Papers by Agapi Kandylaki
British Journal of Social Work, Nov 2, 2017
This article draws on critical, anti-oppressive and human rights perspectives and presents a soci... more This article draws on critical, anti-oppressive and human rights perspectives and presents a social work project, developed in the disadvantaged 'Muslim Roma' neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the big cities in the region of Thrace-Greece. The project aims at dealing with school drop-out, encouraging children's regular attendance and improving their educational attainment. It encounters multilevel and holistic interventions, aiming at challenging discrimination and exclusion. Inclusion in education is a prerequisite for the implementation of any anti-discriminatory and antioppressive policies, as illiterate people face severe difficulties in profiting from any of these. It is claimed that, although education is both a right and an obligation for children, families, schools and the state, this is not always the case for the population under study, as safeguarding children's right to education is being hindered by the complexity of imposed obstacles in the Muslim Roma communities, namely poverty, poor health, frequently unregistered children, inadequate health services and intergenerational illiteracy. It has been even more perplexed by negative stereotypes and prejudices attributed to them. Direct practice and empowerment, systemic analysis, counselling and community-oriented social work interventions formulated the project, which aimed to bridge schools, families and communities and tackle school drop-out.
South European Society and Politics, Nov 1, 2005
The British Journal of Social Work, 2017
This article draws on critical, anti-oppressive and human rights perspectives and presents a soci... more This article draws on critical, anti-oppressive and human rights perspectives and presents a social work project, developed in the disadvantaged 'Muslim Roma' neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the big cities in the region of Thrace-Greece. The project aims at dealing with school drop-out, encouraging children's regular attendance and improving their educational attainment. It encounters multilevel and holistic interventions, aiming at challenging discrimination and exclusion. Inclusion in education is a prerequisite for the implementation of any anti-discriminatory and antioppressive policies, as illiterate people face severe difficulties in profiting from any of these. It is claimed that, although education is both a right and an obligation for children, families, schools and the state, this is not always the case for the population under study, as safeguarding children's right to education is being hindered by the complexity of imposed obstacles in the Muslim Roma communities, namely poverty, poor health, frequently unregistered children, inadequate health services and intergenerational illiteracy. It has been even more perplexed by negative stereotypes and prejudices attributed to them. Direct practice and empowerment, systemic analysis, counselling and community-oriented social work interventions formulated the project, which aimed to bridge schools, families and communities and tackle school drop-out.
This article draws on critical, anti-oppressive and human rights perspectives and presents a soci... more This article draws on critical, anti-oppressive and human rights perspectives and presents a social work project, developed in the disadvantaged 'Muslim Roma' neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the big cities in the region of Thrace-Greece. The project aims at dealing with school drop-out, encouraging children's regular attendance and improving their educational attainment. It encounters multilevel and holistic interventions, aiming at challenging discrimination and exclusion. Inclusion in education is a prerequisite for the implementation of any anti-discriminatory and antioppressive policies, as illiterate people face severe difficulties in profiting from any of these. It is claimed that, although education is both a right and an obligation for children, families, schools and the state, this is not always the case for the population under study, as safeguarding children's right to education is being hindered by the complexity of imposed obstacles in the Muslim Roma communities, namely poverty, poor health, frequently unregistered children, inadequate health services and intergenerational illiteracy. It has been even more perplexed by negative stereotypes and prejudices attributed to them. Direct practice and empowerment, systemic analysis, counselling and community-oriented social work interventions formulated the project, which aimed to bridge schools, families and communities and tackle school drop-out.
This paper presents an action research involving the design and implementation of a creative art ... more This paper presents an action research involving the design and implementation of a creative art project and the analysis of indepth individual and focus group interviews to reflect on the participants' experience of 'learning by doing'. It was held by a group of undergraduate and postgraduate social work students in the University of Thrace-Greece, under the supervision of a social work professor (one of the writers). The aim was to enhance the school environment and the students' critical thinking. As critical and human rights perspectives are central in the social work academic curriculum, they formed the basis for this project. Empowering students to tackle stereotypes, challenge racist attitudes, promote equal opportunities and defend human and social rights are prerequisites for social work qualification. Creative and art group work has proved essential for the embodiment of critical practice and a challenging experience through 'learning by doing'. How creative art may engage in critical thinking is explored, by the data analysis of the recorded semi-structured individual and focus group interviews transcripts, to reveal how the experience of participating in the project has affected students' attitudes, perspectives and feelings about their studies.
This article attempts a preliminary exploration of the evolving dimensions and underlying subtlet... more This article attempts a preliminary exploration of the evolving dimensions and underlying subtleties of multiculturalism for social work practice in Greece, particularly in the region of Thrace. It is based on a pilot study with a group of social workers, who disclose their experience and attitudes through accounts of practice. The central argument developed is that, although it is important for professionals to be aware of cultural differences, it might also be dangerous to rely too much on the importance of culture without considering structural elements such as poverty and discrimination which lead to social exclusion.
Biofeedback treatment is among the methods proposed to prevent and treat many organic and mental ... more Biofeedback treatment is among the methods proposed to prevent and treat many organic and mental problems. Many experts carry out biofeedback application since it is applied by psychiatrists, psychologists, doctors, social workers, nurses, and physiotherapists. Biofeedback is a non-invasive, natural method that does not require drugs, although it can be used along with medicines. It is based on the learning and training of individuals on their body’s normal functions such as muscle pain, brain waves, heart rate, pain perception, skin conductivity, and blood pressure. It is often used to treat stress, anxiety, headaches, insomnia, tension, urinary incontinence, muscle aches, and other problems. It can be applied in conjunction with other therapies when necessary, such as psychotherapy, meditation, or other alternative therapies. It has many applications with no side effects, does not create dependencies, and can be interrupted at any time.
Social Work Education
ABSTRACT This paper presents an action research involving the design and implementation of a crea... more ABSTRACT This paper presents an action research involving the design and implementation of a creative art project and the analysis of in-depth individual and focus group interviews to reflect on the participants’ experience of ‘learning by doing’. It was held by a group of undergraduate and postgraduate social work students in the University of Thrace – Greece, under the supervision of a social work professor (one of the writers). The aim was to enhance the school environment and the students’ critical thinking. As critical and human rights perspectives are central in the social work academic curriculum, they formed the basis for this project. Empowering students to tackle stereotypes, challenge racist attitudes, promote equal opportunities and defend human and social rights are prerequisites for social work qualification. Creative and art group work has proved essential for the embodiment of critical practice and a challenging experience through ‘learning by doing’. How creative art may engage in critical thinking is explored, by the data analysis of the recorded semi-structured individual and focus group interviews transcripts, to reveal how the experience of participating in the project has affected students’ attitudes, perspectives and feelings about their studies. KEYWORDS: Critical social workhuman rights perspectivegraffiti projectcriticalreflectioncreative art
Uploads
Papers by Agapi Kandylaki