Conference on specifics of helping professions held at UNN
From October 22 to 23, Lobachevsky University is hosting the International Research Conference “Helping Professions: Scientific Basis and Innovative Technologies.” The event dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Faculty of Social Sciences has brought together over 300 participants from 10 countries (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Guinea, Ghana, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Serbia, and the Russian Federation), 44 Russian cities, 61 universities, and 41 research organizations.
Evgenia Chernykh, UNN Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, addressed the conference participants with welcoming remarks. She highlighted the extensive geographical representation of attendees and the relevance of the topic, which unites a wide range of experts in the humanities field: sociologists, psychologists, educators, lawyers, medical professionals, and social workers.
Zaretkhan Saralieva, Deputy Chairperson of the conference organizing committee, Professor at the Department of General Sociology and Social Work at the UNN Faculty of Social Sciences, stressed that international research conferences have become a cherished tradition for the department:
"Exactly 10 years ago, in 2016, we organised a conference with the same name. Ten years is a significant enough period to assess what has emerged as new in the interpretation of helping professions, It is particularly noteworthy that this conference that is held in the year of the 30th anniversary of the Faculty of Social Sciences and the 110th anniversary of the university itself, has drawn the attention of leading experts from specialised institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lomonosov Moscow State University, St. Petersburg State University, the Russian State Social University, a pioneer in the field of social work, and many other prominent research centres".
Over the course of two days, plenary sessions are held, with five sections: “The System of Helping Professions: Traditions, Dynamics, Resourcefulness, Innovative Technologies”; “Interaction and Conflicts in the Field of Helping Professions”; “Medical and Psychosocial Rehabilitation in the Field of Helping Professions”; “The Image of a Specialist in Helping Professions”; “Family and Demographic Issues in the System of Helping Professions.” The conference addresses topics such as the content of specialists' work in helping professions; methods for fostering professional self-awareness among students in helping professions; sociologists and conflict resolution experts as helping professions; trends in the professional activities of healthcare specialists, and much more.
According to Valery Mansurov, President of the Russian Society of Sociologists and academician of the Russian Academy of Social Sciences, something new always emerges, especially in the life of human society. Realities are changing, terminology is changing, accents and formulations are changing. It is important to record and analyse these changes, and to see how it can be applied in practice. This is why research conferences are so valuable, they help to systematise and consolidate knowledge and pass it on to future generations.
"We are discussing a vital topic that defines what makes a person human and a society civilised. Helping professions remain relevant because our lives are growing increasingly complex in all aspects, bringing not only certain advantages and benefits but also presenting significant challenges. The range of professions categorised as helping professions, and, most importantly, the education designed to prepare such specialists — this is the focus of the serious discussion we will engage in during the conference. And we are truly delighted that we have the support of distinguished scholars who have joined us,” noted Roman Golubin, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Lobachevsky University.
The conference is organised by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Lobachevsky University, UNN Faculty of Social Sciences, and the Russian Society of Sociologists.
