An event titled “International Social Work: Social Work Education and Child Protection System in Denmark” was organized by the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences. Dr. Helle Galberg Jensen, Dr. Pernille Johansen, and Dr. Sandra Krebs Hille from Denmark participated in the event, where Prof. Dr. Abdullah Karatay, a faculty member of the Social Work Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences, served as interpreter. Within the scope of the event, the fundamental similarities and differences between the systems of the two countries were compared.
Rector's Advisor, Head of the Social Work Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış, and Dr. Lecturer Demet GüIaldı from the Child Development Department of the Faculty of Health Sciences also attended the event, which took place in the Beylerbeyi Hall of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Çarşı Campus.
The event, with Prof. Dr. Abdullah Karatay, a faculty member of the Social Work Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences, serving as interpreter, began with the participants introducing themselves.
Dr. Pernille Johansen: “The main theme of the Danish system is that all citizens have equal rights”
Dr. Pernille Johansen, who stated that she worked on women's abuse before entering academic life, spoke about the Danish system. Johansen said; “Denmark is a small country in terms of population and area, and the Danish welfare system is defined by its equality for everyone. The main theme of the system is that all citizens have equal rights. Our model is defined as a universal welfare model. This model ensures that all citizens have equal access to services such as education and health. In terms of tax burden, we are also the country with the heaviest tax burden in the world. Primary schools, secondary schools, and universities in Denmark are completely free. These services are universal benefits, and everyone can benefit from them. Everyone can get sick, everyone may need education, but not everyone may be unemployed. When unemployed, rights such as unemployment benefits, disability benefits, and old-age benefits are provided.”
Dr. Helle Galberg Jensen: “The most significant problems are social inequalities”
Dr. Helle Galberg Jensen, also stating that social inequalities are observed in Denmark, albeit not in large numbers; “In Denmark, with the dissolution of social welfare states, objections to the sharing of public services exist, as they do all over the world. In our opinion, the most significant problems are social inequalities. These are inequalities in income distribution and equal access to public services.” she said.
Dr. Sandra Krebs-Hille: “Interdisciplinary practical education is focused on in social work”
Dr. Sandra Krebs-Hille, who spoke about the social work department in Denmark and provided information to the participants; “The field of social work is a 3.5-year education, and an area of specialization is chosen as soon as it begins. In social work, all interdisciplinary practical education is focused on. We have programs aimed at personal development. In the first semester of the first year, there are courses aimed at individuals communicating and developing relationships with citizens. The second semester of the first year is the period with courses aimed at further specialization in the field.” she stated.
The event concluded after the question and answer session.