Under the title ‘Contemporary Challenges of Social Connectedness’, the ECSWE 2025 (European Conference on Social Work Education) from 23 to 26 June 2025 is dedicated to the question of how social connectedness can be strengthened as a central pillar for an inclusive, democratic and sustainable society. More than 400 participants from all over Europe will be welcomed by the Department of Applied Social Sciences at Campus Urstein.
The central themes of the conference reflect the highly dynamic nature of the professional field of social work as well as teaching and research at the Department of Applied Social Sciences: ‘Connectedness in Politics and Democracy’, ‘Social Connectedness as a Social, Mental and Physical Health Issue’, ‘Connectedness in Ecology and Sustainability’, ‘Connectedness across Social and Cultural Divides’ and ‘Digital Connectedness and (New) Technologies’.
Internationally renowned keynote speakers will introduce the main topics:
- Prof Darja Zaviršek (University of Ljubljana): ‘Social Work for Peace and Transnational Solidarity: Sometimes a Reality, Sometimes a Distant Dream’
As a pioneer of international social work, Darja Zaviršek brings a global perspective on solidarity and peace work to the debate (keynote on 24 June).
- Lisa Große & Karsten Giertz (Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts): ‘Hard-to-reach - reasons of being unconnected and necessity of embedding work’
The two experts will take a practical look at why certain groups remain difficult to reach, what challenges this entails and how social work can create new ways of inclusion (keynote speech on 25 June).
In addition to the keynote speeches and workshops, participants are invited to take part in organised field trips to social work companies and organisations to gain an impression of the practice in Salzburg.
FH Salzburg as host of the ECSWE
The ECSWE (European Conference on Social Work Education) is the central event of the European Association of Schools of Social Work (EASSW), which represents over 300 universities of social work in Europe. The conference takes place every two years and brings together international academics, young researchers, practitioners and students to discuss current social challenges. "The conference is an internationally visible platform for scientific exchange and social innovation. By hosting the ECSWE, the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences is underlining its role as a leading educational and research institution in the social sector," explains Heiko Berner, Head of the Master's Social Innovation programme at the Department of Applied Social Sciences and member of the EASSW Board.