INTEGRATION OF CIVIC EDUCATION INTO SOCIAL WORK PRACTICES

Abstract

The purpose of the article is a comprehensive analysis of experience and contemporary approaches to the integration of civic education into social work practices, the identification of effective strategies (in particular Service-Learning and R. Hart's model of participation), as well as the substantiation of opportunities for integrating civic education into social work in Ukraine, taking into account the challenges of wartime.

The methodological basis of the study is a system of interconnected approaches: competence-based (considering citizenship as an integrative quality of personality), commu­nicative-activity-based (orientation towards practical participation in social processes), personally oriented (taking into account individual and age characteristics of youth).

To achieve the stated goal, theoretical research methods were used: analysis, synthesis and generalization of scientific sources, comparative analysis of Service-Learning and R. Hart's ladder of participation.

Scientific novelty. An analysis of foreign and domestic experience of civic education in social work practices has been carried out using R. Hart's ladder of participation model as a tool for assessing the quality of youth involvement in social processes.

Conclusions. The study found that youth age is a favorable period for the formation of civic consciousness, provided that an appropriate democratic environment is created and competence-oriented approaches are used.

The analysis of foreign experience has demonstrated the effectiveness of such approaches as Service-Learning, interactive and project-based methods. Common trends include an early start of civic education and the integration of participation into various types of activities. R. Hart's ladder of participation model allows for a critical assessment of the quality of youth involvement and directs educational practices towards achieving higher levels of participation (5–8), which is the basis for the formation of genuine citizenship.

It has been established that the effectiveness of citizenship formation is ensured by creating a positive emotional environment, applying interactive and reflective methods, taking into account the age characteristics of youth, proper training of teachers and social workers, as well as the development of critical thinking and media literacy.

The social responsibility of Ukrainian youth, which manifests itself in volunteer, charitable, environmental and cultural-educational activities, is a concrete embodiment of citizenship in wartime conditions. This confirms that social education is a strategic resource for the development of society, and its integration into state youth policy creates the foundation for the formation of an active civic position among young people. The formation of citizenship and civic identity at a young age is an important factor in personal development, socialization and readiness for active participation in democratic processes.