President Stevo Pendarovski addressed via a video message the participants in the International Conference entitled ‘Social work and social policies in a time of global crises’, organized by the Institute for Social Work and Social Policy and held in Ohrid from September 19 to 22.
Distinguished participants in the International Conference,
Distinguished organizers,
Dear friends,
First of all, allow me to thank you for the honor to be the patron of this important conference, as well as for the opportunity to address you via video message. Unfortunately, due to the fact that the timing of the conference overlaps with me leading the Macedonian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly, I am unable to be with you in Ohrid. Bearing in mind the subject matter discussed and the participants attending, I am convinced that the Conference will be a success, featuring quality panelists and inspirational interventions.
The very topic of the Conference implies that we are living in a time of numerous challenges and general uncertainty which sometimes, for the sake of simplifying, we call a global crisis. The Covid pandemic and then the energy and financial crisis, coupled with the current Russian invasion against Ukraine which opened a series of geopolitical issues, all contributed to us living in turbulent times which affect all of us and especially the vulnerable categories. In such situations, social work becomes vital – and to be more precise, social policies that need to provide an adequate response to the crisis and alleviete its effects.
The list of abstracts shows that the focus is placed on truly specific and interesting topics which reaffirm your wide scientific interest and reflect the situation and needs of our loal communities and societies. This wide multi-disciplinary approach enables the opening of new perspectives and offers specific successful models of handling crises in various segments of our current social context.
Dear friends,
I wish to take this opportunity to mention the dedicated work and engagement of the orgenizers of this Conference – the Institute for Social Work and Social Policy which is a special working unit in the Faculty of Philosophy and within the University Ss. Cyril and Methodius – you celebrated six and a half decades since your establishment, and next year you will celebrate one more important jubilee – 30 years since the start of postgraduate programs.
Many top scientists, professors and experts were related to this institution in the past decades, leaving an indelible trace in Macedonian society. At this moment, the Institute relies on an excellent team that continues to assure high – quality functioning of the institution. This Conference starting today is, namely, an indicator of the reputation and importance of the Institute.
I wish that you continue to work with dedication and to achieve success in your endeavors, above all in education and training of quality staff in the area of social work.
At the end, allow me once again to wish you a successful conference, many interesting discussions and of course, a very pleasant stay in the Macedonian Jerusalem.
Thank you.
