Founders

Introduction

The Academy has two founder organisations:

Silesian Diaconia, which took the lead in researching the needs analysis and which has invested in the infrastructure and development of the Academy.

Helsinki Deaconess Institute, which has a similar profile to Silesian Diaconia and a long history of training and international work, is supporting the development of the Academy through participation and initial finance.

Helsinki Deaconess Institute is one of the co-owners of the Diaconia University of Applied Sciences (Diak) which is supporting the programme development of the Academy.

Here are the details of these organisations:

Silesian Diaconia, Czech Republic

Silesian Diaconia is a non – profit organisation based on Christian values providing services in the social and educational field.

The main aims of the organisation are

• To provide assistance to people with disabilities, to old people, homeless people and people with psychological problems
• To combat social exclusion and support social enterprise.

As well as these activities Silesian Diaconia organises leisure time activities, after school lessons and support for children and young people from a disadvantaged social and educational background in local clubs.

Silesian Diaconia is the umbrella organisation for 50 Homes and Centres. Nowadays Silesian Diaconia is involved in international projects promoting the non-formal learning of professional staff and volunteers.

Silesian Diaconia is a member of national and international umbrella organisations: EFSCW, SoCareNet, Eurodiaconia, AVSO, EAPN, EASPD, City Mission World Association, Czech Council of Children and Youth, Diaconia in the CzechRepublic, Association of Asyl Homes, etc.

If you are interested in more information, visit web pages www.slezskadiakonie.cz and www.sdfd.cz

The Foundation of Helsinki Deaconess Institute

The Foundation of the Helsinki Deaconess Institute was established in 1867 to support the Deaconess Institute and to practice Christian service by

• Training of diaconia workers
• Providing education in social welfare and health careor
• Offering health care and social welfare services especially for marginalized groups
• Furthering universal social responsibility
• Pursuing and supporting scientific research
• Maintaining other activities supporting and supplementing the above mentioned operations

Institution operates geographically in Finland, neighbouring areas to Finland and in the developing world.

The Foundation has a long history of operating in inter-regional cooperation in the developing countries, in the neighbouring areas of Finland and in Europe. Several ongoing projects have a strong aspect of networking as well as element of education and capacity building combined with practice in working life.

Example of an inter-regional project: CUAHA (Churches against HIV & AIDS in Southern and Eastern Africa). The Institute provides funding, expert facilitation, chairperson’s input and administrative assistance to the networking project. The ongoing project started in 2002 and is operating in 13 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa.

If you are interested in more information, visit web page www.hdl.fi

Programme supporter

Diaconia University of Applied Sciences

Diaconia University of Applied Sciences (Diak) offers high quality, innovative degree programmes of education and training in diaconia, media studies, nursing, sign language interpretation, social services and youth work. Diak emphasises a close relationship to practice and working life. It has four units and seven campuses located in different regions of Finland. Diak also offers master programmes in diaconia, health promotion and social services, and carries out research and development work. All Diak units are actively engaged in the specific social and health issues of their own regions. Diak has a strong involvement in international project work. Diak has over 3,000 students. Approximately 35 % of the students choose to take courses that give them dual qualifications in the fields of social work or health care, youth work, diaconal or youth work in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.
Diak values are based on Christianity, therefore, it emphasises the human dignity of each person. Diak is committed to social justice, solidarity and the empowerment of people. It aims to train people to influence social change, work for a multicultural society and fight social exclusion.

If you are interested in more information, visit web page www.diak.fi