2025 Global Social Work Midterm
Question 1:
Consider Grodofsky’s paper about creating peace-building centers staffed by social workers allied with lawyers and the Dibbets et al. paper about human rights based practice. Now consider your country and areas where human rights-oriented peace-building efforts with specific local advocacy are especially needed. Briefly describe
a) the conflict or problem you believe needs to be addressed and
b) a center that exists in your country, or a center you would like to create, or a center that exists in another country that you would like to import.
You can ally with professionals from any speciality, such as lawyers, physicians, dentists, physical therapists, media experts, etc. Describe how you would use the global social work principles you have been learning to combine human rights-based practice with advocacy.
A) Gun violence remains one of the most pressing human rights concerns in Chicago, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. Neighborhoods on the South and West Sides, such as Englewood and Austin, experience high rates of firearm-related injuries and fatalities due to systemic inequities, including poverty, lack of economic opportunities, and historical disinvestment. This violence has profound psychological, social, and economic consequences, particularly for youth, families, and communities. Addressing gun violence requires a multi-faceted approach that integrates prevention, intervention, and healing-centered strategies rooted in human rights and social justice.
ReplyDeleteOne organization in Chicago actively addressing violence and systemic injustice is Legal Aid Chicago, which provides free legal services to low-income individuals facing issues such as housing instability, domestic violence, and criminal record expungement. Victims of gun violence can seek justice through expungement services, alternative sentencing programs, and policy advocacy to address systemic inequalities in the criminal justice system. By partnering with experienced lawyers, I would ensure that individuals receive fair legal representation and support in navigating legal challenges. Expungement services would help individuals clear their criminal records, allowing for a better future, while alternative sentencing programs would offer more rehabilitative approaches over punitive measures. I would also advocate for policy changes aimed at reducing disparities within the criminal justice system, working to create a more equitable legal framework for those impacted by violence. Through these efforts, Legal Aid Chicago would contribute to breaking the cycle of violence and incarceration in affected communities.
The organization you mentioned sounds wonderful! I didn't know that Legal Aid was actively offering these services to those experiencing the impacts of gun violence in Chicago. As a student at Loyola Chicago, lots of folks tell me about how "violent" and "dangerous" certain neighborhoods of Southside Chicago are, but fail to acknowledge the various causes of these types of violence across the city. As social workers, it's important that we approach gun violence and other types of violence from multiple angles in order to become aware of the multiple factors that contribute to this violence. In doing so, more individuals will experience freedom from harm to their life and better quality of life overall. As Jurkuviene and Harrison illustrate in their article "What Kind of Freedom? A Narrative Change", freedom can mean many different things, including "legal things like the right to private property or to have privileges" (Jurkuviene & Harrison, pg. 95). This passage reminds me of organizations such as Legal Aid Chicago because they're actively trying to grant the privilege of being safe from violence from a legal standpoint, which is so wonderful! I'm glad you described this social problem resource as it's so important to know and spread awareness about in both this class and beyond. Great work!
DeleteFebruary 24, 2025 at 3:52 PM comment form Elvialuz
DeleteI agree that gun violence must be addressed in Chicago. I think that something that often gets lost in the conversation around this, and crime in general, is how the environmental factors you mentioned contribute to their proliferation. Many people do not understand the impact of these factors and are quick to villainize people for their reactions to them. Our society also takes a largely punitive approach to crime rather than a preventative or rehabilitative one. Police are held up as the standard solution to violence and crime, but even they merely react to these forces rather than prevent them, and police violence is a problem in and of itself. The city also does not seem to pay much attention to violence in marginalized communities except when it reaches the touristy areas and even then it does not offer real solutions. The organization you mentioned sounds like it is doing very important work in offering these real solutions in order to break the cycles that contribute to the perpetuation of violence in these communities. I think it is very important that we advocate for these solutions to be included as part of local policy so they can become more widespread and bring real change to these communities.
DeleteOne social problem that is ever present in American society is the growing homeless population throughout the country. Statistics have shown that homelessness rates throughout the United States have increased significantly, and the majority of the homeless population resides amongst minority groups. Due to the lack of affordable housing for low-income individuals and families, these folks are more likely to experience poverty and/or homelessness. In addition, drug use and being previously incarcerated are significant factors that contribute to homelessness. On another note, other studies have shown that the homeless population tends to be higher in states with warmer climates, including states such as California and Nevada. Since the conditions of homelessness are more favorable in these states, individuals experiencing poverty in these areas are more accustomed to a homeless lifestyle. One example of this is Skid Row, a neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles that’s notorious for its occupancy of impoverished individuals, as well as those who are facing drug abuse/addiction.
ReplyDeleteTo address this rise of homelessness in Western neighborhoods like Skid Row, the Skid Row Housing Trust was founded in 1989. This housing trust was a non-profit organization that aimed to provide housing and other support services to those experiencing homelessness poverty, mental illness, or addiction in Skid Row and Los Angeles as a whole. Organizers of the housing trust bought several single-room occupancy buildings over the course of 30 years to provide permanent housing to individuals in need. Alongside this, they worked with psychologists, counselors, and medical professionals to provide support to these individuals in need. While the Skid Row Housing Trust has unfortunately been disbanded since 2022, organizations such as the Joshua House Health Center continue to serve the Skid Row community on a wider scale, bringing in tens of thousands of individuals into their care. If I were to create a service for those facing homelessness, I would partner with legal services such as law enforcement officers or lawyers to educate underserved communities like Skid Row about drug use and finding other accessible resources that they can use within their communities. By making these folks aware of these legal resources that are available to them, I would hope to decrease recidivism rates of incarcerated individuals and increase rehabilitation efforts within the criminal justice system, hence lowering the probability of these folks facing severe poverty or homelessness in the future.
Katie,
DeleteI really appreciate your thorough description of the homelessness epidemic America is facing today. I wrote about mass incarceration and feel that these two social issues go hand and hand and feed off of eachother, creating a devastating cycle. As you said, being homeless is more likely due to drug use and previous incarceration. It demonstrates there is a lack of support for some of our most vulnerable populations and changes need to be made to break the cycle that destroys communities and perpetuates oppression. I also appreciated your proposal to include law enforcement officers and lawyers to combat this issue. It is important not to underestimate the power of bringing multiple different members of the community together to combat a widespread issue like homelessness and mass incarceration.
I find the topic of homelessness quite interesting. In is such an odd way of social control. Homelessness is used as an intimidating 'tactic' of who we don't want to turn into, as something we need to be afraid of- it is a
Deletestrategy of capitalism and elite society.
In Slovenia homelessness is also quite a big issue, but what I find most problematic is how people treat them. I find it absolutely disgusting when people comment stupid things as 'they should just get a job' or when they shame them for using drugs because:
a) nobody want to be homeless. It's not like they woke up one day and decided they had had too good of a life and needed to spice it up by becoming homeless
b) to get a job you need PERMANENT RESIDENCE. To get permanent residence you need money. It is an ongoing spiral. I do not understand how people cannot comprehend this
c) the issue is obviously bigger than just residence. It is environment that people are exposed to constantly, and survival strategies they have learned throughout life. I volunteered at NGO in Slovenia, and stories people have are hard to listen to. People do not choose to spend their nights on the streets when it's snowing all night and they only have one thin blanket to keep them warm just for fun
d) most frustrating thing for me are the comments people make on drug/alcohol abuse. Addiction is a very complex topic, and yes it may lead to homelessness. However I find it almost funny that people are not capable of basic empathy and comprehension of what their situations (for people that are homeless) actually are like. They have basically nothing to do throughout day and night. They are constantly judged and looked down upon. They are mistreated by the system and society. Of course they have the need to turn towards a substance to get through the night.
I am sorry for this little vent. This is a very important topic that needs to be always talked about. I really liked your post!
What a shame that the organization Skid Row Housing Trust was shutdow! And at such a crucial time where we see a rise in homelessness. I appreciate your idea of banning together with legal aid and law enforcement officers. This allows for a spread of information and legal resources that can support the unhoused population. Many people face systemic injustices that force them out of their homes and into lives of unstable housing. I particularly like the idea of working with law enforcement as they are part of the community and often interact with populations like those living on Skid Row. I believe that training on trauam-informed care and of indigenous knowledge is essential to suppoting the unhoused community.
ReplyDeleteComment from Elvialuz
DeleteQuestion 1:
ReplyDeletea) One of the most pressing issues in Lithuania is the rapidly aging population. According to the official statistics portal, by the beginning of 2025, there will be approximately 603,560 people aged 65 and older in Lithuania, making up about 20% of the total population.
While working as a social worker in an elderly care home, I observed that many elderly individuals are placed in institutions by their children. This decision is influenced by several factors, including the elderly person's health condition and need for specialized care, their children's work commitments, and strained family relationships. Another serious concern is elder abuse and neglect. In some cases, children seek to have their parents declared legally incapacitated, as this allows them to gain control over their parents' assets and make medical decisions on their behalf. Additionally, the quality of home care services is often inadequate due to underqualified staff, which further contributes to the institutionalization of elderly individuals.
This issue is significant because aging affects us all. It is essential to encourage elderly individuals to remain active participants in society and to empower them as much as possible.
b) A possible solution to addressing this issue is to implement stricter regulations regarding legal incapacitation, particularly for the elderly. In Lithuania, incapacity rulings often limit the rights and opportunities of older individuals, making them vulnerable to exploitation. Strengthening legal protections would help safeguard their autonomy and prevent abuse.
Lithuania also has a Human Rights Monitoring Institute, which works to protect marginalized groups. However, the elderly remain one of the most vulnerable populations worldwide, and their rights need stronger advocacy. These human rights organizations should play a more active role in defending elderly rights and ensuring that their voices are heard.
Another critical solution is public education and awareness campaigns. Many elderly individuals are unaware of their rights and rely entirely on their children to make decisions for them. Improving access to legal aid services would empower them to protect their rights more effectively.
Additionally, establishing community-based or volunteer organizations focused on keeping the elderly engaged and active would be beneficial. These organizations could provide social activities, educational programs, and support networks that promote independence and well-being.
I am glad you brought this up as an urgent issue! Most of the time people forget about the elderly as we are too busy living our own lives, not realizing that one day we will be in their shoes. Yet, I do not want to be in their shoes. I want our world to care more for aging people both in Lithuania and everywhere else around the world. I also used to work at an elderly community home years ago and to see how understaffed we were and uncared for many of the patients were, was devastating. Grodofsky and Dibbets both make important points and potential solutions to these kinds of problems. Peace-building centers with a human-rights approach are vital to creating better elderly homes to use when truly needed. I say as needed because I agree when you say we should first try to reintegrate and show the aging population how much they can still do for and in our society.
DeleteThe current treatment of immigrants in the United States is a major human rights issue. Immigrant rights are an issue in dire need of peace-building and advocacy efforts. So many undocumented individuals and even those seeking asylum go through awful detention centers, experience family separation, work exploitation, lack of healthcare access, and usually all with a lack of legal representation. These events damage basic human rights, expand social marginalization, and add to the system's overall inequalities. A center I would like to create here in the United States, and maybe start locally in Chicago first, is an Immigrant Justice, Peace, and Empowerment Center (IJPEC). This center would be a “one-stop shop” for legal assistance, social work support, health care, community action, and education. It would ensure that immigrants, regardless of their status, can access their fundamental rights. Grodofsky mentions the “interdisciplinary peace practice” in which she explains how being able to access rights and entitlements (health, education, etc.) ensures this right itself in addition to “guarantee the right to entry to social, legal, educational, medical structures and more as well.” (Merav Moshe, 2007, p. 50). Having this reach to rights be easier for immigrants will allow a more meaningful relationship with society and its institutions. Advancement in society will benefit us all, as I am a strong believer in the notion that America was both built and is being held together by immigrants.
ReplyDeleteMy specific approach would involve legal, mental health, medical, and educational professionals. Legal advocacy would be the main priority through making available immigration attorneys that would provide pro bono legal services. They would help them fight deportation orders or apply for asylum. Legal protection is what so many undocumented individuals lack in the United States. Aside from personal help, immigration attorneys would advocate for policies that promote true humane immigration reforms. Social workers would provide the mental health support that is immensely needed in these situations. Along with therapists, social workers would help clients dealing with traumas, family separation, and overall stress. Referrals for housing and employment support may also be done on an as-needed basis. In terms of health services, we would work with physicians and nurses who would offer low-cost or even free medical care and vaccinations. Healthcare is a human right. Educators would create campaigns involving personal storytelling and provide cultural competency training to stop misinformation and promote immigrant rights. This center would have large public policy campaigns, pursue lobbying, and consistent community organizing. In addition, something I see many people experience is being taken advantage of, and badly treated, at work for being immigrants. Our labor rights advocates would educate these immigrant workers on their rights, wage theft protections, and how to obtain economic stability.
In Dibbets et al. paper she explains social workers have roles in human rights localization, “as human rights translators, as human rights advocates, and as human rights practitioners” (Dibbets et al., 2018, p. 212). Professionals in my center will always include social workers who translate, advocate, and so localize. Translating local experiences to global human rights is key to seeing the truth of what is happening around you. We have learned about global social work principles that I see in action within this human rights issue and new initiative: empowerment and self-determination, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community-based human rights advocacy. We would be ensuring immigrants have access to both the knowledge and resources needed so they may advocate for themselves. We would be bridging social work, law, healthcare, and policy to have a holistic support system. We move beyond the direct service to address systemic issues like inadequate policies.
One major problem that needs to be addressed in the United States is the lack of trust between police and the public. Recent 2024 statistics have shown that police brutality has increased within the past 2 years, specifically among people of color. This issue must be addressed because police are supposed to be authorities that protect and serve their communities and make people feel safe. However, there has been an increase in public fear of the police brought about by the events of George Floyd and others. Therefore, many people of color may fear the police and act irrationally because they are afraid that their lives are at risk when they encounter a police officer.
ReplyDeleteWhile several organizations in the United States help victims of police brutality, most of them focus on helping victims get legal support against the police and local government. However, I believe applying a framework like the McGill Middle East Program Civil Society and Peace Building used, would be a good first step in solving the issue.
The relationship between the police force and the community must be rebuilt. If I were to create a center, I would envision a center that focuses not only on transparency, restorative conversations, and maintaining individual rights but also on mental health services that address community trauma and experiences with the police. I would include lawyers, community activists, social workers, counselors, and therapists in my interventions. Police departments should also incorporate implicit bias training workshops for officers. Educating officers can help them be aware of the subconscious prejudices they may have towards specific groups, like people of color.
Grodofsky, M. M. (2007). The Contribution of Law and Social Work to Interdisciplinary Community Development and Peace Building in the Middle East. Journal of Community Practice, 15(1-2), 45–65. https://doi.org/10.1300/j125v15n01_03
DeleteMapping Police Violence. (2024). Mapping Police Violence. Mapping Police Violence. https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/
Maddie, I appreciate you discussing the issue of police brutality in the United States. I think it is a very difficult and emotionally charged issue (for good reason). I like the idea of applying a similar framework for peace-building. However, it may be difficult for people of color to subscribe to peace-building with the very people who cause them so much harm. According to the NAACP, the modern-day policing model that is used can be traced back to "slave patrols."
DeleteHowever, completely getting rid of the police does not seem to be the best idea. I liked your idea for a new organization. Combining legal, community, and mental health services is a great idea!
The current treatment of refugees and asylum seekers is one of Lithuania's biggest human rights concerns. The lack of integration and inclusion of such individuals can be attributed to various factors. According to the Human Rights Monitoring Institute (2023) in Lithuania, poor living conditions, limited access to legal counsel, and inadequate mental health services are the most prevalent issues. Insufficient long term integration programs, in combination with detention like environments, have led to increased social isolation and marginalization, which then resulted in the already mentioned lack of integration and inclusion.
ReplyDeleteIf we now reflect on the role of social workers in addressing this issue, Dibbets and Eijkman (2018) provide a guideline, which includes advocating for refugees and asylums seekers (human) rights, as well as inducing some systemic changes that are deeply necessary. One of such changes, may be the readjustment of Refugee Reception Centers (RRCs) and their services. While the existing RRCs in Lithuania provide basic support, they lack the long-term, interdisciplinary model necessary for sustainable integration. Drawing inspiration from Grodofsky’s (2007) concept of peace-building centers, I propose reforming the RRCs.
Currently RRCs in Lithuania provide mainly temporary support, such as accommodations, legal counsel, and integration support. However, RRCs in Lithuania are incredibly limited in providing long term help, which is necessary to ensure successful integration and inclusion of this group. This includes long term social integration, legal advocacy and psychological care, which is so desperately needed to address the trauma, inherent to peoples' experience of fleeing their home.
In this process, applying interdisciplinary collaboration (Grodofsky, 2007) is a must, as revolutionizing RRCs services results in the need of partnerships that allow long term help. Examples could be partnerships with legal aid organizations, mental health professionals, social workers, etc. While doing so, fostering participatory approaches is equally crucial. This gives refugees and asylum seekers the power of actively participating in the changes regarding the services that are supposed to foster their needs. Possible ways of empowering refugees and asylum seekers to participate in this change, may be feedback forums, community workshops and much more.
According to Dibbets and Eijkman (2018), integrating human rights in social work practices requires an emphasis on dignity, participation, and empowerment. The before mentioned necessary steps in changing RRCs in Lithuania all align with these principles, which include strengthened advocacy, enhanced mental health services as well as actively involving refugees and asylum seekers in the process of initiating changes.
Sources:
Human Rights Monitoring Institute. (2023). Analytical study: the situation of migrants and asylum seekers in Lithuania. Human Rights Monitoring Institute. https://hrmi.lt/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Analytical-Study.-The-Situation-of-Migrants-and-Asylum-Seekers-in-Lithuania.pdf
Dibbets, A., & Eijkman, Q. (2018). Translators, advocates or practitioners? social workers and human rights localization. Journal of Human Rights Practice, 10(2), 212–228. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhuman/huy018
Grodofsky, M. M. (2007). The contribution of law and social work to interdisciplinary community development and peace building in the Middle East. Journal of Community Practice, 15(1–2), 45–65. https://doi.org/10.1300/j125v15n01_03
One critical issue that must be addressed in the United States is environmental injustice. This term refers to the unequal burden of environmental hazards placed on marginalized communities, particularly low-income and BIPOC populations (Diaz, 2016). These communities often suffer the worst of pollution, poor air and water quality, and hazardous waste sites, which exacerbates existing inequalities, highlighting the interconnectedness of economic, health, and social disparities (Versey, 2023). Environmental injustice is not just an issue of pollution and health disparities, it is also a peace building concern. The unequal distribution of environmental harm exacerbates social tensions, economic instability, and community displacement. Addressing these injustices through advocacy and systemic reform is essential for fostering long-term peace, stability, and equitable resource distribution.
ReplyDeleteAs Grodofsky (2007) emphasizes, combining legal advocacy with social work can offer a powerful solution by addressing both the structural causes and social support needs of affected communities. In the case of communities facing environmental harm, legal professionals can help challenge harmful industrial practices, while social workers provide community-centered supports needed to advocate for systemic change that prioritizes justice and human dignity, among other global social work principles (Grodofsky, 2007, p. 54). Legal professionals, however, are just one of many specialties that could be allied with and leveraged to address the problem of environmental injustice.
Although there are a multitude of programs and centers globally that work to address environmental injustice, such as the NAACP Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, and the UN Environment Programme, no singular effort alone is enough to make the catastrophic changes that are needed. For this I propose the Environmental Justice Advocacy and Support Centers Coalition, which would integrate an interdisciplinary approach into its work by offering legal aid from legal professionals, mental health support from social workers and psychologists, and health assessments from practitioners such as doctors and nurses, to provide temporary and long-term assistance to vulnerable communities while empowering them to advocate for policy and social reform. Each professional discipline across the coalition would play a crucial role in both advocacy and peace building. Legal professionals would not only challenge harmful industrial practices but also mediate disputes between affected communities and policymakers. Healthcare professionals, including nurses, doctors, and health specialists, would assess and address health impacts, reducing potential or existing medical crises. Social workers and mental health professionals would provide trauma-informed support to help communities cope with environmental stressors while equipping them with tools for advocacy.
To ensure the coalition remains grounded in local advocacy, each center would collaborate with grassroots environmental justice groups, local policymakers, and affected communities to push for reforms, protections, and community-led solutions. By empowering local leaders and residents through education, support, and resources, the coalition would help communities advocate for their rights while fostering resilience and long-term sustainable change at multiple levels.
DeleteIn line with the ideas of Dibbets & Eijkman (2018), the center would adopt a human rights-based practice to localize its efforts, ensuring that the communities directly impacted by environmental harm have a central role in creating change and decision-making on both individual and systemic levels. The three proposed roles for social workers – Human Rights Translators, Advocates, and Practitioners – can not only be effectively carried out by social workers, but also utilized by other professionals to ensure human rights principles are integrated into all work, promoting a more collaborative, holistic approach to addressing systemic inequities (Dibbets & Eijkman, 2018, pp. 222-226).
By combining the strengths and resources of multiple localized centers, a unified global force could be created to tackle environmental injustice. Uniting centers in a coalition would strengthen their impact and promote collaboration among professionals from various fields and levels, addressing not only immediate risks, but also the broader disparities driven or worsened by environmental injustice, ultimately contributing to long-term, meaningful systemic change.
Sources:
Diaz, S. (2016). Getting to the root of environmental injustice. Environmental Law Journal. https://nyuelj.org/2016/01/getting-to-the-root-of-environmental-injustice/#_ftn1
Dibbets, A., & Eijkman, Q. (2018). Translators, advocates or practitioners? Social workers and human rights localization. Journal of Human Rights Practice, 10(2), 212–228. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhuman/huy018
Grodofsky, M. M. (2007). The contribution of law and social work to interdisciplinary community development and peace building in the Middle East. Journal of Community Practice, 15(1–2), 45–65. https://doi.org/10.1300/j125v15n01_03
Versey, H.S. (2023). Housing, environmental justice, and the case of the stop cop city structural intersectional approach to housing equity. Environmental Justice, 16(6). https://doi.org/10.1089/env.2022.0035
A.) A conflict in America right now that needs to be immediately addressed is the homelessness crisis. Just recently, in Chicago - a homeless encampment in Humboldt Park was forcibly removed from their area and relocated unwillingly to a separate facility. These residents' belongings were destroyed, tents ripped and removed. There were some residents of the encampment that went willingly, but those who did not agree to leave willingly were forced to leave nonconsensually. Homelessness is widespread across America, but is more visibly prevalent in big cities like Chicago. The incident in Humboldt park was not an isolated one, there are efforts to remove or displace houseless people every day across Chicago and all of the US.
ReplyDeleteB.) Considering that there are a large number of “abandoned” or empty buildings in large cities, a center that I think would be incredibly valuable to institute in Chicago would be a service that could renovate empty buildings to be livable apartments and offer the opportunity to houseless people to have a warm and dry place to live. Nobody is using those buildings anyway - giant buildings sitting abandoned provides no benefit for anyone. Putting a little effort into renovating and fixing up these buildings to provide spaces for people to reside would keep people off the streets, improve quality of life for houseless people but also citizens of Chicago in general. For example - there are currently two dozen Chicago Public School buildings that remain vacant. Imagine how many people could be taken off the streets if those buildings were redeveloped into housing? How many deaths would be prevented each year? Shelter is a human right, and through human rights-based practice we can advocate for these populations who are unsheltered. Providing shelter for those who cannot provide it for themselves is an opportunity to understand the city around you and all who reside in it.
Grodofsky, M. M. (2007). The contribution of law and social work to interdisciplinary community development and peace building in the Middle East. Journal of Community Practice, 15(1–2), 45–65. https://doi.org/10.1300/j125v15n01_03
A pressing issue in the United States is the mistreatment of migrants and immigrants. Currently, white supremacy is on the rise, which is leading to the mistreatment of people of color, specifically those of Mexican or South American origin. Though issues of immigration have been ever-present in the United States for some time, the current president and his administration have escalated the outrage towards these groups by using them as a scapegoat for things Americans are struggling with, such as rising prices, lack of jobs, and increasing crime rates throughout the country. One place that provides a multitude of services is Catholic Charities in Chicago. According to their website, Catholic Charities can help immigrants with family reunification, family visa petitions, comprehensive case management, employment services, school placement, and more. Additionally, Catholic Charities provides family support, WIC nutrition, domestic violence support, behavioral health programs, homelessness prevention, food and other basic needs, crisis assistance, affordable housing, senior care, senior centers, and more concentrated programs within those categories. Catholic Charities states they help anyone in need regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, or race. However, it can initially be off-putting if someone seeking assistance is not of that faith or feels like they would not be accepted there. Catholic Charities does a great job and helping those in need.
ReplyDeleteGrodofsky (2008) said, “Creating networks of association to advance civil society, ensuring a more equitable distribution of resources, fostering reciprocal relationships, and peace-building require interdisciplinary practice, that at one and the same time, will advance social welfare, promote access to law, and guarantee respect for human rights” (p. 50). If I were to create my own organization, I would begin with some of the basic categories that Catholic Charities has. I would want to expand into medical and legal services as well. I would also have a strong focus on policy advocacy because the best way to help people is to advocate for the system to work for them. As Grodofsky (2008) stated, there are two components that can be employed to stop the cycle of despair and alienation: promoting universal social entitlements and empowering disadvantaged populations. I would want to do both while working to create a more equitable system, not only in Chicago but in the United States.
Mackenna-
DeleteYour response seems very well thought out and highlights a crucial issue the United States is facing. I appreciate your discussion on the rise of white supremacy and its impact on immigrants, as well as the role Catholic Charities play in addressing these challenges. Those charities are a great place to start as they provide a model of comprehensive services and a commitment to serving all in need. I also really like your vision for creating an organization to expand these services, particularly the strong advocacy component. Grodofsky's emphasis on building networks aligns well with your vision. This expansion of services to include advocacy is a powerful approach. I do wonder what specific policy and/or legislative changes would be the best to prioritize. Overall, great ideas!
Within the United States, there is an issue with connecting individuals in crises to trained mental health professionals. Oftentimes, emergency mental health calls are routed to police officers who are not properly trained in de-escalation tactics. The lack of adequate training makes it difficult for police officers to identify signs of a mental health crisis and as a result, officers may misinterpret behaviors or emotions as dangerous. This leads to the excessive use of force, arrests, and in some cases, death. This is especially true for individuals who are unhoused, individuals with severe mental illnesses or mental disabilities, and people of color. This is a problem because individuals (or their families) who are reaching out for help are being met with violence instead of being connected to appropriate mental health resources within their communities. As mentioned by Grodofsky (2007), internal and external (institutional, political, etc.) forces and interactions between these forces can prevent individuals and communities from “accessing their entitlements and rights.” Individuals experiencing hardships due to racism, lack of job opportunities and other stressors may not have the resources or energy to find mental health support before finding themselves in a crisis.
ReplyDeleteA program in Oregon known as Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets (CAHOOTS) is a free mobile crisis intervention that provides a wide range of services including counseling, suicide prevention, conflict mediation, substance abuse, resource connection and transportation to services. Services are provided through a team consisting of a crisis worker and medical technician. Services are free of charge and available 24/7. CAHOOTS relies on a strong community within their staff and communities to be able to connect individuals in need with in and out-of-house resources. CAHOOTS bridges the gap between providing individuals with proper and adequate care while emphasizing the importance of community resources for these individuals to be connected to. In this way, CAHOOTS can act as a human rights translator, advocate and practitioner for struggling individuals (Dibbets, 2018). A great addition to CAHOOTS would be connecting individuals with legal support to better defend individual’s human rights within police brutality reports and as more policies are put into place making it illegal to be unhoused.
One of the biggest issues that affect American society in terms of justice, equality and economy is the prison system. With people of color being disproportionately affected by long prison sentences and inadequate resources after incarceration, the reoffending rate skyrockets-leaving individuals, families and communities distraught and in a cycle of defeat. Creating peace building centers staffed by social workers and other essential contributors (lawyers, leads of communities and policy makers). As Grodofsky explores the relation of law, community and social work as well as how these various elements can work together to combat conflict in society, I feel multiple local centers that focus on bias research, policy changes and support for the incarcerated post sentence for their success integrating back into society would greatly benefit this detrimental issue in American society and support peace building through out the country.
ReplyDeleteThe Vera Institute of Justice is a U.S. organization that incorporates all of the principals that we have discussed that combine human rights- based practice with advocacy. They combine forces through the use of researchers, social workers, and advocates with the goal of ending mass incarceration. This center strives for the end of overcriminalization and mass incarceration of immigrants, people who live in poverty and people of color. I believe organization is a perfect example of community, empowerment, empathy and advocacy coming together to combine human rights-based practice and advocacy to produce meaningful change.
Vera Institute: https://www.vera.org/who-we-are?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4cS-BhDGARIsABg4_J1iJjLGsp2K2yZmXWnFucTChckIWMzFmCxuYKnqmM8TTTpPXoxMh3QaAp8LEALw_wcB
Michelle, your answer to Question 3 is truly insightful and well-articulated. I was able to grasp the highlighted structural injustices within the U.S. prison system and its disproportionate impact on communities of color, as well as the essential role of peace-building centers in addressing these deep-rooted issues. Your reference to Grodofsky’s exploration of the intersection between law, community, and social work aptly reinforces the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach in tackling systemic inequalities.
DeleteThe Vera Institute of Justice as a model for integrating human rights-based practice with advocacy looks very compelling. This organization is a proof that research, legal expertise, and social work can be combined to drive systemic change and empower marginalized communities.
I think one additional insight that could further strengthen their role is restorative justice practices in rehabilitation and reintegration. As discussed in various peace-building frameworks, restorative justice seeks to repair harm through community-based reconciliation efforts rather than punitive measures. Programs such as victim-offender dialogues and community reintegration initiatives could be effective in reducing recidivism and fostering long-term social cohesion.
Moreover, international models, such as Norway’s emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment, provide evidence that prison systems focused on education, mental health support, and social reintegration lead to significantly lower recidivism rates. Adapting similar principles to U.S. peace-building centers could enhance their effectiveness in breaking cycles of incarceration and systemic oppression.
Your answer helped me to form a vision of justice reform and peace-building, emphasizing empowerment, empathy, and advocacy. It is precisely this kind of interdisciplinary and human rights-centered approach that can create lasting change in our communities. Well done!
(a) The conflict or problem to address: discrimination against Roma community in Lithuania
ReplyDeleteRoma communities in Lithuania face systemic discrimination in housing, employment, and education (United Nations Development Programme, 2017). Prejudices against Roma remain deeply embedded in society, limiting their access to resources and opportunities.
(b) Example of existing centre and proposed expansion: Vilnius Roma community centre
Similarly as described by Grodofsky’ (2013) concept of peace-building centers, a Vilnius Roma Community Centre (RCC) is working in Vilnius (established in 2001), modeled after similar centers in Western Europe. The center objectives are (Roma, 2025):
• To change standpoint of the members of Roma community on the process of integration to the society;
• To help Roma people to evaluate the problematic situation of themselves, showing the ways of solving social and financial problems;
• To organise permanent occupation and upbringing of children and teenagers, using RCC possibilities and space, to form and stimulate motivation of Roma children, teenagers, their parents, families to education, self-education, self-upbringing;
• To preserve and foster Roma culture and traditions, keep Roma community as ethnic group from assimilation and marginalisation.
Inspired by Grodofsky (2013), the centre also could provide:
• Legal aid: Lawyers could assist Roma individuals in housing and employment discrimination cases.
• Community mediation services: Social workers could facilitate dialogues between Roma communities and local authorities.
• Cultural education programs: Media professionals lead storytelling projects to challenge stereotypes about Roma culture.
• Youth empowerment programs: Inspired by Yunus’ concept, entrepreneurship training for young Roma individuals could help break cycles of poverty and exclusion.
By using a human rights-based practice framework (Dibbets et al., 2018), this center could not only provide immediate assistance but also advocate for systemic change, ensuring long-term improvements in Roma rights in Lithuania.
References
Delete1. Dibbets, A., Eijkman, Q (2018). Translators, Advocates or Practitioners? Social Workers and Human Rights Localization. Journal of Human Rights Practice 10(2): 212-228.
2. Grodofsky, M. M. (2007). The Contribution of Law and Social Work to Interdisciplinary Community Development and Peace Building in the Middle East. Journal of Community Practice, 15, 45-65.
3. Yunus, M. (2006). A history of microfinance [TED Talk]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UCuWxWiMaQ
4. European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (2024). ECRI report on Lithuania. Retrieved from https://rm.coe.int/sixth-report-on-lithuania/1680b2097a
5. Vilnius Roma Community Centre. About us. (2025). Retrieved from https://roma.lt/rom%C5%B3-visuomen%C4%97s-centras1/index
Through the inner synergy of members of the community, there appears to be a lot of positive outcomes. Thus, it becomes evens more interdependent and increases the general well-being of all those who comprise it. Here are the major benefits, sense of belonging, the unity in the community is the pace where people are treasured, accepted, banded to other, and a huge part of larger picture. stronger relationships are stimulates the healthy communication which build trust and promotes the collab of the community members. Enhanced support: Thanks to united community , member are able to face challenges and celebrate together in a common way.
DeleteImproved Problem-Solving- When people stand with each other, they can much better handle the lock issues, pit the funds into one basket, and discover the joint answers to the problems. Increased Resilience: Bias of community unity towards adversity, which means sustainability, confronted and controlled. Positive Social Impact: Coming together to work on something completely different is very effective, and as a result, the environment is positively impacted. Inclusivity: The one that is together with all of us needs to value diversity and ensure that all its members are involved. Let's put it this way, through unity, there is cultivation of a more peaceful, friendly, and flourishing communal space.
Google document Katie Fritsche Midterm answers: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a8o0fg-X7kAL-PjMU08rdXjne6osY_Lp5_vlBBjH7zY/edit?usp=sharing
ReplyDeletea) I believe that one of the most important human rights issues that needs help is social exclusion and discrimination against vulnerable groups, such as migrants, refugees, the Roma community or women subjected to violence. Despite the availability of legal and social services, individuals still face systemic barriers, ranging from limited access to housing and employment to cultural and institutional discrimination.
ReplyDeleteb) Building on Godofsky's (2007) ideas of interdisciplinary collaboration and Dibbets et (2018) approach to the role of social workers, it might be appropriate to set up a centre staffed by social workers, lawyers, psychologists, to ensure the rights of vulnerable people, provide legal assistance and promote public awareness. The role of the social worker could be that of a "translator" between law and human rights practice. In addition to providing practical assistance on how to find a job or housing, the social worker could also work with lawyers, develop inter-institutional cooperation with professionals from different fields, provide individual support, crisis intervention and counselling services.
Social work principles based on a holistic approach would provide direct assistance to individuals, strengthen the community's capacity for justice and change, reduce tensions and promote solidarity.
a) One urgent problem that needs to be addressed in the United States right now is the increase of labor trafficking. Labor trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. The victims of labor trafficking perform services or works of labor through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Some examples of this trafficking may include debt bondage, forced/coerced labor, and involuntary child labor. More specifically, some recurring types of labor trafficking seen in the United States are those individuals who work in homes as domestic servants, farmworkers violently coerced to harvest crops, and factory workers who work in inhumane conditions. Most often, these different types of labor trafficking victims receive little to no pay. It is common for victims of labor trafficking to be afraid of escaping or seeking help as their employers hold something over their heads. In the case of both documented and undocumented immigrant workers, these may be important documents, visas, passports, etc.
ReplyDeleteb) The International Rescue Committee, otherwise known as he IRC, is a global humanitarian aid and relief non governmental organization. With its U.S. headquarters situated in New York, the IRC set in place Framework. Framework is a program of the IRC’s Research, Analysis and Learning department built to combat labor trafficking in the United States. Framework works with survivors, service providers and other labor trafficking experts to provide user-friendly resources for victims of trafficking. Additionally, the team at Framework provides in-person and remote assistance: case consultations, webinars, online materials, and eLearning modules for those in need. Last summer I had the opportunity to intern remotely for the Framework team! As the Framework intern, I collaborated with my peers and updated the program’s eLearning resources accessible for asylum seekers victims of trafficking.
This is an insightful and well-structured piece that effectively highlights the pressing issue of labour trafficking in the United States. The introduction does a great job of defining labour trafficking as modern-day slavery and explaining how victims are coerced into exploitative work conditions. The use of specific examples, such as domestic servitude, farm labour, and factory work, strengthens the argument and helps illustrate the different forms of labour trafficking that persist in various industries. Additionally, the explanation of how traffickers use threats, withheld documents, and fear to control victims adds an important layer of understanding regarding why it is so difficult for victims to seek help.
DeleteThe discussion of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and its Framework program is an excellent addition, as it introduces a real-world solution to combat labour trafficking. The mention of direct support for victims through consultations, webinars, and eLearning resources effectively demonstrates how organizations are working to provide tangible assistance to those affected. Additionally, the inclusion of personal experience with the Framework internship makes your work even more engaging and impactful. It provides a first-hand perspective on the efforts being made to assist victims, while also demonstrating a commitment to social justice and advocacy. This issued does an excellent job of raising awareness about labour trafficking, presenting solutions, and incorporating personal engagement in a meaningful way.
Question 1
ReplyDeletea) In my opinion, one of the most important social problems related to human rights in Lithuania is the issue of refugee integration and ensuring refugee rights. Refugees who have come from various conflict zones have limited opportunities for employment and often face discrimination.
The rights of women and children are particularly sensitive, as they may experience additional violence due to their vulnerability.
These challenges must be addressed by ensuring legal protection for refugees, including them in society, and ensuring that they can fully participate in society.
b) A possible solution to addressing this issue is in to create an integrated peacebuilding center in Lithuania, that would work with refugees and migrants. Such a center could be staffed by social workers, psychologists, health care specialists, and lawyers.
This center would provide legal aid. Lawyers would help refugees and migrants understand their rights, provide assistance with refugee status, work permits, and other migration-related issues.
Social integration would be ensured too. Social workers would organize educational programs that would help refugees integrate into the labor market, learn about culture, values, and understand social obligations.
Ensuring psychological assistance is especially important. Due to the trauma and stress that refugees face, psychologists could provide emotional support and help overcome psychological barriers.
Health care would be ensured in this way, since refugees often face limited access to medical care, so it is necessary to provide them with first aid as well as basic health care.
The activities of this peacebuilding center would be based on human rights and the principle that all individuals, regardless of their background, have the right to a life of dignity, security and respect.
Very important to integrate refugees into the local community so that they have the opportunity to participate in cultural events, thus reducing discrimination and social exclusion.
It is also important to educate the public about human rights, create informative videos, and programs that help combat stereotypes.
In this peacebuilding center, refugees will receive comprehensive assistance.
a) The issue of individuals with intellectual and/or psychosocial disabilities losing their legal capacity results in a loss of fundamental rights in Lithuania, leaving them legally incapacitated and unable to express their will. This constitutes a form of discrimination based on disability, despite Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) guaranteeing equality before the law. However, in Lithuania practice, this right is not fully recognized or enforced.
ReplyDeleteThe deprivation of legal capacity is often carried out without considering individual circumstances, violating human rights and dignity. Those who lose their legal capacity are stripped of their ability to make independent decisions, enter into contracts, manage their property, and even vote, effectively placing them in a state of "civil death." Even when their health condition improves, regaining legal capacity remains a complex and challenging process due to bureaucratic obstacles and persistent stigma (Veiksnumo apribojimas – baisiau už kalėjimą: kaip ištrūkti iš civilinės mirties gniaužtų? (,,LRT”, 2024)).
b) I propose emphasizing Lithuania's newly introduced supported decision-making service, designed specifically to help individuals with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities regain and maintain their legal capacity through tailored, professional support. Crucially, this service reflects Grodofsky’s (2007) interdisciplinary approach by involving close collaboration between social workers and legal professionals. Lawyers and social workers actively participate in legal proceedings aimed at restoring or maintaining legal capacity, exemplifying interdisciplinary human rights practice.
This interdisciplinary effort is further supported by public awareness campaigns such as the recent "Kaip gera galėti galėti" ("How Good It Is to Be Able to Be Able"), aimed at shifting societal perceptions and promoting supported decision-making services.
According to Dibbets and Eijkman’s (2018) human rights-based practice framework, this Lithuanian initiative integrates three essential levels:
• Interpret Human Rights: Social workers, alongside legal professionals, interpret and clarify international human rights standards, particularly those outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This joint interpretation strengthens advocacy efforts for the autonomy of persons with disabilities.
• Advocate Human Rights: Through interdisciplinary public education campaigns like "Kaip gera galėti galėti," social workers and legal professionals collaboratively aim to reshape public attitudes, reduce stigma, and encourage policymakers to prioritize reforms supporting legal capacity and decision-making autonomy.
• Apply in Daily Practice: In everyday interactions, personalized and collaborative support is provided by social workers and lawyers, ensuring that daily practices consistently honor and protect the individual's rights, preferences, and autonomy.
By integrating these frameworks, Lithuania’s supported decision-making initiative exemplifies global social work principles—human dignity, social justice, and empowerment—while fostering meaningful social inclusion and systemic change.
Sources:
Dibbets, A., & Eijkman, Q. (2018). Translators, advocates or practitioners? social workers and human rights localization. Journal of Human Rights Practice, 10(2), 212–228. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhuman/huy018
Grodofsky, M. M. (2007). The contribution of law and social work to interdisciplinary community development and peace building in the Middle East. Journal of Community Practice, 15(1–2), 45–65. https://doi.org/10.1300/j125v15n01_03
Lietuvos nacionalinis radijas ir televizija (2024) Prieiga internete: https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/2435725/veiksnumo-apribojimas-baisiau-uz-kalejima-kaip-istrukti-is-civilines-mirties-gniauztu?srsltid=AfmBOoqsLRjIXns19elXEe31Lgexq5TMOL95_K7KUCKeOsoJxaXQppS_
a) Stigmatisation of people with disabilities in society, exclusion of people with disabilities from decision-making in areas that affect them.
ReplyDeletePersons with disabilities are not involved in decision-making not because they are unable to, but because they are not asked, for a variety of reasons.
b) A permanent expert council would be desirable, with a majority of experts being persons with disabilities. Specialists in relevant fields can be brought in as needed. The council itself would provide a positive impetus for people with disabilities to advocate for themselves and each other. Sometimes persons with disabilities are more able to respond to the needs of other persons with disabilities than social workers. The Council would reduce the distance between persons with disabilities and policy and decision makers. Dibbets, A., & Eijkman, Q. (2018) discuss the roles of social workers in human rights localisation: as human rights translators, human rights advocates, and human rights practitioners. It is important for persons with disabilities to be able to become translators of their own position, advocates who draw on their own practice as a person with disabilities.
In Slovenia, a necessary topic that needs to be addressed is (mis)treatment of users in social welfare institutions or with alternative term- totalitarian institutions.
ReplyDeleteInstitutions have always been present in our civilization as a way of separating different, ‘crazy’, people from ‘normal’ society or as a system of control, where people who did not live by the standards and expectations of society were separated from civilization. In Slovenia, and around the world, individuals live with a great stigma, a label they can never get rid of. They are at the bottom chain in society, forgotten and trapped in the institutional system. Individuals who are (simply put) in the way of people are transferred to the institution – especially older people and individuals with handicap and/or mental health problems. The purpose of the institution should be rehabilitation. However, the practice is exactly the opposite. Individuals lose the sense of what life is all about. They are completely dehumanized in institutions.
An especially important social work practice is to hear personal experiences from residents that have bravely spoken out on mistreatment. That is why I am sharing personal stories, that will showcase how they are treated:
‘My sister was treated in Polje (psychiatry in Slovenia) a while ago. She was in the closed ward for a while. Of course she wasn't happy because they put her in a straitjacket. Would you be?!'’
‘Full of abuse, from various threats of physical, psychological, sexual… violence. Insemination with male urine (under the guise of a drug test), blood plasma trafficking…'
'They gave me two injections, by force. The technician struck the injections into my body. They didn't tell me what they were giving me. Then they lowered the blinds so that other patients wouldn't see into the room. They beat me in the balls, all over my body. They pressed a pillow directly on my face. I had the feeling that they were trying to kill me. I was suffocating. I thought I was going to die. […] My whole body ached for another week or two.'
'The patient was taken, tied to the bed, in a room that was like a kind of observation room […] What followed could have been a scenario from a worse horror story, but it was certainly unacceptable and completely unacceptable for a hospital. Shortly after the employees left the department, screams were heard from the room where the new, tied patient was taken (if I wanted to go to the toilet, I had to leave my room and pass by the so-called observation room). Three technicians stood by the bed to which this patient was tied. One of them was pressing a pillow into the patient's face, another was punching him in the stomach and arms through the blanket, and the third was punching him in the crotch. I stood in terror in the hallway in front of the closed door of the room where the abuse, torture and torture took place.'
Residents in social welfare institutions face psychological, physical, sexual and economical violence on a daily basis. They are not seen as people.
The process of getting rid of totalitarian institutions is called deinstitutionalization. Professors at my university, Faculty of social work, are one of the main initiators who started advocation in Slovenia. Through time, NGO’s have been invented where the main purpose is to rehabilitate and resocialize former residents of social welfare institutions. One great example is ‘Zavod Franko’, it is an institute for development, planning and implementation of community work.
Such NGOs are a good example of (global) social work principles and human rights based practice. They take good practices from global context and try to implement them in Slovenia. Moreover, they put big emphasis on volunteering and connecting residents with community. Lastly, a big part of organizations is advocacy. They provide residents with proper information on their rights and they give them access to (free) human rights defenders.
References:
DeleteFlaker, V., Rafaelič, A. (2023). Deinstitutionalization 2. University in Ljubljana, Faculty of social work.
Forum.Over.Net. (2016). Ima kdo tukaj izkušnje s Psihiatrično kliniko Ljubljana Polje? Retreaved from https://forum.over.net/forum/tema/ima-kdo-tukaj-izkusnje-s-psihiatricno-kliniko-ljubljana-polje-5379814/.
Forum.Over.Net. (2023). Klinika Polje. Retreaved from https://forum.over.net/forum/tema/klinika-polje-23305170/.
Smajila, B. M. (2023). Kaj se dogaja na Psihiatrični kliniki Ljubljana: razkrivamo pričevanja o nasilju. N1 Info. Retreaved from https://n1info.si/poglobljeno/kaj-se-dogaja-na-psihiatricni-kliniki-ljubljana-razkrivamo-pricevanja-o-nasilju/
I recently read an article Encyclopedia of Social Work article by Steven P. Segal, that reminded me of this deinstitutionalization. Institutions are seen as what intended to be a humane way of community care, but they fail in the human aspect- transinstitutionalization, which is the facilities that has dehumanizing characteristics. Older adults are isolated from society, and mistreated, and these institutions should be rehabilitation, but they are the opposite, being socially excluding, being a more mechanical way of social control rather than support. Segal views the aspects within these institutions as the opposite of what they were made to be, which was improving conditions for those that need such care, developing community alternatives, and preventing unnecessary institutionalization. The article goes through and highlights how political and financial motivations are often the reasons for these duhumanizing ways to happen. Such as in the U.S when Medicaid incentives led people to go from public mental hospitals to under regulated nursing homes, which clearly did mot have quality or rights based care. How in Slovenia, deinstitutionalization risks being incomplete if politics or finances take over the importance of actual human rights.
DeleteSegal, S. P. (2021). Deinstitutionalization. In C. Franklin (Ed.), The Encyclopedia of Social Work. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.101
ReplyDeletea) In Lithuania, people with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities still face discrimination, stigma and limited access to services. Although institutional care is gradually being replaced by community-based services, many people still lack independent living, social support, job opportunities and legal mechanisms to defend their rights. Involuntary treatment is also still used.
b) I have looked into the mechanisms and services for people with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities in Sweden and have found several NGOs and initiatives that help to ensure that people with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities in Sweden have equal opportunities, are respected and can lead a fulfilling life:
Riksförbundet för Social och Mental Hälsa (RSMH): this organisation works on mental health issues, provides support to people with psychosocial disabilities and promotes their rights.
FUB (För barn, unga och vuxna med utvecklingsstörning): an organisation for children, young people and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing support and advocacy for their rights.
• Sweden has a well-developed human rights protection system, with explicit implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. There are effective remedies that make a real difference for people with disabilities against discrimination. Lithuania has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, but problems remain in practice - for example, institutional care is still prevalent, and the promotion of independent living is only beginning to develop.
• Sweden has a system of personal assistance that allows people with disabilities to live independently and receive help with everyday activities. Local municipalities offer an extensive network of community services. In Lithuania, personal assistance is only gradually being introduced and many people with disabilities still live in institutions or are dependent on help from relatives.
• Sweden has active anti-stigma campaigns, the rights of people with disabilities are taken for granted and their participation in the community is natural. In Lithuania, although the situation is improving, there is still a strong stigma attached to the issue, with people with psychosocial disabilities often seen as dangerous or incompetent, and their participation in public life limited.
Political, social and cultural changes are therefore needed to ensure the rights, inclusion and independent living of people with disabilities. The best strategy would be to adapt Swedish models, including: the development of personal assistant services, increased funding for community-based services, improving inclusive education, actively combating stigma through campaigns and, most importantly, the strengthening of legal aid and proactive policies against discrimination. With regard to forced treatment, which I identified at the beginning as a problem, it is important here that universities and higher education institutions in Lithuania adequately train lawyers to work with people with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities. Lawyers, for example, have almost no knowledge of the restoration of legal capacity, which is essential in the fight for the rights of persons with disabilities and for a dignified and independent life. Therefore, my point is that it is important to build cooperation between lawyers and social workers.
Dibbets, A., & Eijkman, Q. (2018) highlight that human rights are not just a legal category, but an essential tool for social work, advocacy and everyday support for people with disabilities. Social workers can play an important role in amplifying the voice of people with disabilities, while lawyers can play an important role in ensuring that their rights are implemented in practice.
Web pages:
https://www.fub.se/om-fub/funktionsratt-sverige/
https://www.rsmh.se/om-oss/about-rsmh/
In recent times, there has been increased acknowledgment of the necessity to incorporate human rights-based strategies into peace-building initiatives. Grodofsky (2017) advocated for the creation of peace-building centers that would employ social workers alongside lawyers to foster enduring peace and tackle the underlying issues that lead to conflict. Likewise, Dibbets et al. (2019) highlighted the importance of utilizing a human rights-based approach to advance social justice and equality.
ReplyDeleteIn Ghana, various areas require human rights-focused peace-building initiatives with targeted local advocacy. One significant area is the persistent land disputes among communities, which frequently lead to violence and displacement. These conflicts often stem from historical grievances, insufficient access to legal resources, and a lack of understanding of human rights principles.
To mitigate this issue, a peace-building center could be created in Ghana that emphasizes offering legal support, mediation services, and education on human rights to communities impacted by land conflicts. This center could include social workers skilled in conflict resolution and human rights advocacy, as well as lawyers specializing in land rights and conflict resolution.
A notable existing center in Ghana that reflects this approach is the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), which offers legal aid and advocacy to underrepresented communities. The LRC has played a crucial role in fostering human rights and ensuring access to justice in Ghana, especially in matters related to land rights and environmental justice.
By incorporating human rights-based practices into peace-building strategies in Ghana, we can make strides toward addressing the fundamental causes of conflict, fostering social justice, and establishing sustainable peace in the region.
ReplyDeleteConsidering Grodofsky’’s work about human right based practice in his book.
The article share the case of Jordan, Israel and Palestine stated several areas where the deployment of programs was used to advocate for Woman right under Islamic law, access to running water and promoting food through community-based food cooperatives.
A. The problem that I personally feel should be address in my country is the negligence of the African leader to recognize and establish the dignity of humanity and upheld the human right of the people under them. A case study is Nigeria. Narrowing this down to the issue of disability issues; Nigeria is a nation with diverse sociocultural terrain, 250 ethnic groups, several religious traditions, that deeply held critical beliefs regarding people with disabilities (PWDs), country. Individuals with disabilities encounter several types of systematic marginalization known as & peripherization,
Many students in Nigeria drop out of school for a variety of reasons,
including inadequate learning assistance, a lack of inclusive education
policy, and parental financial inability. And this has led to ongoing
struggles that continue to challenge mental health, resulting in severe
resource restrictions, societal stigma, and systemic hurdles.
The Nigeria health care system does not have a comprehensive system
that caters for the people with disability for example, the poor and the
rural area in particular are underserved and more also there are no
well-trained practitioner who are well set to address the individual
disability mental case with dignity. More also the few existing services
are dominant in the urban area of the country, making it uneasy for
people who are in the urban area to go especially people that are not
having financial capability.
The issue leave one to wonder that, the government are been praised for the benefits that ought to be the rights of the people but they get insulted when they do not establish all the component of the rights, it get worsen in the case of the people living with any form of disabilities due to the fact that they are more or less at the lower class of the society in the sense that, they face silent rejection and their plight of right denial are not well amplified.
Nevertheless, different NGO have come up to exist in the recent time for the issues of denial of rights but we have no body that has really stood to keep reinforcing the rights of people with disabilities in Nigeria State. And in the situation of the NGO that are been established, many of their activities does not consistently fight for the right but what this NIGO does is to seek finance that look after the administrative process of their institution.
B
Looking at the listed principles or ideas in the read article I will like to establish an Human right institution that play an holistic role. And I will ensure that my center has the below component:
Human Rights Focus- I will ensure that human right is the basis for any capacity building and peace promotion.
Community Empowerment- I will empower different communities of disability cluster group and the community as a whole on their rights, providing legal counsel and advocating policy changes that benefit disadvantage people.
Interdisciplinary Approach- I will strategically combine relevant discipline to work together making human rights the central strategy; social work, law, psychology, media expert are the machinery I will use to pilot my mission.
Educational program- educational program will be establish to look into a strategy to get the students and teachers what rights entails in the society.
Implications for Social Work Training- aside the peace building, interdisciplinary collaboration, and anti-oppressive community-based interventions, there will be ongoing training for all my facilitators to make this institution run its course effectively.
REFERENCE;
ReplyDeleteEwalt, P & Mokuau, N. (1995). Self determination from a pacific perspective social work. 40(2), 168-175.
Garrett, J. (2001, September 26). Amartya Sen's Ethics of Substantial Freedom.
Sen, A. (1999). Development as freedom. Random House.
a. In Zimbabwe, a pressing human rights and peace-building challenge is the political and economic marginalisation of vulnerable communities, particularly those affected by land disputes, forced evictions, and political repression. According to Mutanda (2023) there are many documented human rights abuses, political repression, repression of the media, manipulation of the judiciary by the government, a debilitating brain drain, and an economic meltdown which resulted in widespread unemployment and deepening poverty. People living in both rural areas and urban areas have suffered because of the politically and economically unstable landscape. Families have been separated as citizens try to seek for better opportunities in other countries include South Africa, United Kingdom, Australia and America to name a few. Many citizens, including women, youth, and informal workers, struggle with limited access to justice, human rights violations, and economic exclusion. For more than a decade the people of Zimbabwe have suffered from a number of challenges, these include unemployment, inflation, poverty rates, and interest rates all running above50%; with its external debt crisis and severe shortages of food, fuel, water, and electricity (Maclean, 2010). These issues are worsened by state-led movements, a lack of legal support for marginalized groups, and restrictions on freedom of expression.
ReplyDeleteb. In Zimbabwe a number of peace building initiatives have been established. One that stands out for me is Chivasa (2022), he explores various peacebuilding constructs in Seke District, Zimbabwe. It aimed to acknowledge the unrecognized contributions to peace that Zimbabwe's self-initiated informal peacebuilding institutions have made. key elements that facilitate participatory peacebuilding include an equal share of responsibilities and cooperation between men, women, and the youth in the design and establishment of peace committees, and allowing women to hold key positions within these informal peace structures, Chivasa (2021). Chivas’ research (2021, 2022) concludes that participatory peacebuilding empowers ordinary people who have little influence over their lives to tackle differences, injustices and peace issues between men, women, and youth which may increase the chances of women and youth participating in peace issues.
Reference List
Mutanda, D. (2023). Towards transformative reforms: The significance of political and economic reconciliation in Zimbabwe. African Security Review, 32(4), 402–420. https://doi.org/10.1080/10246029.2023.2227151
Maclean, S. J. (2002). Mugabe at war: The political economy of conflict in Zimbabwe. Third World Quarterly, 23(3), 513–528. https://doi.org/10.1080/01436590220138402
Chivasa, N. (2021). Local role-players, informal peacebuilding institutions, and participatory peacebuilding in Zimbabwe. African Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 10(1), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.31920/2634-3665/2021/v10n1a3
Chivasa, N. (2022). Reflections on peacebuilding constructs in Seke District, Zimbabwe. SAGE Open, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221077246
Discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community still exists in Lithuania. The majority of those who oppose this community come from smaller towns or villages. Although Article 14 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (1995) emphasizes that any discrimination based on sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, membership of a national minority, property, birth or other grounds is prohibited. As an example of discrimination in Lithuania In 2023 January, the European Court of Human Rights found that the Lithuanian authorities had acted unlawfully by censoring a fairy-tale book depicting, among others, same-sex relationships. A legislative proposal to repeal the prohibition of the promotion of non-traditional family models was voted down by parliament in November, and another, to provide some limited rights to LGBTI couples through the introduction of gender-neutral civil unions, had not been adopted by parliament by the end of the year.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most active LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations in Lithuania is LGL (Lithuanian Gay League). Founded in 1993, LGL works to promote equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals in Lithuania through legal advocacy, education, and public awareness campaigns. Their activities include: Legal advocacy: Lobbying for laws protecting LGBTQ+ rights and challenging discriminatory policies. Community support: Organizing events, workshops, and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals. Awareness campaigns: Running educational programs to combat homophobia and raise public awareness. Functions of the center are Legal Support and Advocacy. Provide free legal assistance for LGBTQ+ individuals facing discrimination, hate crimes, or employment bias. Work with human rights lawyers to push for policy changes, such as legalizing same-sex civil unions and banning conversion therapy. Mental Health and Social Support. Offer counseling services and support groups for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly youth facing family rejection or bullying. Train therapists and social workers on LGBTQ+-inclusive mental health care. Education and Public Awareness. Organize anti-discrimination workshops in schools and workplaces. Work with media experts to produce LGBTQ+-positive campaigns aimed at changing public perceptions. Safe Space and Community Building. Establish a physical LGBTQ+ center in Vilnius or Kaunas where people can find a safe, inclusive environment. Host cultural events, Pride celebrations, and social gatherings to strengthen community solidarity.
a) Domestic violence and gender-based violence in Lithuania is one of the pressing human rights issues to be addressed. But this is the problem that needs to be solved: there are no thorough support services to those who experience domestic violence especially in rural areas where legal aid and psychological assistance is hard to come by. Victims of abusive environments face economic dependence, social stigma and insufficient legal protection thus making it very difficult to escape abusive environments. I think this is a real troubling issue about broader social inequality. The victim often finds himself grounded in a situation of abuse for the sole reason of wanting to maintain economic dependence and subject to stigma is testimony to why change needs to occur in the systemic reform of the legal and financial assistance.
ReplyDeleteb) A Human Rights and Justice Center for Survivors of Domestic Violence would be a center that would address this problem and would be similar to the successful models that Sweden and Canada have. Legal aid, psychological counseling, crisis intervention and economic empowerment programs through social workers, lawyers, psychologists and medical professionals would have been brought together to serve as one center. The center would also engage in policy advocacy regarding strengthening of Lithuania’s domestic violence laws and introducing preventive education in the schools and communities.
To implement global social work principles, this center would:
• With a human rights-based approach grounds, addressing survivors dignity, empowerment, and participation in decision making of where they would best like to be in and apart of (Dibbets and Eijkman, 2018). I think that empowering survivors in the process of their own recovery is important. Current support systems view survivors as passive recipients rather than individuals who can be involved in advancing the change.
• Examples are collaborating with legal professionals to offering free legal services and advocacy to victims in crime as they are in the justice system (Grodofsky, 2007). Due to financial constraints or fearing reprisal, many of the survivors choose not to press charges. Such a system of legal support would go a long way to tackle this concern.
• Provide psychosocial support and trauma-informed care that will help the survivors rebuild their lives. Survivors who escape abusive situations without the assistance of mental health support may suffer further. It should be equally important to give emotional healing as it does physical and legal aid.
• Seek to develop public awareness campaigns, educational programs designed to change the dominant societal attitudes about gender-based violence and prevention. And prevention is important as intervention. The only long-term change and reduction in domestic violence is through social change.
a) One of the most pressing issues in Lithuania that requires human rights-oriented peace-building efforts is domestic violence and access to support for victims.
ReplyDeleteVictims of violence still find it difficult to receive effective support. The majority (60%) of Lithuanian residents who have experienced domestic violence have not sought help anywhere. Victims are afraid to seek assistance due to feelings of shame and concerns about how they will be perceived by family and acquaintances. Sometimes, this fear arises from a lack of belief that anyone can help or from distrust in institutions.
Victims have reported a lack of information about available support options, expressed distrust in psychologists and child protection specialists, and, at times, perceived a skeptical attitude from law enforcement officers.
b) Human Rights Center (Lithuanian Human Rights Center - LHRC)
This center promotes the protection of human rights in Lithuania, conducts educational activities and advocacy, and responds to cases of discrimination. https://ztcentras.lt/
Crisis Centers
Centers such as Vilnius Women's House and Kaunas Women's Line provide protection and temporary shelter for victims of domestic violence. They also run prevention campaigns and educate the public about issues related to violence.
Question 1
ReplyDeleteBased on the idea of peacebuilding centers presented in Grodofsky's article, I chose to discuss the situation of Ukrainian war refugees in Lithuania. This topic is highly relevant, as the Ukrainian community faces challenges related to social integration, psychological well-being, and the protection of human rights.
a) Problem:
Ukrainian war refugees living in Lithuania face language barriers, psychological stress, difficulties with integration, and social exclusion. Children, in particular, lack safe spaces for learning and receiving emotional support.
b) Center and activities:
I would propose establishing a "Ukrainian Integration and Peace Center," where social workers would collaborate with lawyers, psychologists, teachers, and other specialists. The center would provide legal and psychological assistance, organize language courses, and offer a day center for children to support their education and emotional well-being. It would also host community inclusion events. Additionally, I would suggest appointing a dedicated social work organizer in each local municipality local administrative unit to work specifically with the Ukrainian community. These specialists would be accessible even in the smallest towns and villages, where people may not have access to or information about the central services. They would provide information, consultations, referrals, empower individuals, and advocate for their rights within local institutions.
The issue I would like to address is the consequences of the human trafficking of migrants from the southern border of the United States. From 2022 to 2024, the Republican governors of Florida and Texas instituted a policy of sending newly-arrived migrants to sanctuary cities, which have policies in place to prohibit the coordination of local law enforcement with immigration officials. This was done without coordination with local leaders and as part of a political strategy to disrupt local politics and test the resiliency of sanctuary policies. Migrants were often given no choice in their relocation, or were duped into believing that help awaited them at their destinations. Still, others had family members awaiting them in different states that were now harder to reach. Many were left on the street with little to no resources, inadequate clothing during the colder months, and no sene of where to go or what to do next. For these reasons, many described the situation as a case of human-trafficking. The actions taken are also a clear violation of human rights according to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which protects migrant’s freedom of movement and the right to seek asylum in other countries.
ReplyDeleteIn the city of Chicago itself, 51, 648 migrants arrived between August 31, 2022 and December 18, 2024. The results were often chaotic, with officials scrambling to find the means to accommodate the new arrivals and creating tensions over the allotment of resources towards that end. Although the Trump administration has now closed the border, the effects of this policy can still be felt, as it has left an already vulnerable population in urgent need of support and created tensions within local communities. Many residents of historically neglected communities on Chicago’s south and west sides questioned why resources were being made available to those who had only just arrived but not to them. I believe this communities are correct in asking for more but they have been deliberately misled into thinking that for their needs to be addressed, other groups must be deprived. This is a useful trick by those in power to keep marginalized groups distracted and fighting over what little resources are made available to them, instead of looking up at who control those resources in the first place.
I propose addressing both of these issues by creating an interdisciplinary practice center similar to those described by Grodofsky (2007). Although the groups in Chicago are not in conflict in the same way the societies described by Grodofsky are, they face similar issues such as poverty, inequality, and the denial of rights and liberties, which have exacerbated tensions between them. Therefore, adapting Grodofsky’s peace-building strategies to the local context could address these issues and promote social justice for both historically neglected communities in Chicago and exploited migrants. Workers in these centers will focus on addressing the needs of both groups through a human rights framework, and educating and empowering members to become involved in advocacy efforts to benefit their communities. This is in line with Grodofsky’s (2007) approach in which he stresses the importance of coupling the promotion of basics needs with “the empowerment of disadvantaged populations…in order that they may actively advocate for their rights” and Dibbet’s & Eijkman’s (2018) call “to act with instead of for disadvantaged people”. A focus on human rights is also consistent with what Dibbets & Eijkman (2018) suggest about social workers engaging in human rights localization by incorporating global human rights frameworks into their local practice. Through this framework, clients can be encouraged to see how the problems they are facing in daily life are connected to systems in the environment that cause them to face oppression based on their identity.
DeleteOther actions taken by Grodofsky’s (2007) practice centers that could be replicated here are 1) opening locations inside the communities where action is being taken, 2) engaging in outreach to determine needs and recruit participants from communities, 3) involving community members in decision-making, 4) creating links between institutions and communities, 5) using the law as a tool but not a crutch and 6) recruiting officials from a variety of professional fields depending on the context of the specific need being addressed. Where our center will go one step further is that it will attempt to create frameworks of solidarity and mutual support between different groups, as opposed to between different members of the same group, that could lead to the emergence of broad, multicultural coalitions. Since social workers deal in human relationships, they can promote the formation of these coalitions with the caveat that, within them, they will serve a purely advisory and intermediary function. Leaders will be members of the groups who are intimately familiar with the conditions they are organizing against and are able to sustain momentum, build bridges, and handle intra-group conflict. Working together, these groups will realize that the allocation of rights and resources within a society is not a zero-sum game and that scarcity is often a myth perpetuated by those holding access to those rights and resources. They can connect their experiences to their identities, and begin to challenge systems of oppression that have deprived them for the enrichment of others.
Caste-based discrimination remains a persistent issue in India, with Dalits and other marginalized groups facing systemic violence, exclusion, and socio-economic disparity. Despite legal reforms, Dalit communities continue to experience discrimination in education, employment, and access to basic human rights, exacerbating their poverty and social isolation. This ongoing injustice calls for an integrated approach that not only addresses immediate needs but also advocates for long-term systemic changes to ensure equity and justice for all.
ReplyDeleteTo combat this issue, I propose establishing a Caste Justice and Empowerment Center (CJEC), a multi-disciplinary initiative combining legal aid, mental health services, and community education. This center would collaborate with social workers, legal professionals, mental health experts, and community leaders to provide a safe space for marginalized communities to seek justice, heal from trauma, and rebuild their lives. Legal support would include advocacy, filing cases related to caste-based violence, and ensuring victims are aware of their rights under existing anti-caste discrimination laws.
In addition to legal aid, the CJEC would focus on public education and advocacy to raise awareness about caste discrimination and human rights. By offering community education programs and working with local leaders, the center would help dismantle harmful stereotypes and promote social inclusion. Through this comprehensive approach, the center would work to create a society where Dalits and other marginalized communities can live with dignity, free from caste-based violence and discrimination. This initiative would represent a crucial step towards promoting human rights, social justice, and lasting societal change.
a) The ongoing war in my country has caused significant human rights violations, such as displacement, loss of life, property destruction, and abuses in occupied territories. It is a major challenge for human rights. The war has not only devastated the population of Ukraine but also strained existing legal and social frameworks. Just like Grodofsky mentioned in his “The Contribution of Law and Social Work to Interdisciplinary Community Development and Peace Building in the Middle East” (2007) paper, social justice must be promoted, and the community must be supported. Law and social work must collaborate in order to create holistic solutions for the victims of the war. By combining the two of them, community rebuilding, resilience, and sustainable peace could be achieved.
ReplyDeleteb) In my country, we have various organizations and centers focused on peace-building efforts, legal aid, rehabilitation services, etc. They have similar approaches, though not as well-structured as Grodofsky described. Our main human rights organization is UHHRU, which ensures legal protection for the victims of human rights violations. Another notable organization is Donbas SOS. It provides help, particularly in Donbas region, and has been advocating for the rights of people affected by the war since 2014. Unfortunately, most services in our country lack holistic approaches, which are especially important in the context of the ongoing war.
This issue is related to very important social work and human rights, so I would like to examine this aspect in context and connect it with Grodofsky's article on peacebuilding centers and human rights-based practices.
ReplyDeletea) Conflict or problem to be solved: Let’s assume that my country – Lithuania – faces many social issues related to the integration of migrants, particularly refugees. Refugees often face discrimination, social exclusion, and even violence. Due to legal and social inequality, these individuals struggle to access the necessary legal assistance, healthcare, and social integration.
b) The center I would like to create: In this case, I would like to establish a specialized peacebuilding center dedicated to refugees and migrants. This would be a place where social workers, lawyers, doctors, and psychologists collaborate to provide integrated services to ensure the protection of human rights and support for vulnerable individuals.
The center could include the following services:
• Legal assistance (e.g., helping to preserve asylum status, fighting discrimination, or dealing with the challenges of fleeing war zones),
• Psychosocial support (psychologists and social workers helping migrants cope with trauma and adaptation difficulties),
• Healthcare (doctors and other specialists providing essential health services).
It would also be important to create opportunities for cooperation with the media to promote a positive attitude towards migrants and refugees.
One pressing human rights issue in India that requires urgent attention is the exploitation and trafficking of migrant laborers, particularly those from economically disadvantaged communities. Many workers, including women and children, are forced into exploitative labor conditions in industries such as construction, brick kilns, and agriculture. Due to lack of legal awareness, debt bondage, and employer control, these laborers often work under hazardous conditions with little to no wages, facing severe human rights violations. The absence of legal documentation and social security leaves them vulnerable to further exploitation, requiring a structured intervention that combines legal aid, advocacy, and rehabilitation.
ReplyDeleteIntegration of Global Social Work Principles
Human Rights-Based Practice: Ensuring dignity, fair wages, and safe working conditions as fundamental rights.
Empowerment and Self-Determination: Equipping workers with legal and financial knowledge to break the cycle of exploitation.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Engaging experts from law, finance, and social work to provide comprehensive support.
Policy and Structural Advocacy: Working at both grassroots and policy levels to strengthen protections for migrant laborers.
By integrating social work with legal and economic advocacy, this center would serve as a lifeline for exploited workers, helping them reclaim their rights and build a future free from forced labor.
a) Irregular migration through Belarus border to Lithuania. The crisis started in summer of 2020, when Belarus openly released many visas to different countries around the world. And then using refuges who seek asylum in Europe, Belarus started what in political area called “hybrid attack” towards Europe. They started to show/push/traffic people on the move to Lithuania. They did not provide any legal way to ask asylum in Minsk, in Lithuanian embassy. The Lithuanian government reacted strict and violated human rights of the people on the move – they closed the possibility to ask for asylum (which is fundamental human right), then started pushbacks which are ongoing. People are getting stuck in the border territories, and experiencing violence, abuse, and real threat to their lives. The Belarussian border guards do not let them go back to Minsk or fly home, and Lithuanian border guards are not letting them through either. And we talk about especially vulnerable groups – elderly people, women, children and even babies. We have deaths, missing people, violence in the borders.
ReplyDeleteb) Reacting to this migration crisis, the non-formal volunteering group was created called Sienos grupe (Border group), which I am the part of. And our main goals and activities were very related to human rights peace building center, which is provide help for people who do experience human rights violations, injustice. Monitor and identify them. Also to collaborate with lawyers, medics, media and politicians and society leading the social justice and change for the irregular migrants. Now this non-formal group, is already and NGO, that still continues the work.
And my proposal would be (its actually what we tried to do, but the government did not allow us) is to have a humanitarian aid bus at the borders. Where there would work non-governmental social workers, medics – that could provide help and advice on their rights people on the move. Also to monitor that the border guards would not violate the rights of asking for asylum. And that people would receive any needed help for them not to die in the borders (have the phones, tents, sleeping bags, food, medical supplements, clean water). And for the ones is possible if Lithuania do not provide request for asylum, ask for Interim measure (rule 39) in European human rights court.
Justina Tamošiūnaitė
ReplyDeleteQUESTION #1
A) One of my interests is - gerontology. Last year I've chosen one elder care center to volunteer in and gain more experience. What I've learned from people who have worked in centers like this and from my own experience is that there are a lot of elder care centers which are quite incompetent and indifferent to their clients. They look nice from the surface, but inside there is much neglect and abuse. For example, there are workers who stays per night, but from the elder stories I've heard some of them experience verbal and physical abuse from other elders.
B) From my experience I would like to correct few things:
Firstly, I would start small - I would choose social workers with the right attitude and if there is not enough of suitable social workers/psychologists/physicians for the amount of elders, I would limit the amount, that the services would be of high quality.
Secondly, I would pay attention to the employees and elder by having talks with them that they could express their concerns and opinions about services, situations and their experience. Also, I would organize useful workshops, lectures to improve professional skills.
Thirdly, I would constantly check examples in other countries and try to improve my own care center. I would try to take the good experience and if it is possible - apply it here.
Fourthly, I would use the news portals to try to change opinion about elders and show how much we can learn from them, trying to make volunteering more popular. This could be done by doing interview with the elder, making some compaigns and getting to know each other. I would try to change the narrative about elder people which is often depreciating.
1
ReplyDeleteOne of the most pressing human rights issues in Ukraine is the forced conscription of people to the front. Many citizens, especially men, are subjected to forced conscription through territorial recruitment centers (TRC). People are simply taken from the street, without their consent and without proper training, and sent to war. This is not only life-threatening, but also often leads to the disappearance of these people. Once they are taken, they often never return, cannot get in touch, and do not receive any help.
It is important to understand that those who are sent to the front by force may lose their fighting spirit and surrender to the enemy, where they will be treated cruelly. In such circumstances, life becomes a less valuable resource, and this seriously threatens their safety and rights. It is important to note that such actions may be a violation of international law, and given the political instability, Ukrainians often quarrel among themselves due to disagreements and differences in perception of the situation.
Center for solving the problem
In order to effectively solve this problem, it is necessary to create a special center that will deal with the protection of citizens from forced conscription, as well as provide assistance to those who have already faced violence and war crimes. The center will be aimed at helping not only the victims, but also informing society about the possible risks of forced conscription. It is important to convey to people that forced participation in hostilities without preparation can lead to serious consequences, such as loss of fighting spirit, as well as surrender and torture.
Such a center should include specialists in various fields: social workers, psychologists and military experts. Social workers could provide assistance to families whose loved ones have become victims of forced conscription, support people in difficult situations and explain their rights to them. Psychologists will work with those who have experienced violence or have found themselves in difficult conditions, helping them cope with the consequences of trauma. However, it is important to understand that legal assistance will not always be available, as victims often simply disappear and cannot seek protection.
One of the important steps should be to raise awareness among citizens that forced participation in hostilities is not only life-threatening, but can also lead to catastrophic consequences, such as being taken prisoner. People must understand that their lives are more important than a dead figure on the front line, and that living people will be of much greater use to Ukraine.
To effectively solve these problems, it is important to attract international assistance. This could be military-specialized commissions from NATO countries, but not for open war operations, but for maintaining order in civilian areas. NATO troops or international observers could monitor the actions of the TCC and intervene if forced conscription occurs. This will help to avoid abuses by TCC workers and protect citizens from violence and oppression.
The creation of international commissions and military units that will monitor human rights and prevent violent conscription will help speed up the resolution of problems with the TCC and other military structures.
Thus, to solve this problem, it is necessary not only to create a center that will help citizens and protect their rights, but also to involve international partners to ensure order and protection on the ground.