26.09.2024
Around 400 family counselors and specialists from related professions such as case management in youth welfare offices, daycare counseling or psychotherapy from all federal states are currently coming together for the annual scientific conference of the Federal Conference for Educational Counseling (bke).
"Powerlessness? Encouragement! – Focus topic of the conference"
Bremen is hosting the three-day conference for the first time in over 30 years. Thematically, the conference focuses on the need for family counseling in the context of multiple stressors, under the motto "Powerlessness? Encouragement!".
Parenting advice as a seismograph for the situation of families
From a cost perspective, the services offered by educational counselling constitute a smaller part of the support services for upbringing, but they reach more families nationwide than all the others combined, said Senator for Social Affairs Dr. Claudia Schilling at the opening of the conference in the St. Stephani cultural church.
"This makes parenting advice a seismograph for the situation of families." It is often the first point of contact for parents who feel overwhelmed, but also for children and young people seeking guidance. "The staff of the parenting advice service encourage families and show them that they have the ability to cope with their problems. With professional empathy, they embark on a journey of discovery with the families and help them tap into untapped resources," said the senator.
Special feature: Commitment of the Bremen LAG Educational Counseling
On Tuesday evening, September 24, 2024, Kirsten Kreuzer, State Councillor for Social Affairs, Youth and Integration, officially welcomed the organizers and attendees of the conference on behalf of the Senate at a reception in the town hall. During this event, the State Councillor particularly commended the commitment of the Bremen State Working Group (LAG) for Educational Counseling.
“Her work is characterized by a deep understanding of the challenges that families face in our society today,” said Kirsten Kreuzer, “and by a tireless commitment to meeting these challenges with well-founded, practical solutions.”.
Federal Conference for Educational Counseling – the background
The annual scientific conference of the Federal Conference for Educational Counseling is being organized jointly with the Bremen State Association for Educational Counseling (LAG Bremen). The conference program, taking place at the St. Stephani Church and Bremen University of Applied Sciences, includes lectures on research and practice, including one by Bremen poverty researcher Dr. René Böhme, as well as various workshops, further education, and networking opportunities. The conference runs until Friday, September 27.
Finnish family therapist visits
The opening lecture will be given by Finnish family therapist Ben Furman on the topic of "The Solution-Focused Approach as a Tool for Encouragement and Empowerment." As part of the bke's cooperation with the Social Work program, students from the university will present a survey on the topic of powerlessness among Bremen families.
Source: Press Office of the Senate of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Senator for Labour, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration, Press release , 25.09.2024