A group of 19 new counseling assistants completed their training in Tasiilaq on Friday, the 12th. The group was formed through a collaboration between the Social Pedagogical Seminar in Ilulissat and Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq in Tasiilaq.
Collaboration Builds Local Expertise
The educational institution is headquartered in Ilulissat. The collaboration between the Social Pedagogical Seminar and Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq in Tasiilaq made it possible to run a class in Tasiilaq.
“This team demonstrates once again that it is possible to offer locally based education in Tasiilaq—and to do so at a high standard of quality and with skills that are relevant to the town,” says Gerda Fleischer, Head of the Department of Child and Family Services in Tasiilaq.
The 19 newly graduated counseling assistants have gained knowledge in social work, counseling, communication with citizens, and case management. The program qualifies them to work with social issues and provide counseling to citizens in areas such as child and family services, disability services, or with citizens facing social challenges. The group was taught by an instructor assigned for this purpose by the Social Pedagogical Seminar.
Seeds of Education Yield a Bountiful Harvest
Several decentralized educational programs have been established as local offerings in Tasiilaq through agreements with institutions located elsewhere in Greenland, to provide opportunities for education without having to move away from family and social networks. Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq views the launch of this class as an important milestone in the development of local educational opportunities in East Greenland in recent years.
“Here we see the fruits of the investment in the local community that we have been making over the past five years. We have built up an increasingly robust program to help our citizens in East Greenland improve their skills. It’s making a difference, and we look forward to continuing to develop these very rewarding educational partnership agreements on this side of the ice,” says Hjørdis Viberg, Regional Director for East Greenland.
Collaboration on decentralized education in Tasiilaq has previously resulted in locally trained psychotherapists and teaching assistants.
