Kherson State University

Organized by the Lviv State University of Life Safety.

The purpose of the conference was to unite scholars, practitioners, veterans, and students for a professional dialogue on current challenges, trends, and prospects in the development of social work in Ukraine, as well as to improve the training of specialists in the social sphere.

Participants in the conference included academic staff of higher education institutions, representatives of research organizations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, regional state administrations and local self-government bodies, as well as young researchers, students and cadets, members of public organizations, and volunteer movements.

At the conference, issues were addressed concerning the organization and implementation of social work under current conditions and the realities of martial law; social support for veterans; prospects for the social development of communities and society; the design and introduction of modern developmental technologies in work with various categories of people; the specifics of psychosocial support for individuals in crisis situations and during wartime; the advancement of educational foundations for the training of social workers; and the implementation of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of November 29, 2024, No. 1209-r “On the Approval of the Veteran Policy Strategy for the Period up to 2030 and the Endorsement of the Operational Action Plan for its Implementation in 2024–2027.”

Faculty members and students of the Department of Philosophy, Sociology, and Social Work took part in the sectional meetings within the framework of the conference:

1. Theoretical foundations of modern social work: new paradigms, approaches, and concepts for the development of the social sphere under conditions of social transformation.

2. Social support, rehabilitation, and social integration of war veterans in contemporary society: work with military personnel, internally displaced persons, families of the deceased, wounded, captured, and affected individuals.

3. Contemporary challenges and instruments of social policy: national and international experience.

4. Social work under wartime conditions and post-war recovery: institutional changes, adaptation of practices, social mobility, resilience, interaction, and community sustainability.

5. Professional activity and training of social sphere specialists: current trends, challenges, and prospects.

6. Psychological aspects of social work: dealing with trauma, burnout, and loss. Psychosocial support for individuals in crisis situations: theory, methodology, and practical aspects.

7. Interdisciplinary discourse in the study of social problems.

8. Discussion panel: consideration of the educational and professional program “Social Protection in the Security and Defense Sector. Social Support” at the first (Bachelor’s) level of higher education, specialty I10 “Social Work and Counseling.”

The materials prepared by the faculty members and students of our department will be published in the electronic collection of conference proceedings and will also be made available on the conference website.