Workplan for the period 2017-2019
STANDING COMMITTEE on Community Psychology
WORK PLAN for the period 2017-2019
Introduction
Community Psychology (CP)goes beyond an individual focus and integrates social, cultural, economic, political and environmental influences to promote positive change, health and empowerment at individual and systemic levels(SCRA, 2017).
CP aims to link scientific knowledge and community based tacit knowing to facilitate community building and social innovation. Recent developments in the field have demonstrated the need to integrate knowledge about community building and social innovation both from a scientific perspective and from the perspective of the practical experience of the community( Stark, 2017).
The overall aim of this SC was formulated by the Task force and developed during the previous work plan; To systematize the science-based knowledge and tools. To develop teaching programs on community research and action and to develop an integrative competence model.
According to the previous Work plan updated in 2015, the SC has gathered information about ongoing CP research, training and practice from 13 European Universities (Roehrle, 2015). A survey of institutions and experts on community research and action in Europe was administered by ECPA.
A preliminary literature-based survey on competencies for community building and social innovation was analyzed by the Task Force on Community Psychology.
A survey on BA/MA-programs on Community Research and Action in Europe, was continued by the SC on Community Psychology during 2015-17. We have provided a description of the Professional Competencies and an overview of definitions of CP as basis for these competencies.
Results from the 3 surveys indicate that there is a wide range of science based knowledge and community based knowing in European higher education institutions(HEI).
The Key Note on CP presented at the ECP in Amsterdam, demonstrated that CP research is closely linked to evidence based knowledge relevant to the social policies to end homelessness in Europe (Ornelas, 2017).
At the 6th International Conference on Community Psychology in Durban 2016, the SC presented a poster describing the ongoing collaboration between Ecpa/ EFPA (Degirmencioglu, 2016) We are reaching a turning point in the way our SC works and drawing on the resources of an established European Network of Community Psychologists( ENCP/ Ecpa).
CP in the future will promote social justice using new formats, involving service users and students, public health workers, creative work shops, visiting local projects and artistic events. This will in turn foster and improve social and psychological wellbeing, and by doing so, improve social innovation.
The Work Plan was based on recommendations from the EC to the GA in Amsterdam, July 2017, containing suggestions about;
- how the general recommendations will be followed
- how to develop a description of core competencies to develop a model for CP training in Europe, based on results from the survey
- initiate a Knowledge Alliance in collaboration between Institutions and Universities teaching CP at graduate and postgraduate levels
- consultation of the Board of Educational Affairs regarding the above-mentioned issues;
- how to develop and strengthen the position and role of Community Psychology research in Europe;
- how to facilitate and support collaboration between SC and EFPA Associate member Ecpa
work plan details
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Work plan |
Activities |
Time |
Member |
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By setting up working groups, with a committed plan and time schedule to report back Collecting input from new members, and sharing work plans with other EFPA bodies |
Working period from 2017 - 19 |
Nicholas
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|
The Survey will be published as an EFPA Report describing the professional competencies as a basis for CP training in Europe. Referring to critical perspectives on CP teaching (Akhurst et al. 2016) and new innovative approaches ( Stark, 2017) |
Prepare report for the next SC meeting |
Bernd Nicholas |
|
Complete an Application based on the needs analysis for linking community based and academic knowledge on community building and social innovation. Meeting the deadline for Horizon 2020 funding. |
Prepare Application in accordance with the Horizon 2020 goals |
Wolfgang & team |
|
Contact Bruna Zani to be invited at our BPS European semester meeting in UK,
|
Spring 2018 |
Nicholas and Wolfgang Group |
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d,1. To develop cooperation with other Boards on common issues, sharing work plans, to establish interest groups using “work space” technology |
Consult other Boards and Associations within Prevention, Health Psychology, Environmental Psychology, Critical- and Political Psychology. Meetings with the Board of Prevention and Intervention, and contacts with the TF on Cultural and Ethnic Diversity. Network with other relevant Boards and Committees to note areas where guidelines and areas of joint work are needed.
|
April meeting in Bergen,
meeting in Brussels, Meeting with other Boards 2017- 19 |
Nicholas |
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e. how to develop and strengthen the position and role of Community Psychology Research in Europe
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Cooperate with the European Community Psychology Association in planning the next ECCP Conference |
2017- 18 |
Rebecca In collaboration with Ecpa |
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Set up a Joint Action Plan with the Work Plan, and coordinate activities according to this. Plan for joint events such as CP summer schools and conference. |
Summer 2018 |
Nicholas in collaboration with Ecpa |
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Implementation;
The SC will need to improve communications between CP working groups and aim to develop links to other CP related websites.
Efpa is working to set up new communication platform, such as the Workspace and the SC will try to use this. One of the means to strengthen CP in Europe is by using efficient ways of communicating. Wolfgang will as Ecpa representative, be reporting from activities in our group back to the Ecpa. CP is becoming an emerging discipline in many Efpa member countries, and members have underlined the importance of spreading Cp in basic Psychology training at Higher Educational Institutions.
The group is working to establish a network of national CP contact persons from all EFPA member countries, with a mandate to coordinate activities requested by the SC. Members are travelling to Eastern Europe, to attend National Conferences as invited guest. We have been successful in recruiting a new SC member from Ukraine.
Others will continue to connect internationally and keep in touch with colleagues who are interested in Co- organizing CP events and Summer schools.
The Knowledge Alliance collaborative work has proved useful in building a future European standard of training in CP. We are looking at the Horizon 2020 as an alternative ambition for this period, and have ambitions to apply for EU funding for a project on innovative approaches to teaching.
The overlap between ECPA with SC members has proved to be successful as some parts of our working plans have similar goals. The groups Ecpa representative will collaborate towards the Ecpa president, and facilitate coordinating activities. In conclusion we have a two –way strategy; to increase collaboration with Ecpa( European CP network) and to approach the wider network of Efpa member countries to disseminate Cp in Europe. Our general vision for the years to come will also illustrate the need for a long term strategy of implementing CP into practical changes on the ground;
“we are concerned about the issues of poverty, homelessness, migration and the unequal distribution of health. In order to meet these challenges, we need to share our knowledge across Efpa bodies to work more effectively.
Our aim is to influence EU policies in more efficient ways than we have in the past acting alone as an Efpa SC. We will demonstrate what psychology in general and CP in particular can do to change society and make Europe a better place to live. Community Psychology has added value and competencies for all psychologists and other professions. We can together strengthen communities and work on a political scale to overcome the most urgent issues of our time.”
SC on Community Psychology - Members 2017-19
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EC LIAISON |
Tor Levin Hofgaard |
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Germany |
Bernd Röhrle |
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Italy |
Caterina Arcidiacono |
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Norway |
Nicholas Carr © |
|
Norway |
Borrik Schjodt |
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Portugal |
José Henrique Pinheiro Ornelas |
|
Spain |
Expected new nomination |
|
Switzerland |
Johann Krempels |
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Turkey |
Serdar Degirmencioglu |
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United Kingdom |
Rebecca Lawthom |
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Latvia |
Mara Vidnere |
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Ukraine |
Olga Pletka |
|
ECPA |
Wolfgang Stark |
|
© = convenor |
|
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Italic = Corresponding member |
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TOTAL |
12 |
|
TOTAL Active |
7 |
|
Total Corresponding |
5 |