in social work and analyzed a specific client case. Ilze Skrodele-Dubrovska, Director of the Social Work and Social Assistance Policy Department at the Ministry of Welfare, provided an overview of contributions to the development of social work from 2015 to 2028. Gunita Dzene, a community social worker from Ādaži municipality, shared her experience in community social work, while Guna Garokalna-Bihela presented her experience working with children with behavioural disorders from Germany in Latvia.
Ivita Puķīte, the head of the Family Support Centre at the Latvian SOS Children’s Village Association, presented a preventive work programme in preschool educational institutions as a resource for recognizing family social problems. Dace Zušmane, a professional chaplain with experience from the USA, provided insights into being alongside those in mourning and methods of grief healing. Valters Kaže from RISEBA presented a study on the “invisible” socially excluded individuals in Baltic society, including many employed in social care services.
Andris Bērziņš from the Latvian Samaritans Association shared experiences in providing palliative care, its social component, and opportunities for voluntary work in fulfilling the “last wishes” of terminally ill individuals. Within the conference, a discussion took place on uncomfortable topics and hidden issues in social work, moderated by Mārtiņš Moors, with participants Dace Zušmane, Guna Garokalna-Bihela, Andris Bērziņš, and Sanita Siņica.
The 2/2023 issue of the periodical “Social work in Latvia” has been published From August 2nd to 4th, 2024, the annual discussion camp organized by the Latvian Association of Social Workers
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