Social workers immersions and reciprocal learning

The foundation of all our international initiatives is rooted in the principle of partnership. We collaborate closely with our partners to co-develop activities that align with the specific needs of local communities in each country or region. At the core of this strategy is the establishment of forums for professional exchange, fostering mutual learning among practitioners and enhancing their professional competencies.

Our objective is to build and expand a network of civil society actors that champions innovation and novel approaches in the support of young individuals and families. This guiding principle is exemplified in our social workers immersions within the family support program. The essence of this concept lies in organizing immersive experiences for social workers from one partnering organization to another for several days. This setup provides them with a unique opportunity to observe, assimilate, question, and draw inspiration from the practices of fellow professionals in the same field but within a distinct context. Additionally, we actively seek to integrate the expertise of our international partners into our own teams.

Exchanges among Family Houses

Operating in various countries, Family Houses serve as communal spaces designed to break the isolation faced by families in precarious situations. They aim to restore disrupted family ties and enhance parenting and educational practices. Immersions play a pivotal role in allowing our partners to immerse themselves in the daily routines of their peers, uncovering potential new methodologies and ideas to enhance their own initiatives. Furthermore, these experiences contribute to the development and solidification of an international network united by a shared mission: the protection of vulnerable youth and support for parenthood.

Cross-cultural Immersions in Central Africa and Southeast Asia

Between June and October, we facilitated cross-cultural immersions between social workers from the Kogl Taaba association in Burkina Faso and Solidarité Batoto in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Similarly, exchanges took place between Cameleon in the Philippines and Women’s Resource Center (WRC) in Cambodia. In total, four immersions took place this year.

Throughout these visits, social workers seized the opportunity to observe, exchange ideas, and actively participate in workshops alongside the youth and families engaged in these programs. They also actively engaged in the team meetings of the host organization, gaining insights into their operational methods. For instance, our two partners in Southeast Asia showcased vastly different organizational structures within their Family Houses, providing inspiration for each other to enhance their respective approaches. Additionally, these immersions facilitated discussions among educators on specific topics related to family engagement within the project, such as differences or similarities in individual and collective responsibilities of teams and various strategies to attract more families to the program.

A notable outcome is that these immersions not only fostered the creation of new social, emotional, and professional connections among our partners but also sustained existing bonds. We firmly believe that the exchange of experiences and practices is pivotal to the continuous improvement of the positive impact of our projects.