Auditorium | Migration

As our world becomes increasingly integrated and connected, many of the current concerns of the profession and academic discipline of social work transcend the particularity of nation-states. Migration is an obvious example, but issues such as social inequality or climate change also have an explicit transnational dimension.

In this keynote, Mieke Schrooten argues that the increase in transnational lifestyles and social concerns calls for ’transnational social work’, a perspective that recognises the role of social work beyond a bounded national state.

A social work practice will reflect on Mieke Schrooten's keynote, to share their perspective on this topic from the field.

Speakers:
Mieke Schrooten, University of Antwerp & Odisee University – Belgium
Ewa Sadowska, Barka - United Kingdom
Andrew Keogh, Barka - United Kingdom

During this walk, we visit two ecosocial projects in Bruges: House of Time and The Food Team. You will get a chance to meet the people behind the organisations and talk to them about climate change and social work.

House of Time is a project by German architecture firm Raumlaborberlin. On an old industrial site they created a meeting and production space for young people. Raumlaborberlin wants to break individualism and make local youth seek solutions to their social and societal problems as a community, through art and architecture.

The Food Team originated from the European FLAVOUR project. With European subsidies from Interreg 2 Seas, Stad Brugge set up a food distribution platform. The main objectives were job creation and access to the labour market, the reduction of food surpluses and access to healthy food for people in poverty.

Please note: unlike the other short sessions, this walk ends at 13.00.

Host: Inge Vervaecke, Vives – Belgium

During this walk, we visit two projects in Bruges that bridge the digital divide: Digipunt Bruges and Digiscan.

Inloophuis 't Sas is an initiative where people with limited social opportunities can meet, join activities, have a drink or use one of the many practical services, like showers, washing machines or computers. The Digipunt project at Inloophuis 't Sas aims to offer digital support to visitors, especially those with limited digital skills, through computer access, workshops and personal assistance,.

The Digiscan in the Bruges region, is a service that scans the technology and internet use of a household. Based on the results, tailored advice and digital courses are offered to improve digital literacy. The scan is free and is mainly offered to PCSW clients.

Please note: unlike the other short sessions, this walk ends at 13.00.

Host: Alexander Desender, Department of Care of the Government of Flanders – Belgium

Meeting Room 1 & 2 | Digitalisation

The fight against underprotection is also the fight against non-take up. Beneficiaries of allowances or subsidies too often miss out on these compensations because they don’t know they have certain rights or because the procedures are too complicated. For social workers this causes a lot of time-consuming administration.

How can automated decision making make rights more accessible to citizens? And can it unburden social workers from administrative processes and create more time for coaching?

Using the examples of Ghent (Belgium) as a starting point, we discuss the benefits and challenges with a researcher, a social worker, and a beneficiary.

Speakers:
Sarah Spiessens, City of Ghent – Belgium
Marjolijn De Wilde, KU Leuven – Belgium
Joy Clauw, City of Oostende - Belgium
Katty Creytens, Belgian Anti Poverty Network - Belgium

Host: Nele Schroyen, VVSG – Belgium

Meeting Room 6 | Climate Change

Young people across Europe are rallying for stronger climate policies, advocating for climate justice, while linking it to intergenerational justice. They rightly worry about their future and the impact on future generations, as they bear a disproportionate burden of the climate crisis.

Young people are willing to undertake concrete climate action. From graffiti actions to climate action camps, debates, and video projections, they activate all their creativity and talents to raise their voices and bring up their worries and demands.

In this session, concrete examples will serve as a starting point for the exchange of good practices and tips to face challenges in youth activism.

Speakers:
Oskar Bonte, Flemish Youth Council - Belgium
Wouter Radeur, UN Youth Ambassador, Flemish Youth Council - Belgium
Noluenn Cassaert, Globelink - Belgium

Host: Munera Adan Sahal, De Ambrassade – Belgium

Meeting Room 7 & 8 | Climate Change

How can ecosocial work practices combine social, ecological, and economic theories? In this session we meet inspiring ecosocial work practices from three domains: circular economy, mobility, and energy.

The Spanish social project Modare focuses on the reuse and recycling of textile, while providing people with a fair job. With their project ‘DIGNITY’, the Belgian organisation Mobiel 21 aims to create a digital travel system that is user-friendly for everyone, particularly for the most vulnerable. In Serbia, the Dweller Driven Settlement Upgrading Model focuses on people in vulnerable situations – many of whom are Roma – who live in inadequate housing, risking energy poverty.

Speakers:
Sam Delespaul, Mobiel 21 – Belgium
Slađana Jovanović, Dweler Driven Settlement Upgrading Model – Serbia
Alberto Egido Viciana, Moda re – Spain

Host: Birgit Goris, UCLL – Belgium

Meeting Room 1 & 2 | Climate Change

Ecosocial work is a relatively recent type of social work, which addresses the intrinsic connection between social and ecological issues at a systemic level.

This session starts with the presentation of a theoretical framework for eco-social work, which has been developed in Flanders (Belgium) and The Netherlands. To emphasize the importance of ecological awareness among social workers, we invite several international practitioners for a panel discussion. In this discussion, they will address issues such as the practical implementation of ecosocial work’s key principles, the engagement of disadvantaged groups, and the development of strategies to counteract dominant managerial approaches.

Speakers:
Philsan Osman, Avansa – Belgium
Baptiste Vasseur, Ensie – France
Inez Louwagie, De Transformisten - Belgium

Hosts:
Richard De Brabander, INHOLLAND – The Netherlands
Klaas Poppe, SAM, steunpunt Mens en Samenleving – Belgium

Meeting Room 4 & 5 | Migration

The first part of the session is an interactive lecture by Lieke Wissink about the research she conducted on the challenges to evoke positive change through social work initiatives for and with undocumented people in the Netherlands. A number of good practices have also grown out of this research, some of which she will discuss together with Haitham Ibraheem from the Human Rights Initiative in Amsterdam. After this first part, there will be ample room for exchange.

Speakers:
Nagia Vafeiadou, social practitioner - Greece
Haitham Ibraheem, Human Rights Initiative - The Netherlands
Clara Fleurette, Macadam vzw - Belgium
Julia Galaski, Macadam vzw - Belgium
Hanne Michiel, Humanitaire HUB - Belgium

Host: Griet Braeye, KDG – Belgium

Meeting Room 10 & 11 | Climate Change

We will start this extensive session with a lecture on social work and disaster work, by Professor Margaret Alston. Afterwards, social workers who have already faced climate disasters, will share their experiences with us via video recordings.

Speakers:
Margaret Alston, Professor of Social Work at University of Newcastle, Australia and Emerita Professor Monash University - Australia
Sérafina Fortuna, C.P.A.S. Verviers - Belgium
Philippe Hardy, C.P.A.S. Verviers - Belgium
Bruno Dothée, C.P.A.S. Verviers - Belgium

Host: Veerle Van Gestel, KDG – Belgium 

Auditorium | Digitalisation

The increased use of digital tools, systems and media in human service organisations poses challenges to the social worker-client relationship. This keynote explores this dynamic, considering recent developments like the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing automation of welfare services.

An ex-client and social worker concretise these challenges by recounting their experiences with different means of communication and the effect these had on their relationship.

Speakers:
Kettil Nordesjö, Malmö University – Sweden
Iwein Denayer, CAW – Belgium
Anne Lenaerts, CAW – Belgium

Host:
Marie Van der Cam, SAM, Steunpunt Mens en Samenleving - Belgium

Meeting Room 7 & 8 | Migration

In this interactive session, we start by introducing the phenomenon of social shadow work from a research perspective. We then give the floor to practitioners to present examples of social shadow work and of collaborative practices between formal and informal work.

Next, we invite the audience into the conversation. Topics of discussion are, among others: the advantages and disadvantages of collaboration between formal and informal social work, the thresholds informal practices encounter, the role of religion in social work, and the relationship between informal social work practices and the government.

Speakers:
Soemitro Poerbodipoero, Kraktie Foundation – The Netherlands
Ann Lamon, citizen initiative in transit camps in Pas de Calais & Vluchtelingenhuis Leuven – Belgium
Peggy Anijs, Kraktie Foudation – The Netherlands
Lotte Stoops, GREEN MP Brussels - Belgium

More speakers to be announced.

Hosts:
Saskia Welschen, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences – The Netherlands
Sylvie Van Dam, Odisee University College – Belgium

Meeting Room 6 | Climate Change

Social work is about changing the conditions through which we construct our lives, neighbourhoods, communities, and our natural environment. In this session we meet two inspiring social work practices who strive for ecological change in their own way. 

In Germany, Stromspar-check installs energy-saving products free of charge for low-income households. Burger Agora is a Belgian project that develops sustainability policies with people in poverty situations in a deliberative democratic project.

Speakers:
Carolin Oppenrieder, Caritas Germany/Stromspar-Check – Germany
Henk van Hootegem, Combat Poverty, Insecurity and Social Exclusion Service/Burger Agora - Belgium

Host: Luc Dedroogh, HOGENT – Belgium

Meeting Room 12 | Migration

Tensions at the macro-political level are palpable at both the meso level of practices and the micro level of direct interactions in social work. People react to international conflicts or migration in (sometimes) radical and polarising ways. What interaction and dynamics take place between the various levels?

Stijn Sieckelinck focuses on the macro level of phenomena like radicalisation and polarisation, and their impact on social and youth work. Naïma Lafrarchi looks at the microdynamics and introduces the concept of empathic leadership in social work.  With polarisation creeping into social work, participants will kindly be invited to meet each other and share their own experiences.

Speakers:
Stijn Sieckelinck, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences – The Netherlands
Naïma Lafrarchi, Ghent University – Belgium 

Host: Bart Van Bouchaute, Arteveldehogeschool – Belgium

Auditorium | Climate Change

Social work can be a true laboratory for innovation when it comes to climate and social justice. Seeking out new and unusual partnerships can be part of this experiment.

In this session, we invite a variety of social work practices that have set up experimental and valuable collaborations. They aim to tackle poverty as well as foster more inclusive economic growth through participatory governance. Together we will discuss and question what the role and impact of these unusual collaborations can be.

Speakers:
Koen Wynants, Commons Lab – Belgium
Stefan Goemaere, SAAMO/Papillon – Belgium
Marlies D'hertoge, Fietsersbond/Netwerk Tegen Armoede – Belgium
Bob Docx, Commons Lab – Belgium
Cindy Van Geldorp, Netwerk Tegen Armoede – Belgium

Host: Heidi Degerickx, Netwerk Tegen Armoede – Belgium

Meeting Room 7 & 8 | Digitalisation

Relationship building is an important part of the social work practice. Both the social worker-client relationship and the connection between professionals is essential. Today, this relationship building is enhanced and challenged by digitalisation. The use of digital tools challenges the traditional notion of relationship building, such as face to face encounters, but also offers new possibilities towards accessibility, presence, and empowerment. In this session, we present three interesting practices and studies that addressed this challenge.

Speakers:
Lennart Thienpont, Voem – Belgium
Lotte Vermeire, imec-SMIT, VUB – Belgium
Sofie Van Zeebroeck, Jint vzw - Belgium

Host: Leen Sebrechts, AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts – Belgium

Meeting Room 6 | Migration

In this interactive session participants are encouraged to identify the biases, myths and stereotypes associated with migrants and refugees in their host countries. Afterwards, Diaconia Spain will present their mentoring project as a good practice in the elimination of these barriers. Together with the audience, we will reflect on other forms of reception and integration.

Speakers:
Filipa Iraizoz Valido-Viegas, Diaconia Spain – Spain
Conchi Rodriguez, Diaconia Spain - Spain
David Moodie, Church of Scotland, United Kingdom

Host: Diaconia Spain – Spain

Meeting Room 12 | Digitalisation

The threshold for using digital tools in practice often proves to be high: for established technologies such as websites and apps, there is a plethora of choice which leads to uncertainty as to which apps (not) to use. For novel innovations such as virtual reality, lack of experience and questions regarding the potential limit uptake.

In a first part of the session, we will discuss onlinehulp-apps.be, a Flemish publicly accessible repository of apps and websites for well-being and mental health. In a second part of the session, we will zoom in on virtual reality for relaxation. What are the potential advantages? Both parts include trying out relevant apps and VR-solutions.

Speaker:
Sylvie Bernaerts, Thomas More – Belgium

Hosts:
Sam Brulez, SAM, steunpunt Mens en Samenleving – Belgium
Tom Van Daele, Thomas More – Belgium

During this walk, we visit two organisations that work with newcomers in Bruges: Refu Interim and the City of Bruges. You will get a chance to meet the people behind the organisations and talk to them about migration and social work.

Refu Interim and the City of Bruges Diversity Service are working together to create a city where newcomers find their way to volunteering and where volunteer organisations find their way to newcomers. Refu Interim matches the talents of each newcomer to volunteering opportunities. They also offer workshops to prepare newcomers for their volunteering work of choice.

The city of Bruges is applying to become European Capital of Culture in the year 2030. The theme of Bruges 2030 is 'The Art of Conversation', because if there is anything that sparks conversation, it is art and culture. Bruges 2030 mainly wants to present stories that are less often told and heard. In this way, Bruges 2030 hopes to contribute to the recognition and celebration of diversity in our city and society.

Please note: unlike the other long sessions this walk ends at 11.15.

Host: Andy De Brabander, Howest – Belgium

Meeting Room 1 & 2 | Digitalisation

We all must keep an eye out for those who cannot (yet) keep up with the rapid digitalisation of society by focusing on digital inclusion. In this session, we will meet inspiring practices from Belgium and other countries based on the four conditions of digital inclusion, as defined by Mediawijs: access, skills, supporting network and inclusion by design. We will then discuss the importance of the click, call and connect principle, as essential services must remain accessible to everyone: digitally, physically and by phone.

Speakers:
Els Meerbergen, Kom op tegen Kanker - Belgium
Lore Abrahams, Kom op tegen Kanker - Belgium
Niels Dewil, Link in de Kabel - Belgium
Karien Sondervan, Cybersoek - The Netherlands
Jacinto Colomo, Fundación Cibervoluntarios - Spain 

Hosts:
Davy Nijs, Mediawijs – Belgium
Mattia De Pauw, Mediawijs – Belgium

Meeting Room 7 & 8 | Migration

This session questions national boundaries and ‘sedentary’ views of social work in the post-war welfare state. As cities all over the world grow, diversity and migration increase. This superdiverse reality pushes social work to think beyond territorial boundaries, as migrant populations bring transnational networks with them.

In this session we meet a range of social work practices that engage with diverse migrant groups and their transnational realities, as well as transnational social work practices that establish social justice by intervening on multiple levels of government and working with transnational networks. The speakers from Romania will join us through a video call.

Speakers:
George Roman, Salvati copiii – Romania
Maryam Tawfiq Marwan, CAW, Mind-Spring East-Flanders – Belgium
Ruben Bruynooghe, JRS Belgium - Belgium
Anca Stamin, Salvati copiii - Romania
Carolin Ahlvik, Diaconia Finland - Finland
Anca Enache, Diaconia Finland - Finland

Host: Pascal Debruyne, Odisee University College – Belgium

Meeting Room 6 | Digitalisation

We usually describe the digital competences of social workers in general terms, such as: "The social worker must be media literate and digitally competent." But what exactly do we mean by that? What digital skills should a social worker have? And is it the social worker’s task to help realise e-inclusion? What about the increasing workload?

In this session we present a framework of digital competences for social workers and showcase three practices committed to strengthening these competences. Afterwards, an international panel will discuss the importance of digital competences and the presented framework.

Speakers:
Jana Verplancke, Onlinehulp Vlaanderen – Belgium
Ruth Allen, British Association of Social Workers - United Kingdom
Marie Van der Cam, SAM, steunpunt Mens en Samenleving – Belgium
Philippe Bocklandt, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences – Belgium
Charlotte Vanbleu, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences – Belgium
Martina Paterniti, ENSIE - B-Wise – Belgium
Elmien Claassens, University of Pretoria – South Africa
Leen Sebrechts, AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp – Belgium
Peter Cousaert, VVSG – Belgium

More speakers to be announced.

Host: Sandra Beelen, Onlinehulp Vlaanderen & SAM, steunpunt Mens en Samenleving – Belgium 

Auditorium | Climate Change

To curb climate change, European welfare states need to rapidly transition towards carbon-neutrality. This transition needs to be ‘just’, supporting the most vulnerable and low-income households. However, to make a just transition possible, citizens need to support its objectives and policies, and perceive them as fair.

Research suggests that climate and social policies tend to have different public support bases. These depend strongly on people’s social background, their norms, values, and ideology, and their trust in public institutions.

In this keynote lecture, the (lack of) support for ambitious climate and social policies, and the role of social work in a just transition will be addressed. An expert by experience will share their view on what a just transition really means. What can we learn from people experiencing poverty? How do we ensure no-one is left behind?

Speakers:
Wim Van Lancker, KU Leuven – Belgium
Christophe Teirlinck, Netwerk Tegen Armoede - Belgium
Karin Nelissen – ’t Lampeke – Belgium

Host:
Heidi Degerickx, Netwerk Tegen Armoede - Belgium

Meeting Room 4 & 5 | Migration

Decolonisation is an issue that is slowly but surely gaining the attention it deserves. Social professionals and organisations are getting educated and they are gradually losing their shyness to act. But what do we mean by decolonisation? Are we striving for the same objectives as people who are more likely to be in vulnerable contexts? Chances are that strategies are not attuned to the different needs in the pursuit of a decolonial organisation and society.

In this session, we will start from a common conceptual framework that we draw from the colonial past and reflect on the role that social work can play within this societal challenge.

Host: Lynn Formesyn, SAM, steunpunt Mens en Samenleving – Belgium 

Host and speaker: Lieven Miguel Kandolo, Hand in Hand tegen Racisme, Kandolo Consulting – Belgium

Meeting Room 10 & 11 | Digitalisation

Why do users engage with disinformation? Is it due to information overload, lack of digital skills, distrust in politics and media, lack of sense of belonging? How do we counter disinformation in online spaces?

This session unpacks technological, cognitive, and socio-political factors that contribute to the spread of false narratives. It offers answers that uphold our democratic value of freedom of expression, focusing on online and offline depolarising engagement practices.

Speakers:
Trisha Meyer, VUB – Belgium
Nathalie Van Raemdonck, VUB – Belgium

Host: Rudi Roose, Ghent University – Belgium

Meeting Room 12 | Migration

Superdiversity will increase in many western European societies, not only due to current and future migration, but also due to demographic changes in our societies. Social work will more than ever take place in superdiverse contexts. Meanwhile, this diversification creates counterreactions in society and a reluctance of dealing with differences without culturalization.

In this session, we will get a chance to talk to interesting social work initiatives actively engaging with the (re)building of a support base for increasing superdiversity.

Speakers:
Didier Vanderslycke, Orbit – Belgium
Nicola Salusso, Diaconia Valdese – Italy

Host: Dirk Geldof, University of Antwerp & Odisee University College – Belgium

Auditorium | Migration

Precarious working conditions and the exploitation of third-country nationals on the labour market are a source of concern in the EU. Social workers, trade unions and other civil society actors have warned that this growing issue demands urgent action.

In this interactive session we will focus on (inter)national policies and good practices that deal with this injustice.

Speakers:
Jan Knockaert, Fairwork Belgium – Belgium
Stefaan Peirsman, ACV – Belgium
Paula Caballero Fernandez, SAAMO Brussel – Belgium
Adam Mohamed Ariche, CEPAIM Foundation - Spain

Host: Dennis Smolders, PXL – Belgium 

Meeting Room 10 & 11 | Climate Change

Cities and municipalities can be true catalysts for a just transition by tackling sustainability challenges. Local governments can play a pivotal role and have a great responsibility in shaping a sustainable future. They can make sure this sustainable future leaves no-one behind.

This session will look at three domains where cities can make an important difference: mobility, food, and energy. Local governments can facilitate access to inclusive public transportation, for example, or create shared mobility. They can encourage sustainable and affordable food practices, like community gardens and farmers’ markets. And cities and municipalities can lead by example through the implementation of renewable energy projects, incentivising energy efficiency, and establishing energy communities.

Speakers:
Merel Vansevenant, Autodelen.net – Belgium
Kris Moonen, Energiegemeenschappen – Belgium
Naomi Dries, Rikolto - Belgium

Host: Kris Moonen, VVSG – Belgium

Meeting Room 12 | Digitalisation

This session connects digitalisation to mental health. We will focus on the positive and negative consequences of digitalisation and social media on mental well-being. It starts with current research on this topic and presents some inspiring social work practices that use digital tools to work on mental health with people who have limited access to psychological support.

Speakers:
Clara Huettenbrink, Malteser Werke - Germany
Paul Dunkel, Ipso - Germany
Inge Wissink, Utrecht University & Eurochild - The Netherlands
Emad Ahmadi, Ipso - Germany

Host: Elke Plovie, SAM, steunpunt Mens en Samenleving – Belgium