Guest Lecture for Students of the “Social Work and Counselling” Programme at Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University...
On 19 March 2026, as part of Social Work Week dedicated to the celebration of World Social Work Day, the Department of Social Pedagogy and Social Work of Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University and the Department of Philosophy, Sociology and Social Work of Kherson State University held a joint interdepartmental event. The event was moderated by Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, and Professor of the Department of Social Pedagogy and Social Work at Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University, O. L. Protas,
who welcomed all participants on the occasion of World Social Work Day. She emphasised that social work is a mission of kindness and a field where dedicated professionals change lives for the better.
Greetings were also extended by the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Psychology, History and Sociology, Doctor of Sociological Sciences, Professor I. V. Shaposhnykova, who highlighted the relevance and importance of social work in today’s societal context. She stressed that social workers are people who give their hearts and inexhaustible energy to others, offering support to those in need during difficult times.
The Head of the Department of Philosophy, Sociology and Social Work, Doctor of Philosophical Sciences, Professor S. K. Kostiuchkov, also addressed the audience with congratulations and warm wishes, expressing hopes for continued fruitful cooperation with colleagues from Ivano-Frankivsk.
A vivid example of the close collaboration between the two departments was the guest lecture delivered to students of Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University and Kherson State University by Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, and Associate Professor of the Department of Philosophy, Sociology and Social Work T. M. Shvets. The lecture was held in a blended format: in-person in Ivano-Frankivsk and online. It focused on the role of mediation in social work and was dedicated to World Social Work Day.
The chosen topic — “From Conflict to Understanding: Mediation in Social Work” — sparked interest among both students and faculty members of the two departments. The lecturer provided a detailed explanation of the nature of conflict and thoroughly described strategies for overcoming crisis situations, including competition, accommodation, avoidance, compromise, and the most effective one — collaboration.
The lecture materials enabled participants to explore mediation as a key technology and a vital social service. In conclusion, the lecturer emphasised that mediation in social work exemplifies the humanisation of approaches to working with vulnerable populations, as it is grounded in the principles of voluntariness, confidentiality, and respect for human rights — principles that align with the core mission of social work.
At the end of the meeting, the Dean of the Faculty of Education at Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor O. S. Kondur, joined in expressing gratitude for the event. She noted that this joint initiative demonstrates the strong and productive cooperation between the departments of the two universities — cooperation aimed at strengthening academic and research potential through joint studies, academic mobility, conferences, and exchange of experience, ultimately contributing to the improved training of future social work professionals.