Another year has gone by. Our team has grown and we are particularly proud of our graduates who have successfully completed the 'internationally recognised additional qualification Snoezelen' and who now use their expertise to enrich treatment and therapy programs in their facilities and institutions. We have taken a lot of time to reform the training program. Have a look at our homepage ->> Calendar .In the upcoming weeks further information and details will be added.
The responsibilities of the board have been distributed and everybody can count on one another.
Training events have been well received. Other countries, especially Korea and Japan, also draw on scientifically substantiated practical concepts. The exchange with professionals from all over the world encourages us to continue to take culture-specific factors into consideration und to modify familiar concepts. The classification
"free Snoezelen"
and
"directed Snoezelen"
is recognised whereby "directed Snoezelen" has proven to be successful as "pedagogical support measure" as well as "therapeutic support measure". For many nurseries and schools the intensification of learning in a Snoezelen room is of particular interest. This new concept is increasingly practiced.
We will rise to the social challenges. Snoezelen with its appealing spatial conditions and motivating learning methods offers itself:
- to implement the fixed demands of the "Salamanca statement" (1994) for inclusive education
- to improve the quality of life for the elderly - especially people with dementia. But not only the people affected by the illness but also the people around them will profit from the restorative and invigorating atmosphere. (This year's symposium in Karlstadt am Main from the 18th to the 20th of October 2013 gave participants an idea of the significant tasks ahead (report available from the 15.12.2013)
- to let rest and relaxation become an integral part of everyday life of each individual
By now we have 70 paying members and twice as many interested parties asking for help and information but unaware of the high costs involved in the international work of the association. The "International Snoezelen Association ISNA -Snoezelen professional e.V." is a registered association. The tax office has confirmed the non-profit status of the association's statues.
For next year we hope you will remain loyal to us and our cause. There will be as smaller symposium (probably in Berlin) aimed particularly at people who don't want to or cannot travel far. ISNA's international Snoezelen congress "Exploring Oriental Sensory Wonderland" takes place from the 3rd to the 5th of October 2014 in Seoul, Korea. Details about the congress will be published on the homepage at the beginning of 2014.
On behalf of the association I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.
May it be filled with good health, inspiration and joy.
Sincerely
Your
Prof. Dr. Krista Mertens
