Across Europe, far-right parties are gaining influence and power. This is not just a political shift; it is already affecting the daily practice of social work, including funding priorities, institutional frameworks, professional ethics, and the working relationships between social workers and their clients. In a context shaped by racist and exclusionary ideologies, professional standards are being massively called into question.
What impacts are visible in practice? How are social workers, organizations, and social work associations responding to these far-right influences?
This "Europe Calling" webinar presents initial findings from the SoFRiED research project, which examines the effects of far-right influence on social work in Germany, Austria, and Hungary from an international comparative perspective. The project is coordinated at the University of Applied Sciences Neubrandenburg.
Based on empirical research, the webinar will explore:
- How far-right discourses and policies shape the structures and practices of social work;
- The challenges faced by professionals and organizations;
- The strategies being developed to defend professional ethics, which are grounded in human rights and democratic values.
Using empirical case studies from the three participating EU countries, participants are invited to reflect on their own experiences within their professional contexts.
The SoFRiED research group also aims to develop institutional responses and counter-strategies to far-right ideologies and activities, in order to promote human rights and democratic coexistence in line with the global definition and professional ethics of social work.
This webinar is aimed at social work professionals, professional associations, researchers, and civil society actors interested in gaining deeper insights into the topic and engaging in discussion.
Speakers:
- Prof. Dr. Júlia Wéber, Project Leader of the SoFRiED research network and Professor of Migration Society and Democratic Education at the Department of Social Work, Education, and Upbringing, University of Applied Sciences Neubrandenburg.
- Prof. Dr. Christine Krüger, Professor of Social Sciences and Qualitative Social Research at the Department of Social Work, Education, and Upbringing, University of Applied Sciences Neubrandenburg.
- Mag. Christoph Omann, Researcher and Lecturer in the Department of Social Work at St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences.
- M.Sc. Viktória Borda, Assistant Research Fellow and Deputy Head of the Department of Community and Social Studies at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Pécs.
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. habil. István Sziklai, Social Policy Expert and Academic, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), and Head of the Department of Social Policy.
Moderation:
- FH-Prof. Eva Grigori, Lecturer in the Department of Social Work at St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences.
- Amélie Pasmanns, Europe Calling.
Please register at europe-calling.de/webinar/sofried/
Participation is free of charge.
The event will be held in two languages (English and German); the Europe Calling team will provide interpretation between German and English.
Organiser: Europe Calling