Training advocacy skills and political consciousness
Education shapes the future and therefore, it’s essential especially for higher education to follow the development trends of society. We had the opportunity to visit University of Cincinnati for a week to get familiar with social work and nursing education in Ohio. The current political situation in the US strongly affects students and professors and their future possibilities to support clients and patients.
View over the City of Cincinnati, Ohio.
During the week, we participated in several meetings, field visits and gave lectures. The students had a great interest in learning about Nordic welfare and reflected upon the similarities and differences between our systems. Especially, tax-financed free education and health care in the Nordic countries were admired. In the US, the most common reason for individual bankruptcy is medical bills that the patients can’t pay.
One of the days included a trip to Columbus, the state capital, where we took part in a social work event for a thousand Ohio students. The subject of the day was advocacy. The students were trained in how to be the voice of clients most in need. Firstly, students got information about upcoming changes in national and state legislation due to the country’s new administration. Secondly, they met in smaller groups to prepare and learn how to be an effective advocate and make an impact. Finally, they had the opportunity to meet and discuss with state senators or their assistants.
Advocacy Day in Columbus for social work students
Once more, we were reminded of the importance of social and health care professionals to stand up for those most in need of assistance and support, people with health challenges, disabilities, or lack social skills and support. This is one of the core competencies that we need to empathise also in the Nordics, where the gap between the privileged and those who have nearly nothing is increasing.
The ethics in healthcare and social work emphasize helping people in vulnerable situations and those with an urgent need for support and care. Welfare professionals are often the last and only representatives for persons lacking resources to speak up for themselves. Social and healthcare education shouldn’t overlook this important task. Society changes quickly, and political power can switch in a moment. Therefore, we must prepare the students better in advocacy, so they are ready whenever needed.
Thank you, University of Cincinnati, fellow professors and students, for this reminder.
Texten har granskats och godkänts av Novias redaktionsråd 22.4.2025.
