Keynote -Workshops - Field Visits - Excursion

Keynote

Bart Van Bouchaute

Bart Van Bouchaute studied socio-cultural work and political science. After a career as a municipal youth officer, he was affiliated with the Bachelor’s programme in Social Work at Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, where he taught courses on youth policy, socio-cultural work, social movements, globalisation, social policy, and politics. 

He has a particular interest in (de)politicisation within civil society and social work. He conducted research on youth participation, on repoliticisation as an alternative to deradicalisation among young people in vulnerable situations, and on gentrification as a strategy of neoliberal urban renewal. He has published on youth work and youth policy, politics and policy, and on politicisation in social work and civil society. 

Currently, he is working on a PhD under the supervision of Rudi Roose at the Department of Social Work and Social Pedagogy of Ghent University. His research focuses on lecturers’ resistance to the neoliberalisation of social work departments in Flemish and Dutch universities of applied sciences. In addition, he organises a post-academic course as coordinator of the Academic Workplace “Politicisation of/in Social Work” of the Ghent University Association. 

Workshops

Eva Schmolmüller 

Creating liveable neighbourhoods – social work as a driver for inclusive environments.

Noam Noguer Aymerich and UdG students

Early school drop out 

Reinhilde Christis and UCLL students

Diversity, inclusion, and discrimination in Flanders 

Annette Harth 

Community Work and Right to the City.

Hans Orsel 

Sharing experiences from the learning community in the Pittelo neighbourhood in Assen. 

Jenni Hernelahti 

Are We All Equal? – Drama Workshop 

Kate Baden Cox 

How can technology strengthen your professional role and your work with human rights? 

Hildegunn Garvoll and Heidi Sanden

Critical reflection and professional practice in education of social workers in child welfare services. 

Kirsten Vestergaard Prescott and Kathrin Bereiter 

Power, Difference and Policy Practice in Social Work.

Dries Dingenen

Public participation as a politicizing practice? Social professionals as civic intermediaries in local democratic ecosystems. 

Renate van Veen

Trauma-sensitive care in social work.

Inge Pasteels and Bart Put

From nexus to network: eviction research and collaborative partnerships in social work practice.

PXL-students

From signal to change: politicising social work in action. 

Field Visits

City of Hasselt (’t Scheep)

Hasselt is a vibrant, modern and dynamic city where a people-centred approach is key. The city strives to create a caring society in which all residents receive the support they need. Astrid Franssens, a politician who studied social work, is now responsible for the following policy areas in the city council: 

• Chair of the BCSD 

• Care and welfare (Social policy, Poverty reduction,Health) 

• Family support (The Children’s Centre, The Parenting Advice Centre, Childcare). 

She will guide us through the challenges faced by the city, as well as the services and policies implemented to create a caring society in Hasselt.  She will also share her perspective on the political role of social workers in the city. 

Cabrio Team

Cabrio is a multidisciplinary and autonomous team that carries out outreach work with homeless people in four regions/municipalities in Limburg. The teams have three objectives regarding the target group: 

• to connect clients with support services and their personal networks 

• to work towards securing housing 

• to establish contact with homeless people in their living environment and build a working relationship 

Cabrio takes a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together expertise in mental health issues, housing problems, addiction, basic rights, poverty and outreach work within a single team. They have a strong connection with the local community and policymakers. 

SAAMO Limburg

SAAMO Limburg supports and empowers socially vulnerable groups.  They’re expertise is: 

‘We bring people in socially vulnerable situations together. We transform shared concerns into collective solutions.’ 

Content of the field visit: 

• SAAMO’s Framework of community building 

• Tailored digital support for those who need it.  

In an increasingly digital society, people without internet access or digital skills risk being left behind. SAAMO Limburg is therefore introducing a 'digitalisation liaison officer' in Hasselt: a point of contact who helps vulnerable people find their way in the digital world. Actively working in the local community, the digital liaison officer listens to people’s needs and ensures that no one is left behind. The project's political objectives are to establish a robust network of partners dedicated to digital support and to contribute to sustainable digital policy. We influence partners and policy by working alongside them. We provide support to help develop an inclusive policy and vision. We identify barriers and engage in critical reflection to make our own services more accessible and user-friendly. 

Guided Tour Brussels

Is this Molenbeek? 

Old Molenbeek 

Long before the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels, Old Molenbeek had a serious image problem. We would like to show you the other side of the story. Our story begins with the construction of the Charleroi Canal in 1829, which opened up a chasm between Brussels and Molenbeek. The supply of coal and iron ore led to unprecedented industrial development. Around 1900, the area nicknamed ‘Petit Manchester’ was attracting thousands of migrant workers from Flanders and Wallonia. When the industry began to move away from 1970 onwards, the recent migrants, many from Morocco, stayed behind in the old working-class districts.  

Things became more diverse after 2000, with other newcomers and young, often creative city dwellers crossing the Canal. Gentrification can be a blessing, but it can also be a curse. Social housing, neighbourhood projects and the construction of playgrounds and parks are needed to give this densely populated area some breathing space. 

A stroll through the Marolles 

City centre 

Rue Haute, the main street running through the Marolles, is one of the oldest roads in Brussels. Numerous monastic orders settled alongside this link between the first and second city walls. Traditionally a district for ‘insalubrious’ professions such as tanning and woolworking, the Marolles became a densely populated working-class neighbourhood in the 19th century. It could tell many a tale of poverty, but also of solidarity and social struggle. 

The protest in 1965 against the expansion plans for the Palais de Justice laid the foundations for engaged community work that promoted urban renewal and improvements to streets and squares. Over the last few years, the district has also become increasingly trendy. 

Our Bruksel tour A Stroll Through the Marolles considers poverty and the city’s response to it: social housing and investment in a strong social fabric. We explore not only fashionable Rue Haute and the flea market on the Place du Jeu de Balle, but also lesser-known neighbourhoods such as the Kleine Marol, Querelles and Radis.