International Lecture on Essential Skills for becoming a Global Social Worker
Date: 30 October 2024
The Department of Social Work, Kristu Jayanti College organised an International Expert Lecture on Essential Skills for Becoming a Global Social Worker on 30th October 2024. The objective of the lecture was to provide an insight to the students on essential skills to become a Global Social Worker. The Resource person Mr. Samuel Mammen, Programme Director, Oak Hill Ranch, Canada addressed the students on Canadian Code and Ethics of Social Work Practice. He also pointed out the skills and techniques of Social Work practices in abroad. He also presented the scope of Social Work in Canada and abroad. The programme was well executed by the Students Coordinators. The lecture was an interactive one.

The lecture was ended up with a question answer round, where the students have clarified their doubts by raising the issues on Clinical practices, role of Medical Social Worker, counsellor and areas of intervention. The resource person along with his team members from Canada have attended the lecture. The lecture session went on well and successful with the cooperation of faculties of Department of Social Work.

Kristu Jayanti Nobel Prize Lecture Series on Nobel Peace Prize 2024
Date: 15 October 2024
The Department of Social Work, Kristu Jayanti College, Bengaluru organised a Nobel Prize Lecture series on Nobel Peace Prize 2024 on 15th October 2024. The objective of the lecture series was to unite voices to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. The moderator for the panel discussion was Dr.Lyola Thomas, Associate Professor, Department of English, Kristu Jayanti College, Bengaluru. The formal session commenced at 2:00 PM, with Ms. Fathima Hannath, the Emcee, welcoming everyone and sharing the significance of the Nobel Peace Prize and its relevance to global nuclear disarmament efforts.

The discussion covered a range of topics including The Impact of Hibakusha Voices, Historical and Contemporary Perspective on Nuclear Taboo, Commemorating 80 years since Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Nihon Hidankyo and Global Peace Movements, Youth Engagement in Nuclear Disarmament and A world without Nuclear Weapons. Each segment provided an in-depth exploration of the historical context, present challenges, and future possibilities surrounding nuclear disarmament. The students effectively engaged the audience, highlighting the role of global peace movements, youth activism, and the importance of honoring the legacy of the Hibakusha in the ongoing fight for a nuclear-free world.

Following the presentation by the speakers, the esteemed moderator, Dr. Lyola Thomas appreciated the spekaers for their enthusiasm and vehemtly raising their voices for a nuclear free world. She also shared her thoughts, emphasizing the responsibility of social workers to raise their voices as ambassadors for human rights and peace. The panel discussion was a valuable addition to the Kristu Jayanti Nobel Peace Prize Lecture Series, successfully raising awareness on nuclear disarmament and fostered a spirit of activism and advocacy among the students.

Cyber ethics- A Social Work Perspective
As part of the International Lecture Series, the Department of Social Work organized a lecture on ‘Cyber ethics- A Social Work Perspective’ on 16th February 2018. The expert speaker for the lecture was Mr. Abhishek Clifford Jacob, Chief Executive Officer, RESCUE, Mysore. Mr. Justin K Jose, student of II MSW delivered the welcome address and Dr. Jonas Richard A, Head of the Department of Social Work felicitated the gathering and addressed the need and importance of cyberethics in the fast growing world of technology.

The word cyber ethics refers to a code of safe and responsible behavior for the Internet user community. Practicing good cyber ethics involves understanding the risks of harmful and illegal behavior online and learn how to protect ourselves, and other Internet users, from such behavior. It also involves teaching young people that may not realize the possible for harm to themselves and others, that use the Internet safely and responsibly

The session began with a visual representation of a film trailer which exhibited the extremity of girls who are trafficked and are abused in the Western countries. The resource person mentioned the four giants faced in the worlds today which are the mass gang rape of teenage girls, baby genocide, advertising rape and 37 million deaths of secret World War III. Human trafficking is considered as the second largest criminal activity. The solution for all these kind of callous activity is cyberethics.

The suitable remedies which can be suggested for all these acts can be strengthening the media campaigns, conducting PTA meetings in educational institutions, introducing parental software, blocking the porn websites across the country.

The discussion ended with the question and answer session where the students raised their queries about the implementation of rules and regulations, remedies for human trafficking and the importance to eliminate such social issues from the society. The program ended with a vote of thanks by Ms. Aishwarya Aravind, student of I MSW.

Child Protection and Advocacy
An International Lecture Series on Child Protection and Advocacy was organised by the Department of Social Work on 6th February 2017. Dr. Valentina Calcaterra, Researcher & Social Worker, Catholic University of Milan, Italy address the students on this topic.

Dr. Valentina Calcaterra introduced the concept of Relational Approach in Social Work. The approach aims at engaging existing networks of individuals with problems to enhance their resilience and capacity to resolve difficulties. The highlighted feature of the approach is that it engages, mobilises and develops both supportive and problem- solving networks as mentioned by the speaker. She stated that the term network refers to family members, friends, teachers and any other significant factors who have a contribution to make in problem- solving.

The speaker elaborated the process of placing children under foster care through family group conference and assessments done by the Social Worker. The various questions regarding the difference between Social Work practice in Italy and India, family group conference, problems faced by youth in Italy, measures to prevent sexual abuse among children, challenges faced by Social Workers in Italy and the role of National Social Work Council of Italy were discussed.

Social Work Licensing in Australia
The Department of Social Work organized an international lecture series on the topic Social Work Licensing in Australia on 16 February 2017. The lecture aimed at educating the students on the scope of Social work and on the various requirements of a Social Worker to work in Australia. Mr. Jomet Mani, Managing Director, YESTE Migration Counseling, Australia was the resource person.

Mr. Mani highlighted that field work and internship hours are significant and their successful completion could result in enriched practical knowledge and increased opportunity to work abroad. He briefed the students on the migration procedure and the skill requirements of a Social Worker in Australia.

Mr. Mani suggested that registration in the Australian professional bodies of Social Work like Australian Association of Social Work (AASW) and Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) could guide aspiring Social Workers on migration to Australia. Further the various roles played by such professional bodies were discussed.

Understanding Social Withdrawal of Young People in Hong Kong
The Department of Social Work organized an international lecture series on Understanding Social Withdrawal of Young People in Hong Kong on 16 February 2017. The expert lecture aimed to enlighten the participants on the various Social issues faced by the migrant youth in Hong Kong and the professional services provided to them by Don Bosco South Asian Youth Services. Rev. Fr. Dolphie Sequirra Director, Don Bosco South Asian Youth Services, Hong Kong gave insight about the issue.

Fr. Sequirra stated that minorities the South Asian community were the vulnerable population. The critical aspects on the social issues such as discrimination, racism, economic deprivation, social degradation, unemployment, cultural differences, inequality in treatment, stereotyping faced by t ethnic minorities. Fr. Sequirra concluded that it is important to embrace diversity and accommodate and accept multiculturalism. The speaker was delighted to clarify doubts of students regarding the activities of youth in DB-SAYS, reason for migration from India and recent policies for the welfare of the migrants.