This was a keynote invited lecture at the Social Work Congress (Kongres socialnega dela), which is organized every couple of years in Slovenia and is targeting social work academics (domestic and international), researchers, practitioners, students and social policy makers. This acheivement is important because the lecture was very well received among the audience, including social work practitioners and academics in social work. In the next months, a scientific paper based on this lecture will be published. This keynote is relevant also because it demonstrates, that the author is recognized as a key expert for social work ethics in Slovenian social work context. Summary: Ethics in social work are deeply linked with the values, tasks and aims of the profession that is grounded in combining scientific principles and normative judgements. Nevertheless, the reality and praxis of social work are often in conflict with its – recorded in ethical codes, Global Definition of Social Work, Global Social Work Statement of Ethical Principles – ethical basis, aiming at pursuing social justice and its humanist orientation towards equality of all people. The analyses of processes of conduct and decision-making of social workers and their ethical dilemmas (shown in research in Slovenia, as well as elsewhere, like in Italy, Netherlands, Great Britain, Germany) uncovers the frequency of conflicts between the desire to help (and in what ways) and administrative and organizational barriers: the social workers are torn between demonstrating their (economic) efficiency and showing whom they actually, really owe their loyalty to. Also in Slovenia (possibly for over a decade, since the financial crisis in 2008), we have been aware of the negative impact of the neoliberal politics and new managerialism practices on the aims to work toward the best interests of service users and in supporting positive change in societies. As research in Slovenia (similarly to research elsewhere, for example in Romania) shows, the decision-making of social workers in practice takes place in a context of confusing, even conflicting legislation, bureaucratization, financial restrictions and technologies of control, and on the other side in the context of expectations regarding their personal sacrifices and moral values, which should be followed regardless of work overloads, limited time with service users and political and media exposure and vulnerability. This invited lecture explores, how is it possible to follow ethical principles and humanist orientations of social work in such contexts? Can social work at all be a profession, where human rights and humanism hold a central position?
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 5199973This was a presentation of part of the findings of the research in the project at a world congress for social work: which is a scientific acheivement, but also an opportunity to receive ample and diverse feedback and suggestions. The acheivement is also relevant in the sense of presenting Slovenian science in an international arena. A direct result of the presentation was an invitation to become a member of the DARSIG research group, which is the only group worldwide, that bienally organizes a conference event dedicated particularly to decision-making (DARE conference). Research in social work practice in Slovenia has shown that ‘relationship’ is the central ‘tool’ enabling social workers to understand their practices: it is “what they do”. The qualitative research with social workers has been conducted via narrative interviews (in2016) and this presentation will outline its results linked to the relationship in social work practice. The interviewees have thematized relationships as (1) relationships as trust and a source of empowerment; (2) respect for service users as a basis for sound practice; (3) interconnectedness between personal relationships and rofessional work. The relationship was defined also as a perspective that serves for legitimizing professional decisions, and understood as a professional working method. The social workers have also stressed, that the importance of relationship in professional work is not given due recognition, and this in their view signifies a devaluation of the profession, as well as professionals. This research has, on the other hand, revealed also that while relationships are the core in social work practice, it is sometimes easy to overlook, that they are not necessarily only a space of trust and cooperation, but can also be a polygon for power relations as well as disappointments, are thus not only useful and safe, but can also be risky. All the above research findings will be discussed through the perspective of implications for social work education, preparing social workers for professional practice.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 5024101A Thesaurus of social work was published (online) in 2019, and I contributed in areas of ethics, reseraching ethics, professional identity, ethical dilemmas etc. The thesaurus is important both for the science of social work in Slovenia, as for the development of social work terminology in Slovenian language.
D.11 Other
COBISS.SI-ID: 302202368I was invited to contrinute to the improvements of the Code of ethics in social welfare. This is an important acheivement, as it demonstrates that I was recognized as a relevant expert for ethics in social work; this is also an important socio-economic acheivement, as the development of ethical standards and principles is an important part of the development of a profession.
D.11 Other
COBISS.SI-ID: 300871424This is an exceptional acheivement, as I was invited to deliver a masterclass along with internationally esteemed professors in social work ethics, as part of a scientific conference of the EASSW in Madrid, in 2019. The event is also very relevant for the promotion of Slovenian science internationally. Summary: This knowledge exchange session (‘master class’) is premised upon the belief that values and ethics are integral to any concept of ‘quality’ in social work education and practice. High quality social work education is based on the creation of mutual respect between all participants. This involves: valuing diverse knowledges; creating safe yet challenging spaces for reflection, critical dialogue and debate; and cultivating students’ moral strengths or ‘virtues’ (e.g. professional ethical wisdom, moral courage, justice, empathy, professional integrity and honesty). This process of learning aims to enable students to perform as both technically competent and ethically committed practitioners. In an increasingly complex and challenging world, with shortages of resources and staff, learning and teaching on the theme of ethics is a vital component of social work education. The facilitators of this session will share some of their approaches to teaching ethics for contemporary practice, with space for discussion and engagement with the audience. They will focus specifically on case-based learning, considering the advantages and disadvantages of different types of cases and how they can be used creatively in ethics teaching.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 5173861