6th annual TiSSA Plenum August 21 to 24, 2008 &
PreConference of the PhD-Network August 18 to 20, 2008 in Riga, Latvia
Host Institution: University of Latvia, Faculty of Social Siences



During the 6th annual meeting of The international Social Work & Society Academy (TiSSA) 2008 in Riga, Latvia, about 120 colleagues from 18 countries and 4 continents joint and initiated a livly, inspiring and critical debate.

Together with the supervisors
Prof. Dr. Marilyn Gray (The University of Newcastle, Australia),
Prof. Dr. Aija Zobena (University of Latvia, Latvia),
Prof. Dr. Nadia Kutscher (KFH NW - University of Applied Sciences Aachen, Germany),
Prof. Dr. John Clarke (The Open University, UK),
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Hans-Uwe Otto (Bielefeld University, Germany) about 60 PhD-students shared the ongoing development of social work research.
As very special element, the first class of PhD_ACT presented their final results from the Distance Learning Units. “New Models of Activism in European Social Work” (PhD_ACT) is the first international 3rd cycle module for doctoral students of social work. This module develops perspectives on European transformation processes and the resulting challenges for social work: the networked examination of ambivalences of the European process of integration is a disciplinary and professional necessity, for which the module provides an adequate and sustainable structure. The critical analysis of social and political developments and their consequences for professional social services, which are confronted with growing structural inequities and disadvantages, is situated at the centre of the module.
The subject areas of spatiality & community, cultural diversity & migration, demographic change & generations and employability & poverty form the systematic framework for the localization of progressive analytical, theoretical and practice-oriented approaches to the field of Social Work in Europe.

But PhD_ACT was not the only project, that emerged from the TiSSA network. The Plenum also discussed the two open-access online journals Social Work & Society and the SW&S News Magazine. Finally, the plenum joined the launch of TiSSA.AP, the sister network "The International Study of Society Academy (Asia-Pacific)" founded by the Institute of Advanced Study for Humanity of the University of Newcastle, Australia.

Moreover, researchers, politicians and practicioners from the social services faced the challenge of uncertainty as professional, academic as well as educational task to advance social work agenda. During 5 different field visits, Latvian colleagues presented approaches to cope the difficulties of social work politics, power and practice in different field of action in public and non-governmental organisations.

Besides all the intensive debate, TiSSA 2008 was a wonderful meeting point for colleagues from all over the world - and an inspiring starting point for the furture advancement of TiSSA after the celebration of TiSSA's 5th anniversary a year before.

Thanks to all participants and to the Riga team: let's go ahead!