A Concept of the Development of a Prevention System and the Education of Specialists in the Prevention of Risky Behaviors in Children and the Youth in Western Ukraine

Abstract

The goal of the article is to present an applied research project which sets an example of best practice in international academic cooperation for building an evidence-based prevention system in Western Ukraine. As a neighboring country, Poland is open to sharing its experience and achievements in attaining effective systematic solutions regarding alcohol and drug issues, which is of interest to Ukraine and is confirmed by the execution of the presented project, realized in cooperation with the academic staff of the Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University. The aim of the project is to develop a conceptual and educational module for courses preparing students for prevention work with children and the youth. The project was implemented by a team from the Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, which has over twenty years of experience in preparing social educators for the implementation of preventive tasks. The article contains the empirical foundation, the need for the fulfillment of the project, the descriptions of its goals, subject, method of action and implementation stages. It discusses the difficulties encountered at the design and implementation stages, and the final results.