in the local community

In a modern, Western type of society, professional Social Work is an important instrument to cope with social problems and to deal with vulnerable groups in society. Together with their clients, social workers try to influence every day life circumstances of people in an ongoing effort to enhance the social quality of life.

To support and to facilitate this important work, local and regional governments have to develop and implement social policy, local social policy, in which objectives are formulated, target groups are chosen, priorities are set and resources are mobilized. In my lecture I will describe Modern professional Social Work, explain its functions and position in modern society, and connect it with social policy and active citizenship in the local community.

Local social policy, social work and active citizenship are “three of a kind”. They are connected with, and depending from each other. They are vital for society, because they create and maintain basic conditions for the further development of social quality, for cooperation and for democracy on the local level, in cities and towns. 

It is high time to open perspectives on a better life for the many people who are not able to participate in society due to poverty, handicap, addictions and unemployment. We have to prevent social isolation and – even worse - social exclusion of big groups in the modernizing societies in Eastern Europe. Dr. Marius Povilas Saulauskas, sociologist at Vilnius University, makes ongoing analyses of these developments in Lithuania. I consider his results as a warning: do something before too many people in your country go down! Reach out your hand, give them support, provide them with the services they need and help them with mastering and managing their own lifes again. In other words: develop social policy, modernize social work, and stimulate citizen participation in your local communities!

There is much work to do in the social sector. Meaningful work that especially can be attractive for youngsters, because it can give them a professional perspective and keeps them in your country, instead of going away. This is a nice, but realistic thought. Keep it in mind: raising the social quality of life goes hand in hand with the creation of jobs!    

The coming years offer you many chances. All sorts of European Funds are opening, and many social workers and social institutions in the West are willing to share their expertise with you. Become active, make use of it and go on building up your society!