A 'Well-being' Bridge from Copenhagen to Üsküdar

Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences organized the event "International Social Work Seminar Social Work with Children and Youth in Denmark: Rights, Participation, and Inclusive Practices." At the event, which addressed Denmark's new legal regulations and social work practices in the field of child rights, academics from Copenhagen University offered participants a comprehensive perspective through the concepts of "space, voice, audience, and impact," the four main components of child participation.

The event, held in the Yuşa Hall at Üsküdar University's Çarşı Campus, was attended by Üsküdar University Rector's Advisor Prof. İsmail Barış, Prof. Abdullah Karatay, faculty member of the Social Work Department at the Faculty of Health Sciences, and Copenhagen University faculty members Prof. Maj Borggaard Hansen and Anne Homann Bjerregaard.

Well-being is directly linked to children's welfare

Prof. Maj Borggaard Hansen, who delivered the opening speech of the event, explained that although pedagogy and social work expertise are separate disciplines in the Danish education system, they work in strong cooperation when it comes to child welfare.
Hansen stated that educators and social workers act with an approach that centers the "well-being" of children, emphasizing that this concept is directly linked to child welfare.

Serious problems are experienced in child welfare!

Speaker Anne Homann Bjerregaard, on the other hand, drew attention to the fact that despite Denmark's high per capita income and strong social security system, it faces significant problems in child welfare.

Stating that issues such as pressure for success in society, performance-oriented lifestyles, and loneliness make children vulnerable, Bjerregaard said that under the new "Children's Act" which came into force in 2024, the principle of "the child's best interest" has taken a more central position than ever before.

If children are well, you are well too…

Experts touched upon the impact of professionals on children, stating, "If the child is well, you are well too. If you are not well, the child is not well either."

It was underlined that while children are being prepared for an independent adult life, the balance between the right to protection and the right to participation must be established with sensitivity.

The event concluded after the Q&A session with the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the participants.