The Social Work degree programme at Hochschule Bremen (HSB) is going international this week: around 100 students and 14 lecturers from twelve European partner universities and HSB are organising an International University Week from 31 March to 4 April 2025. The focus is on the topic of socially shaping sustainability. International University Weeks have been held in parallel at four European universities every year since 1998 and are organised within the ‘SocNet98 - European Network of Schools/Universities of Social Work’ network.
During the one-week programme, twelve English-language workshops, six excursions, city tours, specialist events and an accompanying supporting programme will take place at the HSB in Bremen. Fourteen renowned international speakers from the European partner universities have been recruited for the workshops. They will offer workshops on various topics, such as the climate crisis and migration, intersectionality, climate aspects in the inclusion of people with disabilities or the special climate-related life situations and needs of young people.
Bremen's social work practice landscape is integrated into the programme with excursions, for example to the SOS District and Family Centre in Bremen's Neustadt district, the Hoppenbank e.V. offender support service or the Kinder- und Jugendfarm Bremen e.V. (Children and Youth Farm Bremen).
‘This week, we are creating a place in Bremen where internationalisation can be experienced in practice,’ says Prof. Dr Christian Spatscheck from the Social Work degree programme. ‘With the topic of social sustainability, we can address a topic that continues to be urgent and challenging in very different forms and approaches.’
The climate crisis remains an ongoing existential challenge for humanity. Ecological and social issues are inseparable: Vulnerable groups are more affected by the impacts, awareness-raising processes must be collectively organised and fair and democratic negotiation processes are needed at regional, national and international level. ‘The European university network ‘SocNet98’ offers an attractive and lively framework for this and is also a central part of our internationalisation strategy,’ says Christian Spatscheck.
Daniel Engelbrecht, Head of Hochschule Bremens administration, welcomed all participants at the opening ceremony: ‘The International University Week has a special significance for HSB: it emphasises its profile as an international and academically attractive university. The fact that we are welcoming guests from twelve European partner universities shows that the path of united European cooperation is correct and important. I wish all participants an enjoyable and enriching week.’
Prof. Dr. Renate Freericks, Vice Dean for Internationalisation and Research at School of Social Sciences: ‘The International University Week is a central and very concrete contribution to the internationalisation of the School of Social Sciences. I would like to thank everyone who makes this week's programme possible.’
Sabine Ganter from HSB's International Office adds: ‘The International University Week creates important places for encounters and exchange and helps the faculty and HSB to present themselves as an attractive and committed partner and host to international partner universities’.
At HSB, the International University Week is organised by Prof. Dr. Christian Spatscheck, Internationalisation Officer for the Social Work degree programme, Sabine Ganter, a member of staff in the International Office of the School of Social Sciences, and a 25-strong team of students.
Prof. Dr. Christian Spatscheck
Professor for Theories and Methods of Social Work
+49 421 5905 2762
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Looking forward to an international week in Bremen: Participants from twelve European partner universities at the International University Week in the Social Work degree programme at HSB.
© HSB - Louisa Windbrake
