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2024-11-28

On 28 November, the Miguel Torga Higher Institute (ISMT) hosted an open lecture on ‘Social Action in Social Security: Intervention and the Challenges of Transferring Competences’. The session was attended by Hélder Santos, social worker and director of the Social Development Unit of the Aveiro District Centre of the Social Security Institute (ISS, I.P.), who brought up a crucial issue for the future of social action in Portugal.

With a long and diverse experience in the public, private and academic sectors, Hélder Santos addressed the significant changes underway as a result of the transfer of competences in the area of social action to local authorities. This process, which redefines responsibilities between Social Security and municipalities, is transforming the landscape of social services and posing new challenges for social workers.

During his speech, the speaker stressed the importance of guaranteeing the well-being of the population and ensuring that citizens' fundamental rights are safeguarded in a context of greater decentralisation. He also emphasised the need to strengthen local support networks, promote effective coordination between the different bodies involved and mitigate potential negative impacts, especially on the most vulnerable communities.

The class, part of the Social Service, Social Security and Local Government course of the Social Work degree, coordinated by Manuel Menezes, was a privileged moment for analysing and sharing knowledge. Open to the academic community and the general public, this initiative represented a unique opportunity to debate innovative and adaptive strategies to meet the demands of this new decentralisation paradigm.

The event emphasised the commitment of social workers to contribute to a fairer, more inclusive and supportive society, while at the same time reinforcing the need for collaborative and sustained practices. With a clear and inspiring approach, Hélder Santos called for strengthening the role of social action in promoting social cohesion and respect for human rights, emphasising the importance of facing emerging challenges with a strategic and adaptive vision.

This meeting reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and critical reflection in the training of future professionals, consolidating ISMT's role as a space of excellence for training and debate on the most pressing issues in today's society.