1

SPONSORS

Project Casa Mare

Free International
University of
Moldova
York College of

The City University

of New York
United States
Department of
State
In collaboration under the Memoranda of Understanding with
Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family and
2 of Republic of Moldova
Ministry of Education

1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR

ADVANCEMENT OF SOCIAL WORK IN
COUNTRIES WITH TRANSITION ECONOMY

Program
and
Abstracts

CHIINU, MOLDOVA
June 23-25, 2015

Many thanks to the

International Scientific Review Committee

Barbara Levy Simon, United States
David Strug, United States
Kristen Brendel, United States
Selena Rodgers, United States
Priscilla Gibson, United States
Linda Wermeling, United States
Jami Curley, United States

Organizing Committee
Viorelia Moldovan-Batrinac, Vice-rector, ULIM
Svetlana Rusnac, Dean, Psychology, Education Sciences and Social Assistance,
ULIM
Iulia Iurchevici, Department Head, Sociology and Social Assistance, ULIM
The Project Casa Mare team:
Vadim Moldovan, PhD, LCSW, CUNY-York College
Justin Grotelueschen, LMSW, CUNY-Hunter College
Irina Gutu, MSW, ULIM
Alina Zagorodniuc, MSW candidate, ULIM
Eugeniu Rotari, MSW candidate, ULIM

Welcome address
On behalf of the Organizing and Scientific Committees, I welcome you to the
International Conference for Advancement of Social Work in Countries with
Transition Economies. This event is dedicated to the cause of education,
professionalization, and legitimization of the social work profession in countries of
the post-Soviet realm. The serious social problems that are associated with transition
from planned to mixed and market economies require a social work cadre capable of
meeting the challenge of professional, competent, and ethical practice.
This Conference is designed to create a network of social work educators and
practitioners who share their knowledge, skills, and values toward the mission of
modernization of the social work profession not only in countries with transition
economies, but throughout the world. With participation and support from such
global organizations as the International Association of Schools of Social Work,
European Association of Schools of Social Work, International Federation of Social
Workers, and Council on Social Work Education, this event will create a platform for
a continuing dialogue between scientists, educators, students, and practitioners that
will yield new knowledge, novel methodologies, and cutting edge social work
practices suitable for societies in countries with transition economies and beyond.
I would like to thank members of the Conference Organizing and Scientific
Committees, Free International University of Moldova, York College of the City
University of New York, and Project Casa Mare staff who took part in organizing this
event.
With warm regards,

Vadim Moldovan, LCSW, PhD

Associate Professor of Social Work
York College of The City University of New York
Project Casa Mare, Director
Fulbright Scholar 2014-2015

PROGRAM

8:30-17:00
9:00-10:30

10:30-11:00
11:00-12:30
12:30-13:30
13:30-15:00

15:00-15:30
15:30-17:00

Tuesday, June 23th

Registration
ULIM Lobby
Opening Ceremony:
Greetings from Andrei Galben, Rector ULIM
Greetings from Viorelia Moldovan-Batrinac, Vice-Rector ULIM
Greetings from Svetlana Rusnac, Dean ULIM
Greetings from Kate Bartlett, US Embassy
Aula
Greetings from Oxana Domenti, Parliament of Moldova
Magnifica
Greetings from Valentina Buliga, Parliament of Moldova
Greetings from represents of Ministries and local Government in Moldova
Greetings from Panayiotis Meleties, Provost, York College, CUNY (video)
Welcome from Project Casa Mare: Vadim Moldovan, Director
Coffee break
Library
Round Table I: Modernization of social work education. Moderator: Victoria
Mediateca
Gonta and Mariana Zubenschi
Independently
Lunch
Conference Session A
Panel 1. Social Work
Panel 2. Social Work for
Panel 3. Social Work Policy
th
Child
and
Family
(4
(Aula Magnifica)
Education and Theory
(Mediateca)
Library)
Panel Chair: Maria Virlan
Panel Chair: Maria Dita
Panel Chair: Svetlana Haraz 1. The role of social assistant
1. The importance of theory in 1. Aspects of coordination of
in the process of delivering
social work practice. Maria
services for children with
social services. Maria
Dita
disabilities. Svetlana
Virlan
2. Theoretic-conceptual
Haraz
2. Modernization of social
framework of the sociologic 2. Social work in Moldova services in Moldova
approach on human
ways forward. Jo Rogers
through introduction of
behavior from the Social
3. Program evaluation of
Social Expert profession.
Work perspective. Svetlana
families at risk through
Valentina Buliga
Rusnac
the adaptability analysis.
3. Development trends of
3. Model of educational and
Oksana Kuznetsova
methods for social work in
vocational training
4. Adoption between myth
the military conflict
programs in the field of
and truth. Ina Moraru
condition. Elena S.
social protection of
Muradyan
vulnerable groups. Iurii
4. The need of social policies
Zhogno
for society management.
4. Teaching Social Work
Olesea Frunze
concepts through memes
Karissa M. Jackson
5. Curriculum integration as a
key principle of the Master
of Social Work Program.
Vadim Moldovan
Coffee break
Library
Conference Session B
Panel 1. Social Work and Culture and
Panel 2. Social Work Professionalization
Conflict (Mediateca)
(Aula Magnifica)
Panel Chair: Tatiana Degtyarenko
Panel Chair: Ruta Butkeviciene
1. Social meaning of self-awareness of ethnic 1. Study Programme Social Work in
identity. Tatiana Degtyarenko, Irina M.
Medicine at Lithuanian University of
Lesniova
Health Sciences: Developing the
2. Understanding culture and conflict as
Conception of the Study Programme. Ruta
MSW students through a robust field
Butkeviciene, Ramune Jurkuviene, Lina
7

education program. Justin Grotelueschen

3. Active social tolerance: a methodology of
social work education. Irina I. Sheremet

Danuseviciene
2. Vocational outcomes as patterns for
professional success of social workers.
Mariana Zubenschi
3. Integration of people with disabilities in
societies in transition. Aurelia Racu
4. The use of metadata for integration of social
services in Moldova. Eugeniu Rotari, Irina
Gutu
Wednesday, June 24th
8:30-10:30
Registration
Library
9:00-9:30
Video address: Vimla Nadkarni, President of the International Association of
Aula
Schools of Social Work (IASSW)
Magnifica
9:30-10:30
Keynote address: The role of professional associations in strengthening
social work profession. Salome Namicheishvili, International Federation of
Aula
Social Workers (IFSW), Europe, Member at Large. Georgian Association of
Magnifica
Social Workers, Founder, Board Member, Chairperson 2008-2013
10:30-11:00 Coffee break
Library
11:00-12:30 Round Table II: Challenges of Professionalization. Moderator: Irina Lungu
Mediateca
and Svetlana Haraz
Independently
12:3013:30 Lunch
13:30-15:00
Conference Session C
Panel 1. Social Work
Panel 2. Social Work and
Panel 3. Social Work for
th
Culture and Conflict (4
Child and Family (Aula
Education and Training
(Mediateca)
Library)
Magnifica)
Panel Chair: Mihai Bogdan
Panel Chair: Calin Rosu
Panel Chair: Natalia
Iovu
1. Traditional Eastern Europe
Ciubarov
1. A Study of the Attitudes,
cultural values in context of 1. Social support for
Self-efficacy, Effort and
globalization. Calin Rosu
families in-need. Natalia
Academic Achievement of
2. Intellectual and personal
Ciubarov
Social Work Students
potential for achieving
2. Educational activities for
towards Research Methods
social adaptability. Tatiana
teenagers at the psychoand Statistics. Mihai
Degtyarenko, Irina M.
social rehabilitation
Bogdan Iovu
Lesniova
centers. Marina
2. Development of Master
3. Social workers as experts
Sydorchuk
Program in Social Work at
on conflict: Theory and
3. The social framework for
the School of Social Work of
practice of dialectics and
the protection of
the National University of
social work. Vadim
children's rights in
Kiev-Mohyla Academy.
Moldovan
Transnistria. Alla
Natalia Gusak
Poltaretcaia
3. Introducing the first PhD in
SW Program in Ukraine at
the National University of
Kiev-Mohyla Academy.
Nadiya Kabachenko
4. Social Work Doctoral
programs in UK: revisiting
the experience. Oksana
Boiko
5. Job profile of "project
manager" in the social work
field. Mihai Cucereanu
15:00-15:30 Coffee break
Library
8

15:30-17:00

17:00-18:00
19:00-22:00
9:00-10:30
10:30-11:00
11:00-12:00
12:00-13:00
13:00-18:00

Conference Session D
Panel 1. Social Work Education and Supervision
Panel 2. Social Work for Child and
(Mediateca)
Family (4th Library) Panel Chair:
Panel Chair: Miroslaw Grewinski
Corina Lazar
1. Supervision as a mode of advancement of Polish
1. Contemporary methods in social
social work practice. Miroslaw Grewinski
work on working with intrafamilial
2. Work Best Practices - lessons from Poland.
conflict. Corina Lazar
Wojciech Duranowski
2. Family foster care as an innovative
3. New approaches in training of social workers:
component of prevention of child
Strengthening families to ensure child welfare.
abandonment in Ukraine. Zinaida P.
Stela Grigoras, Svetlana Rijicova
Kiyanitsa
4. The importance of supervision for quality in
3. Social support for families in-need.
social services. Iulia Iurchevici
Cristina Coroban
5. Career management an important step for
human resource management. Tatiana Gribincea
Conference Closing Ceremony
Aula
Magnifica
Gala Dinner
Thursday, June 25th
Round Table III: Social Policy in Moldova Prospects and Challenges.
Mediateca
Moderator: Alla Rosca and Maria Virlan.
Coffee break
Library
Round table: Planning Meeting
Mediateca
Lunch
Independetly
Countryside Excursion
Old Orhei

NAVIGATION
5
2

3
1

Free International University of Moldova (ULIM)

1. Andys Pizza
2. Celentano Pizza
3. Opa Greek Cafe
4. Kozlovna Czech Pub & Restaurant,
5. Sun City
6. Caravan

10

ABSTRACTS

11

Boiko, Oksana
boykoo@ukr.net
PhD, Professor, Head of the School of Social Work at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla
Academy, Member of the Board of Directors of Eastern - European Sub-Regional Association of
Schools of Social Work, Ukraine
Social Work Doctoral programs in UK: revisiting the experience
Social work as an academic discipline and a profession needs its own knowledge and theory base to
be developed continuously. The third cycle of education serves these purposes the best. The last
decade specifically has been marked by significant raise in the number of social work doctoral
programs across the Europe, and in the UK specifically (Scourfield, 2006). This resulted from the
urgent need in advanced practitioners who could be trained to become academics to teach social
work students, the need in advanced researchers for the social work research centers and institutes;
and the need to enhance the social work own body of knowledge (Lyons, 2005; Orme, 2007).
In the UK Professional Doctorate in Social Work is the most popular doctoral program which helps
to develop evidence-based social work knowledge. The core of the program is in developing
research and transferable skills both in the academic and practice environment in parallel. Its
structure and content is tuned both with the social work doctoral students' needs and the field needs.
The experience of social work professional doctorates in the UK could be useful in developing the
third cycle of social work education in transition countries where social work needs enhanced
research capacity and building its own, indigenous knowledge base.
Buliga, Valentina
buliga.valentina@gmail.com
MSW, deputy in RM Parliament, Ex-Minister of Labor Social Protection and Family
Modernization of social services in Moldova through introduction of Social Expert profession
Introduction of the Social Expert profession in the Republic of Moldova is a crucial step
towards modernization of social services. This process is based on the three indispensable pillars in
order to be fulfilled: education of Social Experts, professionalization and legitimization of the
profession. The education consists in fundamental understanding of theories in order for specialists
to be able to work on micro, mezzo and macro levels. Professionalization is the part that involves
creating a common professional identity for all specialists in the social field, as an example of this
can be considered a civil society organization, which is a non-governmental entity, which would be
placed between the population and governmental structures, playing the role of a conflict moderator
between those. This way it would serve as a catalyst for the process of integration of social services
in the Republic of Moldova. Trough legitimization of the profession a legal base will be formed in
order to insure efficient activity of Social Experts based on policy limitations, with a predetermined
rights and obligations.

12

Butkeviciene, Ruta; Jurkuviene, Ramun; Danuseviciene, Lina

ruta.butkeviciene@lsmuni.lt
PhD, MSW, Associated Professor of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Faculty of Public
Health
Study Programme Social Work in Medicine at Lithuanian University of Health Sciences:
Developing the Conception of the Study Programme
The purpose of the presentation is to present the strengths and challenges of the study
programme. The study programme was started by social workers and physicians at Rehabilitology
department and is the only BSW study programme in Lithuania having such a name. Study
programme is both general and specific. The aims and learning outcomes of the study programme
focus on three main directions: 1) providing social help in health and social care settings, 2) creating
and developing new services, 3) creating knowledge through social work research. The guiding
conceptual framework of the programme combines the Problem-Solving and the Strengths
Perspective models. The main strength of the programme is the field practice organized in every
semester involving individual and group supervisions. Implementation the concept of
multidisciplinary is the biggest challenge for the study programme. (Integration of medical and
social models is still theoretical rather than practical reality. Paternalistic medical system often
works in ways contrary to those valued by social work profession and the study programme. ). The
programme seeks multidisciplinary in several ways: 1) improving programme content; 2) looking
for the new forms of teaching and learning; 3) conducting research on integrated care topics; 4)
initiating and participating in discussions with politicians and practitioners.
Ciubarov, Natalia
natalia.ciubarov@gmail.com
Free International University of Moldova (ULIM), Master Candidate
Social support for families in-need
The article aproaches the role of social worker in child protection multidisciplinary team in
order to prevent children's accidents at home and MVA for children 0-5 years old. This is one of
the main causes why children at this age die here in Moldova. This paper review the succes social
workers had working together with health workers in a project that was implemented in 6
cities:Balti and Chisinau (district center), Cahul, Orhei, Leova adn Falesti. Social workers have
visited families with children that are 0-5 years old 13103 times to identify risks for children's
health, to inform parents about risks they noticed and how they can prevent some accidents that
could happen. Also they drew up individualized action plans that included recommendations to
reduce the risk of children's trauma and checked the implementation of recommendations. In this
project worked 166 social workers, 33 family doctors, 12 nurses, 12 teachers, 22 directors of
kindergarden and 13 maior. This project demonstrated social worker's important contribution in
multidisciplinary team.

13

Coroban, Cristina
Moldova State University (USM), lecturer

corobank@gmail.com

Social support for families in-need

Social support is presented as an important process in maintaining individual's physical and
mental health, his integration, and self-esteem and also helping him to trust people and to feel safe.
The support resources can be emotional, financial, informational, and advisory. Social support can
come from several sources like family, friends, organizations, colleges, NGOs and government
support. Social support has been studied by disciplines such as psychology, medicine, sociology,
nursing, public health and social assistance. Social support is related to the physical and metal
health benefits and social aid. The theoretical framework is based on james S. Hause social support
theory. Kaplan defines social support in terms of attachment between indivuduals or between
individuals and group, which leads to improved adaptive competence in stressful situations. In
literature, social support is defined as having three dimensions: emotional support, instrumental
support, or action centered and informational support.
Cucereanu, Mihai
ULIM, Associate Professor

mihai.cucereanu@gmail.com

Job profile of "project manager" in the social work field.

To deduct the job profile of a "project manager" in social welfare field authors have
developed two tools: questionnaire and statement of self - shooting daily service time project
manager questionnaire of "omnibus" includes 90 mixed questions that require scaled response from
respondents (project managers in social care). The questions proposed in the questionnaire are
grouped into the following sections: mission and objectives of the job; functions; rights and
obligations; autonomy; feedback; career potential; Job rotation; time management; Job potential for
creativity; risks; occupational safety and health; personality traits mandatory for the post;
knowledge and experience of the future holder of the post; skills required for tenure; changes in job
requirements in the past and the future 5 years;
Daily activities introduced in the auto sheet - Shooting will be scaled according to the
criteria: the outcome of work; execution autonomy; creativity required; repetitive work; the degree
of standardization of methods of execution; the possibility of delegating the business; satisfaction;
level of knowledge required; real-time business execution.
Both instruments were tested in NGOs that provide social services.
Degtyarenko, Tatiana & Lesniova, Irina M.
matanya@ukr.net
Head of the Special Pedagogy and Psychology Department, PhD, Professor & Academician of the
K. D. Ushynsky South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University
Social meaning of self-awareness of ethnic identity
The need to study the problem of ethnic identity is conditioned by the new role of ethnic
component in the process of social evolution that is associated with global change deep
civilizational and ideological crisis and the instability of many areas of modern socio-cultural
community.The interest toward that problem in terms of ethnic diversity is associated with active
development of cooperation in biosocial human systems, opens new ways of communication,
14

changes the general view of the world, and accelerates identification and self-determination of
ethnic identity. Awareness of someone's affiliation to a ethnic group makes that person to feel social
and personal protection, because an ethnic group is the biggest group union of individuals. This
awareness is an important part of human personality that belongs to a particular ethnic group, since
it is a kind of ontological-historical process that creates a socio-cultural and individual development
as an ethnic identity. Nowadays, in our country ethnic renascence and awareness of ethnic identity
is very intensive beacuse of global trends of integration and desintegration. These processes are
synchronized with the period of Ukrainian society's development. Methodological approaches: the
ontological-historical, epistemological, existential-humanistic, ethno-political, socio-cultural,
individual-typological and spiritual and religious. In our oponion, the most productive and
promising are individual-typological, spicirual and religious approaches of developing selfawareness of ethnic identity. Our further research will be implemented namely in this area.
Degtyarenko, Tatiana & Lesniova, Irina M.
matanya@ukr.net
Head of the Special Pedagogy and Psychology Department, PhD, Professor & Academician of the
K. D. Ushynsky South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University
Intellectual and personal potential for achieving social adaptability
The definition of universal laws and conditions of the current adaptation processes in the
human body, as well as the study of the determinants of psychological stress and adaptability are the
major areas of differential psychophysiology, cognitive and social psychology. Person's intelligence
and personality characteristics were always investigated as individual personality traits, but it is
advisable to consider them in the context of an integrated psychological structure. Intellectual and
personal potential of the individual is a complex system-hierarchical form, which was formed as a
result of genetically determined be basic mental ontogenesis of personality, sensory and
communicative experience. Essential signs of adaptive directional human behavior are manifested
in its adaptation to the natural and social environment, which directly concerns the adaptation of
students to educational activity, which is due to the optimum course of the processes of selfregulation and self-identity. Adaptation is the result of human optimum adjustment to society and
namely individual personal potential leads to the effective relationship between person and the
world , comprehension and successful solution for personal and social problems. The prospect of
further development of adaptation issues of students for future careers related to individual
cognitive styles, creativity in the context of intellectual and personal potential, has a social value in
addressing the pressing issues of preventive psychology and pedagogy.
Dita, Maria
Ion Creang Pedagogical State University (UPS Ion Creang), lecturer

patricia07@mail.ru

The importance of theory in social work practice

The importance of welfare-theory into social practice is significant because to solve a problem first
we need to understand and explain it. Theoretical and methodological instruments used in social
assistance come from social and human sciences, especially psychology and sociology, and also
from systematization of professional practice. Each theory offers an explanation for socio-human
representation; suggest a specific type of assessment and diagnosis of human problems, depending
on adopted intervention strategies. In this was theoretical base organizes, directs and streamlines

15

welfare action. A good social worker for implementing practices first he needs to know theory and
during the intervention he must combine them into an effective result.
Duranowski, Wojciech
Janusz Korczak Pedagogical University, M.Phil

w.duranowski@wspkorczak.eu

Work Best Practices - lessons from Poland

In the presentation the author will present best practice in social work advancement in
Poland. Case studies of CAL and other community work social work organization will be presented
to observe how this method of social work supported Poland during socio-economic changes. The
conclusions for the countries which currently are in transition will be drawn.
Frunze, Olesea
Ion Creang Pedagogical State University (UPS "I. Creanga"), lecturer

guzunalesea@yahoo.com

The need of social policies for society management

In Moldova social policies have a vast and large area of relevance because of increasing
problems at macro-system level and because of many negative social phenomena such as poverty
and social exclusion. The existence of social policies is needed within a state,and their level should
be a balanced one.
Grewinski, Miroslaw
Janusz Korczak Pedagogical University in Warsaw, Vice-Rector

intern.office@wspkorczak.eu

Supervision as a mode of advancement of Polish social work practice

In my presentation I would like to focus on supervision of the social work as a new method
of advancement of the social work practice in Poland. Data collected for the presentation are based
on the nationwide research project on supervision in social work conducted by Janusz Korczak
Pedagogical University in Warsaw. Current state of the affairs with regards to supervision and as
well recommendation for further development will be presented.
Gribincea, Tatiana
gritanea@gmail.com
Free International University of Moldova (ULIM), Interim Associate Professor
Career management an important step for human resource management
Because of different changes in the social structure in our society increase the number of
marginal groups that dont have a place to live or a job and cant develop their physical and
intellectual potential.
This highlights the need to develop social assistance as a specialized training of specialists
able to work with diverse groups of people in need.
In this presentation I will use results from researches in career management field that have
the aim to improve career and professional development of national social assistants.

16

Grigoras, Stela & Rijicova, Svetlana

AO Partnerships for Every Child

srijicova@gmail.com

New approaches in training of social workers: Strengthening families to ensure child welfare
The presentation is focused on improving trainings for social workers. At present in R.
Moldova there is a difference between practices of social services development that in many cases
because of external financial support exceeds university preparation. The involvement of
universities in projects that provide technical assistance for development of social assistance system
is required. In this context, the project "A strong family for every child financed by USAID and
implemented by AO Partnership for Every Child, content 2 programs "Strengthening family
protective factors" USA and "child welfare" (Scotland). These 2 programs are adapted and
integrated to the context of Moldova. The project involved academe into the process of promoting
family values and providing children welfare.
Grotelueschen, Justin
LCSW, Project Casa Mare Associate

justing@gmail.com

Understanding culture and conflict as MSW students through a robust field education
program
Social work students learn to become professional social workers through direct practice in
the field. Students integrate their personalities and academic knowledge with practical experience
drawn from field sites that offer a range of ethical dilemmas and value conflicts. A successful
student grows professionally and personally by negotiating these conflicts deliberately and
constructively. These tensions are often compounded by the nature of field placement agency. The
stark environment of a new social work placement and the challenges of working with a real
population outside of the classroom is the ultimate study of conflict and tension for a social work
student. Students learn through simultaneously recording observations about clients and staff; about
the field environment and operations; and about themselves. Students make observations through a
social work framework taught in the classroom to understand the values and behaviors of clients
and staff, thereby better understanding worker-client relationship and client (and worker) motivation.
This presentation also examines classroom assignments and daily logs from students in a studyabroad context to unearth the various conflicts inherent in a challenging field education experience.
The presentation also proposes that a paradigm of culture and conflict can serve as a unique tool
within social work field education
Gusak, Natalia
nataliagusak@gmail.com
PhD, MSW, Head of Master Program in Social Work, Associate Professor, School of Social Work,
National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Ukraine
Development of Master Program in Social Work at the School of Social Work of the National
University of Kiev-Mohyla Academy
Master Program in social work at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla academy has
been created in 1995 by the support of the EU TempusTacis Program within the project
Introducing social work as an academic discipline in higher educational institutions of Ukraine.
The curriculum has been changed since 1995. Now curriculum contains compulsory specialization
17

courses (Contemporary social work, 'Social innovations, Social work research, Social
psychiatry, Community work and local self-government etc.) and optional courses (How to
conduct a training, Introduction to psychonalysis, Fundamentals in social policy analysis,
Comparative social policy etc.). The graduates are able to continue study in aspirantura and at the
structured PhD programs in Ukraine and abroad; be consultants, experts, managers in the state and
nongovernmental social institutions; work in educational and research institutions
Haraz, Svetlana
Free International University of Moldova (ULIM), lecturer

lana_antocica@yahoo.com

Aspects of coordination of services for children with disabilities

Every era has faced political and moral issue related to how it would be better to include and
support people with disabilities.
Moldova, as a State which has ratified UN's Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities promotes social policies and programs that meet international standards in the field of
disability.
According to a 2014 report conducted by the CHR, the negative side is that these services
due to lack of funds, are not fully implemented in all areas of the country.
Achieved results show that in Moldova the colaboration between institutions for disabled children is
facing some difficulties.
It is required to have a good communication and collaboration between the various
specialists and authorities (eg social workers, teachers, specialists from the departments of
education and social assistance, health workers, mayors, religious institutions, community
representatives, etc.) at all levels of intervention (micro, mezzo and macro)
Furthermore, It is required to have a clear policy coordination regarding the provision of social
services, health and education of children with disabilities.
Iovu, Mihai Bogdan
Assistant prof. Babe-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca

iovu.mihai@socasis.ubbcluj.ro

A Study of the Attitudes, Self-efficacy, Effort and Academic Achievement of Social Work
Students towards Research Methods and Statistics
The present research aims to study the relationship between undergraduate social work students
attitude towards research methods and statistics, self-efficacy, effort and academic achievement.
Self-administered questionnaire was chosen as the primary data collection method and a sample of
109 students from Social Work Department in one Romanian top university were invited to
complete the survey. After analyzing the data collected, Pearsons correlation coefficient reflected
that there was a positive correlation between all the four variables attitude towards research
methods and statistics, self-efficacy, effort and academic achievement. Also, a multiple regression
analysis was conducted to estimate the prediction power of attitude and self-efficacy on effort. The
results showed that both attitude and self-efficacy could significantly predict effort.
However, when another multiple regression analysis was conducted to estimate the prediction
power of attitude, self-efficacy and effort on academic achievement, it was found that attitude failed
to predict academic achievement. To conclude, in the present study, attitude could only be regarded
as an indirect factor, but not a necessary factor in bridging the relationship between attitude, selfefficacy and academic achievement
18

Iurchevici, Iulia
iulia.iurchevici@gmail.com
Free International University of Moldova (ULIM), Head of the Social Assistance Department
The importance of supervision for quality in social services
Because of development of social assistance in Moldova, it was realized the need to develop
a form of supervision and control support for social workers. For social assistance in Moldova the
concept of supervision is quite new. Its implementation is based on developing "social supervision
mechanism" approved by Order of the Ministry of Social Protection, Family and Child at
31.12.2008. Supervision is still not a professional intervention in Moldova. Its importance is
recognized in many countries, and the benefits are undeniable. Implementation of supervision
should be supported in our country, at least because of two main reasons: supervision is required for
professionals that work with a lot of difficult cases and the need to correspond to professional
standards.
Jackson, Karissa M.
BA, Fulbright ETA.

kdzhexon@gmail.com

Teaching Social Work concepts through memes

This paper examines several issues related to pedagogy in general and pedagogy of social
work in particular. The discussion will include the challenge of translating abstract concepts from
one language to another; utility of etymology in learning the concepts, and importance of visual
imagery as stimulating concept learning. Particular importance will be given to the concept of
regressing origins of words along the branches of etymological trees to the common linguistic roots.
Twenty examples of memes containing social work concepts, etymological roots and visual imagery
will be presented. The discussion will also include such subjects as memes and texts as methods of
post-modernist discourse and analysis. Lastly, the presentation will propose the development of a
common international social work terminological glossary based on the internationally-accepted
English language professional terminology.
Kabachenko, Nadiya
kabachenko@ukma.kiev.ua
Head of School of Social Work, PhD, Professor National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (Kyiv,
Ukraine), Member of Board of directors of Eastern European Sub-Regional Association of Schools
of Social Work
Introducing the first PhD in SW Program in Ukraine at the National University of KievMohyla Academy
The PhD program Social Work and Social Policy has been created in 2010 by the support
of the EU Tempus Program within the project Advancing the three cycle system in social work
education in six European countries'. The curriculum contains also compulsory specialization
courses (Social work and human rights, Social changes of transition period in post-Soviet
countries, Terminological seminar etc., as well as a range of general academic courses on
research methodology etc.) and optional courses (Social work in foreign countries: legal
regulation, Supervision of social projects, Advanced analysis of local politics etc.). PhD
students conduct research under the supervision of Ukrainian and foreign tutors, prepare doctoral
dissertation and defend it. They also have access to international research resources and are able to
participate in international exchange programs.
19

Kiyanitsa, Zinaida P.
Partnership Every child, Deputy Director

z.kyianytsia@p4ec.org.ua

Family foster care as an innovative component of prevention of child abandonment in

Ukraine.
The modernization of social work in countries with transition economy, based on the
principles of social policy in the European Union, involves: differentiated approaches, predicting
manifestations of destructive and inefficient for a certain social processes and phenomena original
solutions to problems and disputes in the social work field, creating the necessary conditions for the
development and realization of the personal human potential. This indicates the particular
importance of diagnostic and prognostic functions in social work. I consider that first of all it would
be good to implement this in the social work with family field, because the protection of
motherhood, childhood, parenthood, as well as assistance and protection of the family is an
important aim for social welfare at macro level. We conducted an empirical study in order to
explore characteristics of family adaptability in wealthy families and families at risk, and the
characteristics of the relationship between the family and the individual adaptability of family. I
intend to present the results at Conference.
Kuznetsova, Oksana
o.v.kuznetsova@mail.ru
K. D. Ushynsky South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University, Assistant Professor
Program evaluation of families at risk through the adaptability analysis
The modernization of social work in countries with transition economy, based on the
principles of social policy in the European Union, involves: differentiated approaches, predicting
manifestations of destructive and inefficient for a certain social processes and phenomena original
solutions to problems and disputes in the social work field, creating the necessary conditions for the
development and realization of the personal human potential. This indicates the particular
importance of diagnostic and prognostic functions in social work. I consider that first of all it would
be good to implement this in the social work with family field, because the protection of
motherhood, childhood, parenthood, as well as assistance and protection of the family is an
important aim for social welfare at macro level. We conducted an empirical study in order to
explore characteristics of family adaptability in wealthy families and families at risk, and the
characteristics of the relationship between the family and the individual adaptability of family. I
intend to present the results at Conference.
Lazar, Corina
Free International University of Moldova (ULIM), lecturer

corina_lazar@mail.ru

Contemporary methods in social work on working with intrafamilial conflict

From a psychosocial view family represents a typical example of a social primary or
restricted group. Family members maintain and perpetuate a common culture, derived from the
society's culture, and at the same time they have some own characteristics from their origin family.
Family conflicts involve all members regardless of age, role and status.
Based on Bernard Mayer's theory the conflict is a psychosocial phenomenon involving a
cognitive component (thinking, perception of conflict), and affective component (feelings and
emotions) and behavioral component (action).
20

Conflict's perception represents the way we understand and evaluate it.

The person perceives, senses, noticed signs of conflict in 3 perspectives: the self, the other,
in interpersonal relationship. It is not always reasonable or realistic. Incompatibility and interference
may be real, but it happens to exist only in the mind of the person.
The problem of the investigation: to assess the perceptions and reflections conflict from the
perspective of different social subsystems (mother, father, child).
If parents perceive conflict differently, child reflections are confused and family need some
recommendations from high trained specialists.
Moldovan, Vadim
vmoldovan@york.cuny.edu
LCSW, PhD Associate Professor of Social Work School of Health and Behavioral Sciences York
College of The City University of New York; Project Casa Mare, Director; International Center for
Advancement of Social Work in Countries with Transition Economies Fulbright Scholar 2014-2015
Curriculum integration as a key principle of the Master of Social Work Program.
The Master of Social Work Program created at ULIM was designed on a foundation of a
number of principles that adhere to the international social work education standards, global social
work needs, local tradition, and best practices. One of the main principles of curriculum design is
integration of various aspects of the program. Curriculum cohesion is being accomplished vertically
horizontally by interconnecting courses within the given semester and between the semesters. This
process involves at attempt at cohesion via consistent utilization of a set of core concepts in all
courses, capstone research projects that begin at the start of the program, and an effort to provide
faculty with extensive opportunities to interact among themselves. The idea that is driving the
integrated curriculum is the notion that cohesive social work education will lead to holistic practice.
Moldovan, Vadim
vmoldovan@york.cuny.edu
LCSW, PhD Associate Professor of Social Work School of Health and Behavioral Sciences York
College of The City University of New York; Project Casa Mare, Director; International Center for
Advancement of Social Work in Countries with Transition Economies Fulbright Scholar 2014-2015
Social workers as experts on conflict: Theory and practice of dialectics and social work.
Social workers deal with individual, systemic, and social problems afflicting society. They
intervene in acute crisis situations and tackle chronic conditions of social injustice. All areas of
social work activities are infused with conflict. This dialectic character of the profession requires a
solid foundation in theory that originates with Plato and includes Hegel and Marx. This presentation
will explore the theoretical base pertaining to conflict and in application to social work practice. The
social work value base will be deconstructed from the conflict perspective. The implications of the
dialectic social work orientation on social work pedagogies and curriculum will be discussed.

21

Moraru, Ina
Free International University of Moldova (ULIM), senior lecturer

nulea@rambler.ru

Adoption between myth and truth

Adoption is a complex, sociological and legal phenomenon and, at the same time, is a way to
solve problems related to a child who don't have parental care and protection. As adoption is the
best solution for deinstitutionalization, it became a international phenomenon and there is a need to
develop a coherent system of protection for the child in difficulty.
The most important child protection measures:
- Adoption by the family which has good material conditions and moral guarantees for
growing and educating adopted child.
- The child encouragement about his adoption
Muradyan Elena S.
socio@karazin.ua
University of Kharkiv, Dean of the Faculty of Sociology, Associate Professor of Political Sociology
Development trends of methods for social work in the military conflict condition
Over the past few decades in the practice of the Ukrainian society there is a tendency to
expand methods and techniques as well as theoretical approaches in the field of social work theory.
This presentation will explain the understanding of issues of social justice and its relationship with
the concept of social work in modern Ukrainian realities that actualized social work profession;
development of social field in Ukraine; especially the social security system; the development of
social work education at the universities in Ukraine. A particular relevance in current situation of
economic instability and military conflict has the simulation of consequences of social policy for
different groups of the population. Therefore for the majority is used "shock therapy" and
accelerated decline in social guarantees to replace the dominance of passive levers of social
protection, which mitigates the impact of market reforms in the past two decades. This occurs
against the backdrop of changing personal values and disorientation as the effects of psychological
trauma even for those who are not directly involved in a military conflict. I will discuss about the
main areas of training and retraining social workers in a military conflict, and risks associated with
the work devaluation of volunteers and social workers as a result of the phenomenon of "mass
volunteerism"
Poltaretcaia, Alla
poltaretcaia@gmail.com
NGO "Center for Innovation and Social Development", Tiraspol, Executive Director
The social framework for the protection of children's rights in Transnistria
Human rights are of natural origin, an inherent property of every member of the society
since its birth and child protection is one of the priorities of each socially oriented state. Within this
framework, our scope is oriented towards the main provisions of the legislative regulation in the
sphere of protection of child rights on the left bank of the Nistru River, as well as internal and
external problems arising from the implementation of the regulations for the protection of the
minors rights. The subject of the report is the social and legal status of children in Transnistria and
the purpose of this paper is a comprehensive analysis of the legal framework and assessment of its
implementation in the field of children rights living in Transnistria, as well as methods for their
protection.
22

Racu, Aurelia & Cociurca Petru & Chirtoac Nina

apdi@humanitas.md
Associate Professor, Lecturer of UPS Ion Creanga , Executive Director of APDI Humanias
PhD candidate, Head of the IT Laboratory in Inclusive Education at UPS Ion Creanga,
Sysadmin IT Developer of APDI Humanias
MSW Candidate at UPS Ion Creanga, Leader of the Volunteers Team at APDI Humanias
Integration of people with disabilities in societies in transition
Poverty in Moldova is a multidimensional phenomenon, which appears in most countries
under profound political, economic and social changes. Meanwhile, poverty represents a serious
problem because of its characteristics and risks.
In the context of achieving development objectives internationally assumed, Moldova has
pledged to reduce extreme poverty and hunger by 2015.
Poverty is also a precondition for the emergence of social exclusion and inability to develop support
services for the most vulnerable people (children, elderly, disabled etc).
The need for assistance and support may vary depending on environmental factors, life stage,
existing health conditions and individual operating level.
For countries in transition economy the possibilities people have, especially those with
disabilities are not equal. Thus that equal opportunities for integration, in terms of social justice,
must become a moral value, acknowledged assumed by society.
Rogers, Jo
jo_rogers@mail.ru
MSc Social Work , UNICEF, Senior consultant P4EC CEE/CIS Consultancy group.
Social work in Moldova - ways forward
Social work in Moldova can be described as being at a crossroads. It has become a wellestablished profession with thousands of social workers and workers with social work functions
deployed in a range of government and non-government social services operating at community,
district and national level. New child protection legislation has introduced a specialized child
protection social worker function at community level, which represents a move towards a more
specialized workforce deployed to address specific policy concerns and priorities of the government.
This study was undertaken by UNICEF to support the government in examining current
capacity of the social work workforce and to help inform decision-making about the development of
the profession as it changes and adapts to address new challenges in social policy.
This study interviewed social workers and their managers as well as decision-makers at all
levels to gain a detailed understanding of the current functions and practices of social workers who
are working with children and families at the community level and in other types of social services
run by NGOs and local authorities. The study describes and compares the caseloads and
competencies of workers in different settings, the management structures and lines of accountability
that govern their work and analyses gaps in skills and knowledge that may need addressing. In
addition the study consulted with senior decision-makers and practitioners at different levels of
government as well as in NGOs who influence the development of social work in order to gain an
understanding of the vision for social work among key stakeholders in Moldova the degree to
which it should become specialized, regulated and subject to certification. Overall the study
consolidates knowledge from a range of recent research into social work and the system of social
assistance in Moldova generating a significant evidence base for recommendations for the strategic
development of the social work workforce in general and for child welfare in particular.
23

Rotari, Eugeniu & Gutu, Irina

eugeniu2010r@gmail.com
Bachelor in Psychology, MSW candidate, Project Casa Mare Associate.
The use of metadata for integration of social services in Moldova.
Alongside with financial and human resources, information is an important resource for
modernization of social work in countries with transition economies. A comprehensive database
containing information about social agencies in Moldova can serve as a source of data on
distribution of services throughout the country, staff composition, contact information, etc. Such
instrument can be utilized for a variety of purposes, including research, assessment, promotion,
training, networking, and coordination. It can also be used to determine duplication and the lack of
services in certain geographic areas in Moldova. The main purpose of the agency database is an
attempt to integrate and professionalize social services in the country.
Rosu, Calin
playiaj2009@yahoo.com
PhD Candidate at Craiova University, Master in National and Euro Atlantic Security, Bachelor in
Political Sciences
Traditional Eastern Europe cultural values in context of globalization
After the fall of communist regime in the Southeast Europe began an era of dramatically
changes in socio-economic field. But as a state entity cannot exist outside socio-cultural influence,
key elements of orthodox and traditional culture specific to Eastern European countries, faced a
difficult challenge because of new values that were impose into the collective mind. My
presentation is like a critical balance modality approach on some social and cultural realities that
influence profoundly entire region.
Rusnac, Svetlana
srusnac58@mail.ru
Dean of Psychology, Education Sciences and Social Work Faculty at Free International University
of Moldova (ULIM)
Theoretic-conceptual framework of the sociologic approach on human behavior from the
Social Work perspective.
Explaining human behavior in social work is carried out in three conceptual theoretical
models: psychological, sociologic, interdisciplinary. Sociologic model treats human behavior as a
product of the social system and a phenomenon based on the structure of social relations. On the
foundation of this explanation stand more theoretical and conceptual approaches. According to
systems theory, social work programs present a unified concept, based on knowledge of the
environment (social and natural) and all subjective and objective factors that determine the origin of
human behavior in the social environment. The social work takes into account social factors and
conditions, further improving them according to individual needs and subjective possibilities of
adaptation. The Marxist theory views social work in structural terms, giving it the role of social
control, or / and a number of functions - stability, protection, improvement, learning etc. Under the
system structural-functionalist, human behavior is an object of research and a purpose for positive
transformation.

24

Sheremet, Irina I.
University of Kharkiv, Associate Professor

mur_el@mail.ru

Active social tolerance: a methodology of social work education

Military conflict in Ukraine, that affected all sectors of population, independent of their
geographic location, actualized the issue of tolerance toward persons displaced temporarily to the
Crimean peninsula that are participating military activities, or refuse to get involved in it. Military
conflict creates the need to transform the educational process at all levels of training and retraining
social workers and volunteers. Active tolerance as a model of civic behavior becomes an effective
means of social inclusion of representatives of these groups in public relations, not marking their
status as disapproved or rejected. The use of active tolerance in the educational process involves
both the formation of appropriate attitudes and motivations in the minds of students, and updating
its instrumental potential.
Sydorchuk, Marina
National Pedagogical Dragomanov University, Aspirant

maryna.sms@gmail.com

Educational activities for teenagers at the psycho-social rehabilitation centers

The presentation contain a report about specifics of working with teenagers - pupils of the
centers of social and psychological rehabilitation. There is presented the general understanding of
social and psychological rehabilitation of street children that are institutionalized.
Virlan, Maria
maria_virlan@yahoo.com
Ion Creang Pedagogical State University (UPS "I. Creanga"), Head of Social Assistance
Department
The role of social assistant in the process of delivering social services
Social work profession promotes social change, human relationship problem solving, and
skills development to increase people's freedom and welfare. Social work profession has a special
place in the structure of society. Moreover, social development is related to the social work
profession. That's because any economic or social change creates new challenges for people. The
social worker is one who must provide assistance and support development and adaptation through
changes.
Zhogno, Iurii
zhuyrii@gmail.com
K. D. Ushynsky South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University, Ph.D, Associate Professor
Model of educational and vocational training programs in the field of social protection of
vulnerable groups
This report explores disciplines affiliated to social assistance, their moral values and ethical
perspectives of higher education. This is a program for professionals in "Social assistance" field,
corresponding to modern views on humanity and social welfare of vulnerable groups like people
with disabilities and terminally ill. The education of experts in social field must correspond to the
standards for higher education in Ukraine, and practical training is a basic condition for overcoming
current social problems. The socio-economic and military-political crisis became a systemic one,
and because of influence of modern world trends, we need a comprehensive social security through
25

changes of education standards and policies of social assistance. The main problem here is that
professional trainings are not good enough, it requires to be update in accordance with international
standards of humanism, humanity and social welfare. Especially it is addressed to problems of
socialization of people with disabilities or diseases like cancer patients, terminally ill, patients with
HIV/AIDS, diabetes, tuberculosis, etc. I will discuss about the problem created by the mismatch
between the need of vulnerable groups in social assistance and level of trainings for social assistants.
Zubenschi, Mariana
Free International University of Moldova (ULIM), senior lecturer

marianazubenschi@gmail.com

Vocational outcomes as patterns for professional success of social workers

At the moment in Moldova we don't have national center for vocational training and
guidance in social work profession that would be a resource for professional staff training at all
levels, especially for human resource to link high school and university. Professional paradox of
social assistance is constrained by its status as a new profession, by social perception. Another
problem is that in Moldova, as a post-Soviet country, social work profession is financed from state
budget, being underpaid and financially neglected. The aim of our research is to investigate the
vocational elements that would motivate people's activity or would provoke burn-out. Research
project's goal is to study the concept of professional success in social and vocational identifying
determinants.

26

NOTES

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