Creating the field of social work in Post-Soviet Lithuania

Abstract

This study begins with the social-political context in Lithuania in 1990, amidst social chaos after Soviet rule. At that time, there was a sharp rise in alcoholism and violence in the family. However, health care and other service providers had been relating to their clients in a manner carried over from the older authoritarian structure, primarily by using blaming stances and paternalism. At that time the author, a former surgeon, saw the need to create innovative social service programs and joined the NGO Caritas that had valuing the individual as its key principle. The study outlines the following changes in laws and programs for the poor and needy, including changes to admitting children to psychiatric institutions. Professional social work first began at this time, with the training at Vytautas Magnus University, where the author now lectures. Components of social work training include three distinct characteristics; personal authenticity, the connection between theory and practice through reflection, and a value laden curriculum that promotes freedom, respect and dignity for self and others and social justice.