How can social support services in Dortmund be ensured regardless of local and global circumstances? This question dominated the first annual reception of the Association of Independent Welfare Associations in Dortmund, at which Prof. Dr. Katja Nowacki(Opens in a new tab) , Dean of the Faculty of Applied Social Studies, gave a keynote speech.
From the perspective of the university, the Dean presented the challenges but also possible solutions in the context of the shortage of specialists in social work. In particular, she emphasized the great value of networking and cooperation between practice and university. Prof. Katja Nowacki emphasized that this connection is fundamentally strengthened by good practical connections and sound theoretical training. Specifically, in order to reduce the shortage of skilled workers, it is important that practitioners and universities develop joint demands and strategies and bring these to the relevant committees. "According to a study by the Institute of German Business Studies from 2022, social work is the profession with the greatest shortage of skilled workers in Germany," the Dean emphasized the high relevance and urgency.
At the first annual reception of this kind, the working group of welfare associations also welcomed its new spokesperson for 2024 and Dortmund's Lord Mayor Thomas Westphal and the previous spokespersons, Uta Schütte-Haermeyer and Niels Back, emphasized in their speeches how important cooperation between the associations, the municipality and the university is. "A social city is only possible together," emphasized the Lord Mayor.
A detailed report on the New Year's reception can be found here(Opens in a new tab) .
