We are delighted to invite you to the forthcoming international conference Social Education and Social Pedagogy: Here and Now. The 3-day conference is jointly hosted by the University of Central Lancashire, the Social Pedagogy Association, ThemPra Social Pedagogy, and Arizona State University at UCLan’s campus in Preston from 16 to 18 June. We hope to see many of you there.

With this conference we hope to create a uniquely interactive experience for all delegates, with a wide range of speakers, interactive workshops, Open Space forum, and a more general poster presentation area for those not wanting to give a full presentation. This conference is part of an international initiative supported by a wide range of national associations to bring together scholars and practitioners of social pedagogy, social education and related professions from around the world. It builds on many previous efforts, most recently the Puebla 2018 conference Social Education and Social Pedagogy: Bridging Traditions and Innovations, which represented a wide variety of topics reflecting many of the diverse areas encompassed by social pedagogical research and practice.

In Preston, we will focus on similar connections between social education and social pedagogy and how we can form alliances to take forward our collective aspirations for a better world. The conference provides an opportunity to reflect on some of the most pressing social issues, allowing us to address these concerns meaningfully and proactively lead social change. By connecting with delegates from across the globe, we will be able to explore solutions for challenges in sustainability, inequality, global violence, participatory democracy and more.

As part of this, the programme will include:

• Keynote presentation by Arto Salonen (University of Eastern Finland) on planetary social pedagogy and an eco-social approach to education;
• Keynote presentation by Lotte Harbo (VIA University College Aarhus) on social pedagogy, evidence-based manuals and gut feeling – responding meaningfully to complex practice situations;
• Plenary discussion forum on the relationship between social pedagogy and social work from a global perspective, with Xavier Úcar (Autonomous University of Barcelona), Karla Villaseñor Palma (Autonomous University of Puebla), Daniel Schugurensky (Arizona State University), Onno Husen (Leuphana University Lüneburg), and Gabriel Eichsteller (ThemPra Social Pedagogy);
• Open Space Forum to explore the themes that matter to you, learning from delegates around the world;
• Interactive workshops, formal presentations and roundtable discussions on a variety of social pedagogical and social educational themes;
• Marketplace with poster presentations and networking opportunities;
• And a few engaging group learning activities to help you make new connections.

 

Proposal Submissions

There is still time to contribute to the programme. Submissions may include paper presentations, roundtable conversations, poster presentations or workshop proposals. Workshops must offer attendees active participation through acquisition of a new skill or through responsible engagement of participants in discussion and problem- solving.

All proposals should be submitted via this Google form by the 14^th of February, 2020. We will notify you of acceptance before the end of March.

In addition to being considered for inclusion in the conference, papers on issues around migration will have the opportunity to submit to the forthcoming special issue of the International Journal of Social Pedagogy (see here).

 

Registration and costs

Registration is now open, and you can book your place online at www.socialpedagogy.org/registration.

Conference fee:         £125 (early bird rate until 31 March, 2020)
£150 (full rate from 1 April, 2020)

 

Further information

For further details about the conference please visit www.socialpedagogy.org/general-information or contact us directly at contact@socialpedagogy.org with the subject heading: Preston 2020/Inquiry. We will provide you with details around travel to Preston, accommodation, and everything else you need to know once you’ve secured your place.

Contemporary Challenges for Social Professions – The Case for Social Pedagogy as a Meaningful Perspective

Ghent University, 21 May, 2019

We’re excited to announce further programme details at the forthcoming International Conference in Ghent.

 

CONFERENCE OUTLINE

Social professions find themselves under intense pressure to achieve better outcomes with fewer resources. Aimed at policy-makers and other professionals from across Europe, this conference highlights the importance of a social pedagogical perspective in countering some of the most profound and persistent challenges to social professions across Europe. Throughout the conference day we will focus on how decision-makers can create the conditions in which practitioners can develop meaningful relationships with the people they support, facilitate social inclusion and remain committed to social justice. Presenters at the conference include Prof Walter Lorenz (Charles University Prague) and Dr Sanna Ryynänen (University of Eastern Finland). You will also have the opportunity to gain insights into innovative practice developments and grow your international network with other professionals from different European countries.

 

PROGRAMME

from 8.30: Registration

9.30:         Welcome by Prof Ann Buysse (Dean, Ghent University)

9.45:         Social Pedagogy as a Meaningful Perspective: Insights from our MOOC project – Gabriel Eichsteller & Sylvia Holthoff (ThemPra Social Pedagogy, UK)

10.15:      Inequality as a Social Pedagogical Question – Dr Sanna Ryynänen (University of Eastern Finland)

10.45:      Coffee break

11.15:       Social Pedagogy as a Perspective on Social Policy – Prof Walter Lorenz (Charles University Prague)

11.45:       Facilitated thematic discussion

12.30:       Lunch

13.30:       Social Pedagogy in Practice: Examples from six countries (Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom) – workshop round 1

14.45:       Coffee break

15.15:      Social Pedagogy in Practice: Examples from six countries (Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom) – workshop round 2

16.30:       Reflections from the day

17.00:       Reception

 

WHO THE CONFERENCE IS FOR

Policy-makers, decision-makers and leaders as well as frontline practitioners working in social welfare, care, health and education settings will find this conference of particular relevance.

 

REGISTRATION & FEES

Please register here to secure your place. Registration for this event will cost 60 €. After registering you will receive a payment link by email.

For international guests from Southern, Central and Eastern Europe with substantial travel costs we’re able to offer some financial support through our Erasmus+ funds. Please contact gabriel@thempra.org.uk for details.

 

VENUE

The conference will take place at Universiteit Gent, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent. Click here to find it on Google Maps.

 

VISIT GHENT

If you’ve never been to Ghent, Belgium, you’re probably unaware of how amazing the city actually is! There’s so much to see, so make sure you leave some time on your trip for sightseeing and the local cuisine – Belgian beer, frites, waffles and chocolates are just the tip of the culinary iceberg!