“Sweden’s and Germany’s Welfare Models and Community Work”
As part of the master’s program “Social Sustainability and Demographic Change,” third-semester students embarked on a five-day field trip to the University of Gävle in Sweden in early October. The event took place from September 28 to October 2, 2026, as part of Module M08.1 during the intensive week and offered participants the opportunity to gain insights into the development of the Swedish welfare state as well as current approaches to social work.
International Perspectives on the Welfare State and Community Work
The field trip was organized by Prof. Dr. Ute Fischer in close collaboration with Dr. Stefan Sjöberg, Professor of Social Work at the University of Gävle. The focus was on issues related to international comparative research on the welfare state, as well as the different characteristics of welfare systems and community work in Germany and Sweden.
Particular emphasis was placed on combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience. The students visited various social work institutions in disadvantaged neighborhoods throughout the region. On site, they gained insights into specific support services, municipal strategies, and socio-spatial approaches aimed at funding participation and social integration.
The field visits were supplemented by in-depth academic discussions and seminars at the university. Both the Dortmund students and their Swedish counterparts contributed their own insights to these discussions. The direct exchange on societal challenges, sociopolitical developments, and professional action plans opened up new perspectives on the design of social security systems and the role of social work in both countries.
A positive international learning experience for all participants
The participants rated the international learning experience as consistently positive. They particularly appreciated the practical insights, the opportunity for intercultural exchange, and the chance to directly compare different welfare state models.
“It’s fantastic that we were able to gain these insights and have these discussions,” was the unanimous feedback from the students at the end of the field trip.
Through programs like this, the Faculty of Applied Social Studies strengthens the international focus of its study programs and enables students to reflect on social issues within a European context and analyze them from an academic perspective.
Prof. Ute Fischer, Dr.
Wednesdays 12-13 h during the lecture period
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