CARITAS - College of Social Work Olomouc

National Network
République tchèque
Address

Nám. Republiky 3
779 00 Olomouc
Tchéquie

Telephone
+420 585 209 020
E-Mail
skola@caritas-vos.cz
E-Mail (2)
Eva.kubickova@caritas-vos.cz
Organisation Type
Other
Year of Establishment
1995
Fields of Activity
  1. Democracy and community development
  2. Environment/Sustainable development
  3. Gender
  4. Human rights
  5. International/Cultural relations
  6. Religion
  7. Research
  8. Youth and education
General Information

CARITAS – College of Social Work Olomouc is a church catholic vocational college founded by the Archbishop of Olomouc in 1995. CARITAS offers 2 study programmes: Social Work and Humanitarian Work. Both study programmes are jointly accredited  as  3-year Bachelor’s degree study programmes in the cooperation with Sts. Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology of Palacky University in Olomouc. Currently,  appr. 400 students study at the College; 260 are full-time students and 140 are part-time students.It runs Educational and Training Centre that organizes further education for social work professionals, and Practical Education Centre that organizes work placements for students. The College cooperates with wide range of organizations including 90 local NGOs, 50 foreign social and humanitarian NGOs  in more than 40 countries, Brescia University in Kentucky, USA, Katholische Stiftungsfachhochschule München and Katholische Stiftungsfachhochschule Benediktbeuern in Germany, and many others.

Mission and Objectives

CARITAS aims to provide qualified and practically oriented education to future social work and humanitarian work professionals in order to work effectively and professionaly. It strives to teach students (1) to work with respect to basic human needs (physical, psychological, social and spiritual), (2) to develop skills and personality of service users, (3) critical thinking.

The inventive study programme was conceived on the grounds of an analysis of certain trends in social issues and current needs on the part of employers. It responds to a calling from humanitarian organisations for special and systematic preparation of humanitarian workers and the needs of institutions providing assistance to minority groups, migrants and immigrants.
Graduates are prepared for work in various types of organisations and institutions providing assistance to immigrants and minorities in the Czech Republic as well as abroad within the frame of humanitarian assistance. They are equipped with both theoretical as well as practical knowledge and skills, including stress management, necessary for the performance of these demanding professions.

Main Projects / Activities

Studying at CARITAS – College of Social Work Olomouc has an international dimension manifested in different areas – student internships abroad, teacher exchanges, attendance and participation of pedagogues at international conferences, foreign guest lectures at the college, exchange and transfer of know-how and innovations. The College cooperates with organizations in more than 40 countries across 4 continents.
CARITAS has a long term cooperation with a couple of academic partners abroad – for example Brescia University in Kentucky, USA, Bar Ilan University, Israel, Katholische Stiftungsfachhochschule München, Germany, Tbilisi State University, Georgia, etc.
The College is implementing a number of projects within the framework of international cooperation that help to finance its activities such as Erasmus+, and other projects including smaller grant projects and bilateral/multilateral agreements between organizations.
Members of staff, especially the faculty also have the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge abroad. Employees are offered internships in countries of the EU as well as other continents and teaching stays in countries of the EU as well as other continents. The College arranges participation or provide information about conferences, workshops, training seminars and European and international projects related to social and humanitarian work.

How can you contribute to the Network in your country?

CARITAS – College of Social Work Olomouc aims to educate its students in promoting inter-cultural dialogue, peaceful coexistence and respect between cultures. The students then pass on their knowledge and experience gained during the internships by means of public presentations which help to raise awarness of problems in other countries among general public.

Our students have been very involved in the crises of the last few years - whether it be during the covid pandemic or in helping people from Ukraine who have fled to the Czech Republic to escape the war. Students are also often involved outside of school in support of migrants, foreigners or minorities. The underlying objective of all of these activities is the peaceful coexistence and respect between cultures.

The contribution of CARITAS to the Network in the Czech Republic can be seen in offering a new dimension of intercultural dialogue based on its specialization of Humanitarian and Social Work. The College can also provide premises and experts from the field of development and human rights for initiatives, trainings and similar events organised by ALF. CARITAS can be the source of information for other NGOs in the Network, it can offer attractive premises right in the center of Olomouc for trainings, workshops or meeting of ALF and its members, it can share the experience and capacities gained in international mobility projects etc

Why do you want to join the ALF Network?

CARITAS – College of Social Work would like to be part of the Network which promotes the inter-cultural dialogue and mutual understanding of the Euro-Mediterranean Region and which bridges the gaps in mutual perceptions, as well as promotes diversity and coexistence since these are goals and values the College and the ALF Network share. It would also provide a unique opportunity to take part in projects, workshops and meetings with representatives of various institutions across Euro-Mediterranean Region which would expand the school’s horizons and positively effect not only its students, and staff but also the general public in Olomouc Region.

Contact (1) Full Name
Eva Kubíčková
Job Title
Deputy Director for Quality, Developement and International Cooperation
Head of the organisation
Eva Kubíčková
Contact (2) Full Name
Kateřina Opatrná
Job Title (2)
Head of Communication Department