Social work faculty presents research in Spain

A contingent of social work faculty from Western Michigan University traveled to Salamanca, Spain, to present their research at the 8th International Conference of the European Council for Social Research on Latin America. The conference forum was organized by Dr. Hector Diaz, director of the School of Social Work, and Dr. Antonio López Peláez, former visiting scholar to WMU. The topic was: "Charity vs. Development: What Should Be the Mission and Strategy of the Social Work Profession?"

• Dr. Miaora Diaconu presented papers on refugee migration and international service learning courses.
• Drs. Linda Reeser and Susan Weinger presented their research on a class activist framework for teaching about poverty.
• Dr. Dee Sherwood and graduate assistant, Joy Langereis presented research on strategies for developing intercultural competencies (co-authored by Marian Tripplett and Sarah Hoyle-Katz).

The group also met with faculty from University of La Rioja and National University of Distance Education (UNED) in Madrid to explore future opportunities to collaborate with WMU.

About CEISAL

The European Council for Social Research in Latin America (CEISAL) was founded in Rheda Castle, Westphalia on April 16, 1971, as an initiative to improve relations between Western and Eastern Europe. The intention was to create an area for academic freedom and critical exchange between the two regions aiming to develop the European Americanism. For more information, visit red-redial.net.