2026

2026

Helsinki, Groningen, Hasselt and Jena invites to IUW 2026 20 to 24th of april!

IUW for 2026 is chosen! And this year the destinations will be Finland, Nederland, Belgium and Germany!

The hosting institutions will be:

HUMAK University of Applied Sciences (Finland)

Theme: Perspectives and Tools for Community Work and Promoting Agency

Key words for the week:

  • Sustainable Community Work
  • Participation and  Agency
  • Forms of Youth Work
  • Civil Society and NGOs
  • Diversity and Accessibility
  • New Social Innovations

More information you will find on their webpage: IUW 2026 HUMAK

Hanze University of Applied Sciences (Groningen, The Netherlands)

Theme: Community as Care: Activating Social Networks and Volunteering in Social Work

More information you will find on their webpage: IUW 2026 Hanze

PXL University College of Applied Sciences and Arts (Hasselt, Belgium)

Topic: Making Change Work

Social workers are human rights professionals who strive for a sustainable, just society in which no one is left behind.
Their connection with people’s everyday lives puts them, as human rights professionals, in a unique position.They build strong relationships with the people they support, helping them connect with society. A broad and critical perspective is required for this role. Social workers encounter injustices in people’s lives on a daily basis.Engaging with individuals can provide valuable insights into societal structures and issues.


This week, we will explore the important role of social workers in addressing these issues. In Flanders we use the term ‘Politicisingwork’ to address problems transcending the individuals.This practice can take many forms.

More information you will find on their webpage: IUW

Ernst-Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena (Jena, Germany)

Theme: Democracy and Human Rights

  • What can social workers do when human rights and democracy are challenged?
    What is the role and purpose of social workers as promoters of human rights and social justice?
  • How can social workers transfer their ethical principles into everyday practice?

More information you will find on their webpage: IUW 2026 Jena