When Communism fell, so did the structure of Russian society, Dr. Sharon Templeman, assistant professor of social work at SFA, said. She was the one who has secured SFA's support for assistance to the Novgorad State University, whose program consists of only a few courses. There is a lot of theory but not a lot of practice skills. The need grew for non-governmental social assistance, and then a need for those practitioners to become trained professionals, which ultimately has led to the need for trained educators. Russia is a work in progress.
Social conditions are chaotic and dire.
They are not looking to replicate our ideas. Osipov will be speaking to classes on social conditions and the subsequent development of social work as a profession in Russia. He will also attend classes and observe local practitioners, learning hands-on from students and professionals. In addition, Osipov will facilitate a session with SFA faculty on March 8 at the largest gathering of social work educators in the nation-the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program in Dallas. Our assistance is in no way philanthropic.