CYSCA Trains Social Workers from Armenia

The Cambridge-Yerevan Sister City Association (CYSCA) recently concluded a USAID-funded project called “Community Connections” for social work professionals from Armenia. The project was administered by World Learning, Inc. and developed and hosted by CYSCA.

The CYSCA social worker group from Armenia visiting the Massachusetts State House of Representatives, where they were briefed about the social work system by State Reps Alice Wolf (back center), Jon Hecht (back right), and Peter Koutoujian.
The CYSCA social worker group from Armenia visiting the Massachusetts State House of Representatives, where they were briefed about the social work system by State Reps Alice Wolf (back center), Jon Hecht (back right), and Peter Koutoujian.

Ten professionals from Armenia spent three weeks in the Greater Boston area immersing themselves in the American system of social work. During their stay, they visited 26 different sites and met with over 50 presenters.  Subjects ranged from education and licensure, to social work in different areas, to adoption, the government, disabled children, seniors centers, the poor and vulnerable, and universities.  The group, enlightened and inspired throughout the visit, will implement many aspects of their experience upon their return to Armenia under concrete action plans facilitated by CYSCA.

The participants represented three groups of work: government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), and education.  They were a diverse group in every respect—age, background, interests—yet they all bonded and learned from one another, as well as from those in the United States.

During their stay, the participants took part in a panel discussion jointly sponsored by CYSCA and NAASR on June 25.  They presented information on the realities in Armenia and spoke about the various successes and barriers they’ve encountered in areas such as funding, community outreach, and the current global economic crisis.

Since its inception following Armenia’s independence in 1991, social work has been a growing industry.  The government has begun to recognize the need for social services among the people and is working with local NGOs to provide necessary support and assistance to vulnerable populations.  Yet, more work lies ahead.  The visiting professionals were well aware that although the foundation has been set and meaningful work has been achieved, there needs to be a continuity of care with various individuals and groups in Armenia.  Fortunately, the participants in the group represent various geographic areas of the country, allowing them to canvas more areas in their work. 

During their stay, the participants talked about a particular site in relation to their action plan and how that site visit would be helpful in putting together and implementing action plans upon returning to Armenia. Aftandil Markosyan, the regional director of social work in the Tavush region, said, “We are impressed with the work of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) in the U.S. and plan as a group action to create a similar organization in Armenia.”  The entire group expressed their gratitude and appreciation for a very full, structured, well-organized program.

A visit to University of Connecticut School of Social Work (UCONN) brought together old acquaintances—teachers and students who are part of an ongoing exchange program with the Yerevan State University (YSU), led by Professor Dr. Nancy Humphreys, head of the school of social work at UCONN.  Since 1991, UCONN has had a relationship with YSU, where Humphreys organized the first curriculum for social work.  Arusyag Safaryan, a social work faculty at YSU, said, “We are excited that as a result of our visit we have now planned to jointly sponsor an international social work conference at YSU in 2010.”  Alisa Stepanian, the CYSCA project manager, observed, “This is exactly what our program is intended to do—connect communities!”

Reflecting on this CYSCA “Community Connections” program—the 18th since 1997—its program director Jack Medzorian said, “We are proud to have been chosen by the USAID to implement this most important program and are convinced that our group, with their enthusiasm and newly acquired knowledge about social work in the United States, will ‘make a difference’ in Armenia.”

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