8.11.2007
A network-based method helps prevent exclusion of children and young people in St. Petersburg
An effective network-based method has been created in St. Petersburg for preventing the exclusion of children and young people. A development project by the Finnish International Development Collaboration at STAKES has resulted in a recommendation that provides a common method for work with children and young people.
The new method has a good chance of becoming an established practice as no additional resources are needed to use it. The intention is to use the method in continuing education and training for teachers and other school staff in St. Petersburg.
STAKES has been implementing a project on the prevention of exclusion among children and young people in the Nevsky district of St. Petersburg in 2005–2007. The project has co-operated closely with Stellit, a local NGO. It involved three Nevsky schools with their staff, the education, social, health and police authorities of the Nevsky district and the City of St. Petersburg, and NGO representatives.
The project made use of the methods of early intervention developed in an earlier STAKES project in Finland. The tools are based on the principle of responding to problems as early as possible and co-operation between those working with children and young people.
The exclusion of children and young people is an increasingly severe problem in St. Petersburg and Russia at large. Frequently problems are not tackled early enough to avoid their aggravation and accumulation. When problems occur, emphasis is often placed on children's or young persons' individual responsibility and they may be punished for example by dismissing them from school.
The recommendation on the prevention of exclusion among children and young people in St. Petersburg will be published in English at STAKES and in Russian in St. Petersburg.
The project has been funded by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the appropriations for neighbouring area co-operation.
The press conference will be held on 13 November 2007 at 13.30 hrs at
Finland´s Consulate General in St.Petersburg, Russia. Address:
Preobrazhenskaja pl. 4, 191028 St. Petersburg D-194.
Additional information:
Minna Sinkkonen, Project Manager, STAKES, International Development Collaboration, phone +358 50 380 7996, e-mail: minna.sinkkonen(at)stakes.fi
Communications Officer Anne Rissanen, STAKES, International Development Collaboration, phone +358 50 372 6606, e-mail: anne.rissanen(at)stakes.fi
The National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES) is an expert agency in the field of social welfare and health care in Finland.
International Development Collaboration at STAKES is a non-profit, expert organisation specialising in health and social sector development. Please, see the web site http://idc.stakes.fi