Name: Anna Maria Antonios

Nationality: Lebanese

Countries where you have worked or studied
Work: Lebanon/Syria/Yemen/Palestine/Saudi Arabia/ Jordan/Iraq
Study: Lebanon/UK/Denmark/Poland/Portugal/France

Universities and qualifications before ADVANCES:
BA Social Work and Psychology

Previous professional experience/Fields of social work practice:
I have coordinated projects on Psycho Social Support (PSS), Child Protection (CP) and Education programmes in Syria and have worked as a Trainer and consultant (both in-person and remotely) on CP, PSS methodologies and self-care. These experiences were undertaken in affected areas of conflict under War Child Holland, Lapis Communications and UNICEF projects. In addition, I held an Educational Entrepreneurship Coordinator position (Community Development) in the Arab World at the UN - International Labour Organization (ILO) where I contributed to project management, assisted in trainings and oversaw implementation in: Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.

Three things that you most value about the ADVANCES programme

1. Friendships
2. Inter-cultural and International Exchanges
3. Experiencing life in 5 different EU countries

Message for other social workers thinking about applying for a place on ADVANCES:
If you are a passionate social worker wanting to expand your knowledge on an international level, this programme is the right fit. It takes courage and commitment to embark on a journey like this, and although it is not easy, what you take from it is worth it.

Web links to any blog, project or profile that you would like to include:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-maria-antonios-071816109/ 

Topic of research project:
Support workers’ experiences of utilizing a self-care framework for Mental Health and Psycho Social Support in Syria

Where were you based for Semester 4?
Lincoln

Current position and place of work:
Psycho Social Support Advisor – Syria Program // War Child Holland

Any other jobs since graduating ADVANCES:

• Protection Trainer Consultant - Social and Behavioral Change Communications
• Strategy (SBCC) that addresses Violence Against Children, Child Labor and
• Child Marriage in Lebanon  // Magenta Consulting

Name: Panagiota Kortomaniti

Nationality: Greek

Countries where you have worked or studied:
Manchester-UK, Lincoln-UK, Aalborg-Denmark, Lisbon-Portugal, Nanterre-France, Greece

Universities and qualifications before ADVANCES:

• Technological Educational Institute of Athens, Greece
• Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care ( Adults) for England, Diploma
• Current-after Advances, College for Humanistic Sciences - ICPS European
• Certificate of Psychotherapy, Person Centred Approach in Psychotherapy

Previous professional experience/Fields of social work practice:

• Trainee Social Worker in Women , The National Centre for Social (Solidarity (EKKA) ,Athens, Greece (2006-2007)
• Social Worker (internship) UMHRI (University Mental Health Research Institute), Greece (2007-2008)
• Hospice Social Worker in Women, Hospital 'Elena Venizelou', Athens, Greece (2009-2010)
• Mental Health Support Worker in Youth/Adults, Creative Support Manchester (2012-2013)
• Mental Health Support Worker in Youth/Adults, Future Directions in Manchester (2013-2014)
• Case Manager/ Child Protection Social Worker in (UAC), Save the Children International, Athens, Greece (2016-2017)
• (PSS) Psychosocial Support Officer in Refugee/Migrant Women, ActionAid Hellas, Greece (2018)
• Community Centre Senior Officer at Epikentro (Adults), ActionAid Hellas, Greece 2018
• International Rescue Committee (IRC), Child Protection Case Worker for UAC/UASC (2018)

Three things that you most value about the ADVANCES programme

1. The intercultural experience
2. The development of our critical thinking
3. The high standards of knowledge and education in the universities

Message for other social workers thinking about applying for a place on ADVANCES:
Dear colleagues,
This Global Masters it was the most precious experience I had the last years and I am glad I participated. If you are looking for an international aspect on social work practices, you want to broaden your experiences and be in an intercultural environment, this is the right masters for you. The people you will meet, the universities in which you will study and the travels will open a new world in front.
Enjoy it!

Web links to any blog, project or profile that you would like to include:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/panagiota-k-69550a3b 

Topic of research project:
The voices of social workers in the integration of refugee children and families.‘A comparative perspective, Greece and Portugal

Where were you based for Semester 4?
In Portugal-Lisboa

Current position and place of work:
International Rescue Committee (IRC) Child Protection Case Worker for UAC/UASC

Any other jobs since graduating ADVANCES:

• Case Manager/ Child Protection Social Worker in (UAC), Save the Children International
• (PSS) Psychosocial Support Officer in Refugee/Migrant Women, Action Aid Hellas
• Community Centre Senior Officer at Epikentro (Adults), Action Aid Hellas

Name: Tinatin Tsertsvadze 

Nationality: Georgian

Countries where you have worked or studied:
Georgia, Latvia, UK, Denmark, Portugal and Poland

Universities and qualifications before ADVANCES:

• Master of Social Work, Tbilisi Ivane Javakhishvili State University, Georgia
• Bachelor of Social and Political sciences with a concentration on Journalism

Previous professional experience/Fields of social work practice:

• Primarily worked in the justice system of Georgia as a frontline social worker and Senior Specialist. Was involved in the development of rehabilitation programs for probationers and diverted juveniles.
• Worked as a project assistant in the NGO sector to increase CSOs’ visibility and promote better communication with the public.

Three things that you most value about the ADVANCES programme

1. Global perspective
2. Diversity
3. Opportunity to acquire transferrable skills

Message for other social workers thinking about applying for a place on ADVANCES:
If you are interested in exploring various social work issues in a more international and diverse environment, this is the program to apply for.  An inspiring team of professionals from around the world, wonderful group of teachers and tutors will support you to take your knowledge and practice to the next level!

Topic of research project
Radical social work in contemporary society – cases of activism and advocacy-oriented practices in selected Polish civil society organisations

Where were you based for Semester 4?
Warsaw, Poland

Current position and place of work:
TBC

Any other jobs since graduating ADVANCES:
Various part-time jobs helping foreign companies and organisations to communicate with the Georgian public, including translating jobs, accompanying donor organisations in the field visits and facilitating different meetings.

Name: Laura Torriani 

Nationality: Italian

Countries where you have worked or studied:
Ecuador, England, Denmark, Portugal

Universities and qualifications before ADVANCES:
Degree in Social Services – Università Politecnica delle Marche – Giorgio Fuà

Previous professional experience/Fields of social work practice:
Social workers with street-related-children, in Ecuador.

Three things that you most value about the ADVANCES programme:

1. Openness
2. Dynamism
3. Critical Thinking

Message for other social workers thinking about applying for a place on ADVANCES:
Be ready to reflect, accept, criticize, put into discussion…and start again, again and again every “dogma” you have as a national social workers. 

After Advances, I chose to come back to Italy, closer to my family:
What is great about Advances, is that it helps you to develop skills, which can be used both, in international context but also in your own country. In fact, it gives you the chance to go back to work with a new mind-set, which can truly support your professionality and help you to develop a mindfulness, reflective and creative approach.

Topic of research project:
Youth participation in social work in marginalized areas

Where were you based for Semester 4?
Aalborg

Current position and place of work:
Social worker in Child Protection, in Sassuolo – Italy.

Any other jobs since graduating ADVANCES:

• Social worker with asylum seekers, in Modena – Italy
• Social workers in the public system in Modena - Italy

Name: Binbin Wang 

Nationality: Chinese

Countries where you have worked or studied:
China, United Kingdom, Denmark, Portugal, Poland

Universities and qualifications before ADVANCES:
Sun Yat-Sen University (China), Bachelor in Social Work

Previous professional experience/Fields of social work practice:
Experience of frontline work with children and older people, project coordination, as well as service management.

Three things that you most value about the ADVANCES programme

1. The intellectually stimulating content
2. The teaching approach
3. The idea of critical thinking throughout the whole programme

Message for other social workers thinking about applying for a place on ADVANCES:
Embrace diversity, enjoy the journey and be ready for a change!

Topic of research project:Hearing the Unheard: Examining Social:
Support Service from the Adolescent Mothers’ Perspective

Where were you based for Semester 4?
Warsaw, Poland

Current position and place of work:
Director of Communication and Resource Management, Dongguan Dazhong Social Work Service Center (China)

Any other jobs since graduating ADVANCES:
Project Manager, Huayi Brothers Foundation (China)

Name: Silindile Nanzile Mlilo 

Nationality: Botswana

Countries where you have worked or studied:
Botswana, South Africa, India, England, Denmark, Portugal & France

Universities and qualifications before ADVANCES:

• Bachelor of Social Work 
• Masters of Arts in Human Rights, both from the University of Fort Hare (South Africa)

Previous professional experience/Fields of social work practice:
My professional experience is largely based in Botswana, South Africa and India. I have been involved in several voluntary and work positions where I have offered my research skills on refugee issues and engaged in community development projects aimed at empowering youth and children from underprivileged backgrounds.

Three things that you most value about the ADVANCES programme

1. The opportunity to be exposed to different social work systems and best practice approaches in the countries of study.
2. Studying with social work professionals from different countries which exposed me to knowledge on different social work interventions that are applied in other contexts and most importantly the space to learn from other colleague’s experiences.
3. The friendly, supportive and yet very informative and critically challenging academic environment we were exposed to by our ADVANCES lecturers.

Message for other social workers thinking about applying for a place on ADVANCES:
The ADVANCES program is a great opportunity to deepen your knowledge on social work issues while developing skills to design international intervention strategies that relate to the challenges of local communities. This is a great opportunity to grow both academically and personally.

Web links to any blog, project or profile that you would like to include:
http://www.xenowatch.ac.za/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/silindile-nanzile-mlilo-8b608184/ 

Topic of research project:
Support Services for unemployed youth of Migrant Origin in France: French Perspectives on Policy and Practice

Where were you based for Semester 4?:
Universite Paris Ouest Nanterre La Defense

Current position and place of work:

• PHD Candidate (Migration & Displacement) 
• Xenowatch Project Manager both at the African Centre for Migration & Society, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa

Any other jobs since graduating ADVANCES:

• IDEX Fellow – Ashoka Innovators for the Public, Bangalore, India (Jan 2016 – Aug 2016)
• Programme Officer – Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation, Gaborone Botswana (Sept 2016 – March 2018)

Name: John Ddembe

Nationality: Ugandan

Countries where you have worked or studied:
Ethiopia and Kenya

Universities and qualifications before ADVANCES:

• Uganda Martyrs’ University – Bachelors of Arts with Education
• Kampala International University – Masters of Arts in Development Studies

Previous professional experience/Fields of social work practice:
I previously worked as a community development consultant in Somalia and Ethiopia. This entailed inter alia; community mapping, conducting baseline surveys, needs assessment, psycho-socio support, protection and livelihood programming, monitoring and evaluation.

Three things that you most value about the ADVANCES programme:

1. Diversity of the Programme
2. International perspectives to social work
3. The networking possibilities that it creates – Awesome!

Message for other social workers thinking about applying for a place on ADVANCES:
With the ADVANCES programme, social work comes to life again as one is challenged to reflect and rethink social work strategy.

Topic of research project:
An analysis of older people's experiences and conceptualizations of community to promote well-being in Warsaw, Poland

Where were you based for Semester 4?
Warsaw

Current position and place of work:

• Social Research Consultant – Great lakes Centre for Research, Kampala, Uganda.
• Private Business manager, Kampala, Uganda.

Any other jobs since graduating ADVANCES:

• Smart Vision Consultancy – Programme Consultant, Nairobi, Kenya
• Medicines du Monde, Programme manager,  Nairobi, Kenya

Name: George Sichone

Nationality: Zambian

Countries where you have worked or studied:
Zambia, India

Universities and qualifications before ADVANCES
University of Zambia – Bachelor of Social Work

Previous professional experience/Fields of social work practice:
George worked in the Health and HIV/AIDS areas for 6 years before joining the 1st Advances Cohort in 2013. George was responsible for project design, implementation and M&E for both public and private health intervention. In this regard, George undertook direct interventions with Orphans and Vulnerable Children, People living with HIV, TB and other Key Populations. George also provided direct capacity building to individuals and institutions implementing in health and social development interventions.     

Three things that you most value about the ADVANCES programme:

1. A unique hybrid of social Work learning and experience from participating Universities.  
2. Cross Cultural and critical thinking on key development issues
3. International research experience

Message for other social workers thinking about applying for a place on ADVANCES:
Advances provide an expert driven Social Work development. A collaborative approach between academics with world-class expertise and student participation, gives an opportunity to understand problems, find solution and practice. This program provides a balance between technical analysis, critical thinking and problem solving. Hands-on practice research experience in contemporary issues around human development is also gained.  

Web links to any blog, project or profile that you would like to include:
http://priminnovations.simplesite.com/437526272 

Topic of research project:
Pathways to health care for Children and family wellbeing: Implications for Statutory Social Work Practice. The case of Bielany Social Welfare Centre - Poland

Where were you based for Semester 4?:
Warsaw Poland

Current position and place of work:
Technical Advisor – Health Programs (ChildFund International) February, 2018 to date.

Any other jobs since graduating ADVANCES:

• Co-Founder (Participatory Research and Innovations Management (PRIM-Zambia)  
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Manager (Voluntary Services Overseas). – November, 2015 to November, 2017.
• Consultant and Researcher (University of Zambia) – 2015 to date – Currently Project Manager for the (£ 136,000) Operational Research on Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention Program (MMDP) 2018 – 2019 Funded by DfiD.

Name: Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan 

Nationality: Bangladeshi

Countries where you have worked or studied:
Bangladesh, UK, Denmark, Portugal, France, Poland

Universities and qualifications before ADVANCES:
BSS (Honours), MSS and MPhil In Social Welfare, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Previous professional experience/Fields of social work practice:

• A full-time teacher of Social Work at National University, Bangladesh.
• Volunteered for Sign language Users at Society for the Deaf and Sign Language Users (SDSL), Dhaka, Bangladesh

Three things that you most value about the ADVANCES programme

• An opportunity to study at five universities in Europe.  
• Independent research work at the 4th Semester
• Superb support from the coordination team

Message for other social workers thinking about applying for a place on ADVANCES:
If you are keen to learn the diversities in Social Work and work in a diverse environment – ADVANCES is the only programme for you.

Topic of research project
Social Workers’ Perspective on Involvement of Children in Child Residential Care Institution – the Case of Skovbrynet

Where were you based for Semester 4?
University of Aalborg, Denmark

Current position and place of work
Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, National University, Gazipur

Any other jobs since graduating ADVANCES:
No

Name: Jitjuta Panjasuwan

Nationality: Thai

Countries where you have worked or studied:
Thailand, Tanzania, England, Denmark, France, Portugal, Poland, Australia, Wales

Universities and qualifications before ADVANCES:
Bachelor Degree of Social Work

Previous professional experience/Fields of social work practice:
Refugees, Casework, Communication with Children,  Child Safeguarding, Child Protection, International Parental Child Abduction

Three things that you most value about the ADVANCES programme

1. Social Work Knowledge
2. Human Rights Approaches
3. Academic Independence

Message for other social workers thinking about applying for a place on ADVANCES:
It’s academic but incredibly fun.

Topic of research project:
Action Research: Play for Refugee and Asylum-seeking Children

Where were you based for Semester 4?
Warsaw

Current position and place of work:
Pro Consul and Child Safeguarding Expert at the British Embassy Bangkok

Any other jobs since graduating ADVANCES:
-

Name: Gashaye Melaku Tefera 

Nationality: Ethiopian

Countries where you have worked or studied:
Ethiopia, USA and ADVANCES countries (UK, Denmark, Poland, Portugal, France)

Universities and qualifications before ADVANCES:

• MSW, Addis Ababa University
• BA in Sociology, University of Gondar
• Previous professional experience/Fields of social work practice

Gashaye has vast experience in the non-profit sector in Ethiopia where he developed and managed various projects focusing on women empowerment, education, human rights, and reproductive health.  He also worked as a lecturer at Jimma and Ambo Universities. Besides his professional career, Gashaye is a songwriter.

Three things that you most value about the ADVANCES programme:

1. Its balanced approach towards global-local practice
2. Its timely courses and supportive professors
3. The experience with diverse groups and countries

Message for other social workers thinking about applying for a place on ADVANCES:
If you aspire to be a global social worker who is also in touch with local realities and perspectives, ADVANCES is the right place to be.

Sample Project: https://www.newsecuritybeat.org/pavingtheway/ 

Personal Blog: https://yenenardos.wixsite.com/gashayemelaku 

Topic of research project:
Towards Culturally Relevant Social Work Practice: Combating Gender Based Violence Among Refugees In Ethiopia

Where were you based for Semester 4?
Denmark

Current position and place of work:
Atlas Corps Fellow at United Way Worldwide, Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Name: Jordanne Edwards 

Nationality: Jamaican

Countries where you have worked or studied:
Jamaica, Canada, England, Denmark, Poland (summer school), Portugal and France.

Universities and qualifications before ADVANCES:

• BA in Social Work: The University of the West Indies (Generalist social work framework)
• Ryerson University (studied for a year on an academic exchange programme- Anti-Oppressive social work framework)

Previous professional experience/Fields of social work practice:
I previously worked in Human Rights development and sustainability in Jamaica- focusing primarily on advocacy and activism strategies and programmes for minority groups (LGBT people, vulnerable youth etc.)  and more recently have worked on a more international platform with victims of human trafficking from Nigeria, seeking asylum in France.

Three things that you most value about the ADVANCES programme

1. Family oriented: Advances is a close knit community. The members of my cohort are like family to me. Because we moved so frequently, we became each others’ home and that provided great solace throughout the inevitably challenging moments but in the good times as well.
2. The endemic international perspective of the programme both theoretically and structurally was intellectually stimulating. Learning at each of the consortium universities provided first hand insights into the respective cultures and approaches to practice. Discussing and debating social work topics with colleagues from 12 different backgrounds and cultures was also mind opening and very educational.
3. It strengthened my sense criticality as a social worker. I am more knowledgeable of a wide range of topics that inform international social work and I am able to assess both social problems and the approaches used to tackle them, with greater depth and analysis.

Message for other social workers thinking about applying for a place on ADVANCES:
ADVANCES is a formative and unprecedented social work programme. Concurrently, International social work is a growing and much needed branch of our profession. Regardless of who you are or where you come from, you undoubtedly have a valid and unique contribution to bring to the table.

Web links to any blog, project or profile that you would like to include:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanne-edwards-64b4168b/

Topic of research project:
Social Work with vulnerable communities: Towards an emerging model of social healing in trauma-based community practice.

Where were you based for Semester 4?
Paris

Current position and place of work:
Paris, TBC soon J

Any other jobs since graduating ADVANCES:
N/A

Name: Niroshan Ramachandran

Nationality: Sri Lankan

Countries where you have worked or studied:
Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, Denmark and Portugal

Universities and qualifications before ADVANCES:
Bachelor of Social Work, National Institute of Social Development, Sri Lanka

Previous professional experience/Fields of social work practice:
Programme Support Officer, ZOA International - worked with IDPs in their post war resettlement and reintegration in Sri Lanka

Three things that you most value about the ADVANCES programme

1. Course structure
2. Contents
3. Different teaching approaches

Topic of research project:
Workers Perception and Practice in Working with Refugees – Enablers and Constraints

Where were you based for Semester 4?
University of Lincoln

Current position and place of work:
PhD Candidate/Graduate Teaching Assistant, Edge Hill University

Any other jobs since graduating ADVANCES:

• Consultant, Catholic Relief Services, Sri Lanka
• Project Coordinator, International Organisation for Migration – UN Migration Agency, Sri Lanka

Name: Dalia Sarah Mutale 

Nationality: Zambian

Countries where you have worked or studied:
ZAMBIA, UNITED KINGDOM,DENMARK and PORTUGAL

Universities and qualifications before ADVANCES:
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK (UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA)

Previous professional experience/Fields of social work practice:

• Assistant lecturer (University of Zambia)
• Duties: Conducting and facilitating tutorial sessions for first and second year social work students.

Three things that you most value about the ADVANCES programme:

1. Exposure to various ways in which social work is practiced in different contexts in different countries.
2. The opportunity to study social work in different countries is absolutely the driving motivation to enroll onto the ADVANCES programme in order to gain a deeper insight into the social work profession.
3. All the ADVANCES modules are up to date, focusing on current social issues which helps the students to understand and analyze social issues adequately.

Message for other social workers thinking about applying for a place on ADVANCES:
ADVANCES is the best choice to advance your social work career. It  will enhance your skills to tackle complex social issues as well as enable you to look at social issues in a different light.

Topic of research project:
Empowerment Through Social Entrepreneurship: Social Work Practice With Ethnic Minority Women.

Where were you based for Semester 4?
Lisbon, Portugal (Instituto Superior  de Ciencias Sociais e Politicas)

Current position and place of work:
- 

Any other jobs since graduating ADVANCES:
-

Name: Claudia Di Matteo

Nationality: Italian

Countries where you have worked or studied:

• I worked and studied in Italy, Horn of Africa - MONA Area, and France.
• I studied also in England (Lincoln), Denmark (Aalborg), and Portugal (Lisbon).

Universities and qualifications before ADVANCES:

• 2013 - University of Rome La Sapienza, Faculty of Sociology and Social Sciences – Qualification : M2 in Management and Evaluation of Public Policies and Social Services
• 2010 - University of Rome La Sapienza, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology – Qualification:  Bachelor in Social Work

Previous professional experience/Fields of social work practice:

• 2014 - Social Worker and Junior Project Manager. Field: Capacity Building and Sustainable Local Development –Djibouti – Horn of Africa.
• 2015 - Community Social Worker. Field of practice: Migrations and Social Inclusion – Florence – Italy.

Three things that you most value about the ADVANCES programme

1. Melting pot
2. Debating with my classmates and the PBL
3. Travelling around Europe

Message for other social workers thinking about applying for a place on ADVANCES:
Advances Programme is a life change experience. It means mostly change our mind-set, critically reflect on our own perspectives and beliefs and finally embrace a new social work identity.

Web links to any blog, project or profile that you would like to include:
www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-di-matteo-91aaa9106 

Topic of research project:
Title “The internationalization of Social Work. Emerging discourses from the Erasmus Mundus Advances Programme”

Where were you based for Semester 4?
Paris – University of Nanterre

Current position and place of work:

• Senior Social Worker Department of Mental Health – EPSM Marne – France.
• PhD Candidate, University of Paris Nanterre (processing).

Any other jobs since graduating ADVANCES:

• Senior Social Worker – Case Worker. Refugees and Asylum seekers technical and administrative support 
• Technical support in International cases of resettlement – France.