Russian–United States Collaboration:
Social Welfare Issues
 

International Definition of Social Work

The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilizing theories of human behavior and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work. International Federation of Social Workers

History of Collaboration

* 1994 - SW Texas Conference of United Methodist Church established Russian Initiative in Vologda
* 2004 – Texas State & Methodist Church hosts Russian visitors to Child Welfare Agencies & University in Central Texas
* 2006 & 2007 & 2008 - Vologda State Pedagogical University hosts U.S. visitors to Social Service Agencies & University in Vologda Region of Russia
* 2008 – Texas State University hosts Russian visitor to REP conference, campus, central Texas Social Service Agencies

Present Realities in Russia

* A federal republic
* Most former republics united in vague alliance: Commonwealth of Independent States
* Soviet era policies - i.e. centralized control
* Religious participation increasing
* Rapid social change
* Economic reorganization

Vologda - Medieval City
Vologda State Pedagogical University

* Type of University
* Number of students
* Social Work Department
* Number of Social Work students
* Focus of Social Work curriculum
 

Social Work Education in Russia

* Relatively new professional discipline
* Progressive agenda
* Cross-cultural/cross-discipline collaboration
* Limited resources

Site Visits to Social Service Agencies

* Phoenix House
* Orphanage
* Center for Social Aid to Families
* Women’s Prison

Social Problems: Social Service Personnel

* Alcohol Dependence
* Poverty
* Homelessness - especially children
* Family violence
* Health/Mental Health
* Transitional issues

Social Service Delivery in Russia

* Primarily government sponsored
* Movement from institutional to community based
* Absence of Soviet era safety net
* Government investment in transformation of social services
* Volunteerism
* Criminal Justice

Future Collaboration

* Study abroad
* Faculty exchanges
* Research
* Grant proposal writing to fund future efforts

They have a saying in Russian, “Tishe yedesh, dal’sho budesh,”
which means, “The more quietly you go, the farther you go.”