By Delicia Janneire
Social workers from both the public and private sectors convened at the University of Guyana for a conference aimed at enhancing the profession and addressing critical needs in the field.
The event, which took place earlier today, saw discussions on the importance of expanding social work education to include various specializations.
During the conference, Human Services Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud emphasized the necessity of specialists in the social work sector.
She highlighted the importance of catering to a diverse range of issues, including child-related issues, trauma, and aging-related concerns.
Minister Persaud stressed the need for specialized training to ensure that social workers can effectively address the complex needs of individuals throughout their life cycle.
Furthermore, Minister Persaud called upon the University of Guyana to consider and facilitate the integration of specialized training programs into their social work curriculum.
She underscored the importance of equipping social workers with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle the multifaceted challenges faced by communities.
In addition to Minister Persaud’s address, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohammed Martin, provided insights into the journey of social work courses offered at the Department of Sociology.
She highlighted the progression from a certificate in social work to the current master’s program.
Professor Martin also mentioned ongoing efforts to collaborate with organizations such as the Social Work Association of Guyana (SWAG) and work towards licensing social workers.
The conference also featured addresses by Ambassador of the European Union, Rene van Nes, and Dr. Tracie Rogers from the Social Work Unit of the University of the West Indies Mona Campus.
Overall, the Social Workers Conference served as a platform for dialogue and collaboration, with stakeholders coming together to explore avenues for advancing the profession and meeting the evolving needs of society.