Development of Educational Activity of the Social Center in Modern Russia

A modern social center provides qualified support for people who have difficulties with full inclusion into social life at various levels. Today, however, change in the activities of social centers is observed due to change in Russia's social and cultural space. The paper examines the problem of change in their traditional activities in relation to the specific character of the institution kind. The paper gives a classification according to the criteria of "organization extent"; "form of ownership"; "functions conditioned by the specific character of the contingent". The paper provides ground for the need of developing cultural and educational orientation of the social centers, creating such institutions as "counseling centers for adults with life problems"; "multi-function centers" where alongside with the traditional programs the educational ones would be implemented. The authors emphasize the growing activity of citizens in educational activities aimed at their self-development. A widely understood result of the mentioned activity direction of social centers is socialization of various age people. It is noted that the inclusion of various centers into the specific territorial cultural and educational space helps disclose their potential in the activity aimed at development of both society and individuals. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n6s5p50