Unity through Relationship Annual Conference

9th and 10th November 2015 Regency Airport Hotel Dublin

‘Unity though Relationship’ is a collaborative association between The Gateway Organisation, TransformAction International and Empower Ireland with the aim of facilitating and hosting knowledge mobilization and networking events designed to bring together professionals from the various diverse (but related) disciplines involved in the care-cycle of vulnerable groups. These disciplines range from early preventative involvement to specialized post-trauma interventions.

We are delighted to announce that Drs Jim Anglin and Thom Garfat are keynoting the 2015 ‘Unity through Relationship’ annual conference. This conference is an inclusive international event seeking to build on the connections and relationships made in previous years by bringing together representatives of all sectors involved in the provision of services to children, youth and families. These include (not an exhaustive list): front-line practitioners, educators, researchers, managers, clinicians, carers, academics, policy makers and students. The theme for this year’s conference is:

Conference theme – ‘Congruent Care through Theory – Dialogue - Practice.

As Paulo Freire has pointed out dialogue is the essence of a coherent andcomprehensiveprocess of sharing; values, knowledge, advice and support. In this sense, 'dialogue' represents 'action', rather than discussion without purpose as it encompasses research, theory, practice and politics.

To have effective, consistent and congruent practice in child, youth and family services it is clear that 'dialogue' is essential, and that this dialogue must permeate the everyday lives of those involved. Dialogue must exist within and between carers; those being cared for; child protection practitioners; educators; managers; clinicians; researchers and all thosewishing to take up the mantel.

The objectives of this 2 day conference are (within a relational framework):

(i) to provide a forum to highlight thinking and share the views and practice experiences of all who recognise this ‘imperative’;

(ii)to go some way to meeting the needfor the realisation of processes which permit the translation of theory and research into practice;

(iii) to share progressive and contemporary knowledge.

The importance of 'action' is fullyrecognised when discussing the development of a fully integrated and relationally-based system of care. But if we are to exist within a system of effective, congruent and values-based care practices there needs to be space for ‘discussion and dissemination’, as only dialogue in praxis can ensure the promotion of the core values of; respect, equity, participation, partnership, empowerment and social justice.

This years, contributors already confirmed are:

UK: Dr Mark Smith, Dr Karen Winter, Gary Peebles, Max Smart, Graham McPheat, Stephen Drysdale, Dr Clive Acraman.

Canada: Dr Jim Anglin, Dr Thom Garfat, Monica Pauls, Dr Cathy Carston, and Kelly Shaw.

Ireland: Dr John Digney, Maurice Fenton, David Power, Fergal Landy, Derek McDonnell, Brian Hogan, Dr Caroline McGregor, Dr Anne Cassidy, Aoife Prendergast, Emmett Tuite andLavinia Mclean.

Germany: Joerg Schlueter and Brigitte Paterson.

RSA: Jackie Winfield.

To have effective, consistent and congruent practice in the ‘social caring and education’ professions, it is clear that 'dialogue' must permeate the everyday lives of those involved and this series of events (below) holds this truth at its core.

Programme of Events

  • The week commences with a 2-day International Conference, bringing into the same space representatives from Social Care, Social Work, Youth Work, Justice, Teaching, Psychology and other interested professions;
  • This will be followed with a 1-day training conference for those specifically from Aftercare and Foster and Residential Care, focusing on models of support for those preparation for leaving care and in transition as well as in aftercare. Robbie Gilligan will be the keynote speaker;
  • The final 2 days of this weeks programme will be to provide a selection of contemporary training programmes which are designed to up-skill and inform participants;
  • There shall be various social and networking events throughout the week.

The events have the following objectives:

  1. To encourage participation, both as contributors and delegates, from the full spectrum of allied service providers, from across the World.
  2. To create a ‘menu’ of networking events (both formal and informal) that will go some way to: (i) sharing best practice and (ii) allow for translation of theory into practice.
  3. To allow a forum for endorsed and contemporary learning & development programmes be delivered in a multidisciplinary and cross-jurisdictional manner.

This conference will be innovative, programmatic, participative, comparative, critical and empowering.

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