SocNet98 International University Week (IUW) 2026
Perspectives and Tools for Community Work and Promoting Agency

Welcome to Socnet98 International University Week2026 in Finland, Helsinki.
You can find programme below and more about workshops and field visits.
More information about the IUW:
Kristiina Vesama, kristiina.vesama@humak.fi, Kari Keuru, kari.keuru@humak.fi or Miki Mielonen, miki.mielonen@humak.fi.
Erasmus-agreements: erasmusmobility@humak.fi
Locations:
Humak, Campus Helsinki, Ilkantie 4, 00400 Helsinki
Hotel Haaga Central Park, Nuijamiestentie 10, 00320 Helsinki
Programme
8:30 – 9:30 Registration in the lower lobby
9:30 – 10:45 IUW opening. Introduction of the Socnet98Helsinki team. Program for the week. Team-building program. Safety and principles of a safe space. Introduction to the facilities and general instructions.
BREAK
11:00-11:20 Online greetings with other Socnet98 IUWs.
11:20-12:20 Keynote speaker. Prof. Dr. Christian Spatscheck
12:20-12:45 Discussion and Q & A.
12:45-13:45 LUNCH BREAK
13:45-14:15 LUNCH BREAK
14:15-16:15 Presentation of the week’s program. In-depth exploration of the theme and group work. Coffee, etc. Work in small groups and mixed groups. Discussion of the theme and content, questions, wishes, and needs for the week.
16:15-19:00 BREAK
19:00-21:00 Welcoming party.
8:30 – 9:15 Arrival to campus and opening for the day
9:15 – 9:30 Start of the day in the auditorium, morning energizers
9:30 – 11:45 WORKSHOPS
- 1. Homo Ludens - The Playing Human as a Concept and Approach to Meet New Challenges, Bas Stuurwold, Hanze University Groningen
- 2. The Resilience Café: A Social Innovation Tool to Foster Agency and Sustainable Community Work, Inga Henn, University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer
- 4. Social Innovation Skills Lab: A Practice-Based Method for Exploring Social Challenges, Mari Falch-Pedersen and Gina Hosøy Thorbjørnsen, University of South-Eastern Norway Porsgrunn
- 5. Community Building through Community Music Julien Schwarz, University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer
10:30 – 10:45 BREAK
10:45 – 11:45 WORKSHOPS continue…
11:45 – 13:15 LUNCH BREAK
13:15 – 15:00 FIELD VISITS
- Loisto Setlementti, The Boys’ House (NGO)
Address: Hämeentie 13 A, Sörnäinen, Helsinki.
Keywords: ngo, youth, youthwork, socialwork, gendersensitivity - Loisto Setlementti, The Girls’ House (NGO)
Address: Hämeentie 13 A, Sörnäinen, Helsinki.
Keywords: ngo, youth, youthwork, socialwork, gendersensitivity - Sekasin kollektiivi, Sekasin-chat (NGO, Online work)
Address: Maistraatinportti 4a, Pasila, Helsinki.
Keywords: ngo, online, youth, individualwork, loneliness, crisis - Diakonissalaitos - Deaconess Foundation, Living room activities
Address: Alppikatu 2, Helsinki
Keywords: ngo, socialwork, youth, immigration - Aseman lapset - Children of the Station, Walkers
Address: Annankatu 26 A, Helsinki
Keywords: ngo, youthwork, youth, community, individualwork, prevention
15:00 – 16:30 Free time
16:30 Let’s go to HEL
20:00 – Free time
8:30 – 9:15 Arrival to campus and opening for the day
9:15 – 9:30 Start of the day in the auditorium, morning energizers
9:30 – 10:30 WORKSHOPS
- 3. The situation of homeless youth and young adults in Vienna
Pascal Laun, University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten. - 6. Perspectives and Tools for Community Work and Fostering Empowerment
Kalsoom Aisha Dad and Susanne Farina Shah-Nielsen, UCL University College, Odense - 11. Paths of barriers
Maria Domènech, Anna Currius, Maialen Beltran Arreche and Francisco Calvo Garcia,University of Girona
BREAK
10:45-11:45 WORKSHOPS
- 9. Forms of Youth Work
Céleste Bioui and students Dine Moors, Amber Clerinx, Tom Vanhove, Drientje Cloostermans, Femke Debast, PXL University College, Hasselt - 12. Experiential Guided Imagery for Working with Groups of Young Adults and Adolescents
Ingrid Baloun, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice - 13. Recovery: Is Up to You
Vlasta Reznikova and Magda Dosbabova, College of Polytechnics Jihlava
11:45 – 13:00 LUNCH BREAK
13:15 – 17:00 FIELD VISITS
PACKAGE 1.
- Finnish Red Cross, Youth Shelters. Address: Läkkisepänkuja 2 A 14, Leppävaara, Espoo.. More information.
- Helsinki City, Game House Sture and Rainbow activities . Address: Konepajankuja 3, 00510 Helsink More information.
PACKAGE 2.
- Helsinki City, Maunula House, Maunula. Address: metsäpurontie 4, Maunula, Helsinki. More information.
- Sininauhasäätiö - Blue Ribbon Foundation, Café Illusio. Address: Mäkelänkatu 50 B, Vallila, Helsinki.More information.
PACKAGE 3.
- Kohtaus ry. Address: Torikatu 3, Malmi, Helsinki. More information.
- Helsinki City, Helsinki Upper Secondary School of Media Arts. Address: Moisiontie 3, Helsinki. More information.
PACKAGE 4.
- Stoppi, Stop huumeille ry. Address: Pakkamestarinkatu 2, Pasila, Helsinki.More information.
- Deaconess foundation, House of Hope. Address: Sahaajankatu 49, Herttoniemi, Helsinki.More information here and here.
PACKAGE 5.
- Deaconess foundation, Vamos. Address: Kuortaneenkatu 1. (6th floor), Vallila, Helsinki. More information.
- For you on social media – Sua varten somessa. Address: Hämeentie 13 a Helsinki. More information.
17:00 – Free time or optional program for students
17:00 – 18:00 Free time for lecturers
18:00 – Lecturers dinner and program
8:30 – 9:15 Arrival to campus
9:15 – 9:30 Start of the day in the auditorium, morning energizers
9:30 – 10:30 WORKSHOPS
- 1. Homo Ludens - The Playing Human as a Concept and Approach to Meet New Challenges (2 h),
Bas Stuurwold, Hanze University Groningen (Continues in the next time slot from 10:45 to 11:45.) - 6. Perspectives and Tools for Community Work and Fostering Empowerment
Kalsoom Aisha Dad and Susanne Farina Shah-Nielsen, UCL University College, Odense - 8. Bridging the Digital Gap. Social Work for an Inclusive Society
Helene Kletzl, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Linz - 14. The practical Application of Community Social Work Principles to Promote Social Cohesion and Empower Local Residents
Jana Stejskalová, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice
BREAK
10:45 – 11:45 WORKSHOPS
- 1. Homo Ludens - The Playing Human as a Concept and Approach to Meet New Challenges (2 h),
Bas Stuurwold, Hanze University Groningen (Continuation of the morning workshop.) - 7. Improving Mental Welfare Through Youth Work
Bart Loonbeek and students, UCLL University College Leuven Limburg - 11. Paths of Barriers
Maria Domènech, Anna Currius, Maialen Beltran Arreche and Francisco Calvo Garcia,University of Girona - 13. Recovery: Is Up to You
Vlasta Reznikova and Magda Dosbabova, College of Polytechnics Jihlava
11:45– 13:15 LUNCH BREAK
13:15 – 16:00 OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES led by Adventure education group
16:00 – 18:00 Free time
18:00 Farewell party: at Euphoria, Sörnäisten rantatie 33 C, 00500 Helsinki
9:00 – 9:45 Arrival to campus
09:45 – 10:00 Start of the day in the auditorium, morning energizers
10:00 – 10:45 Feed back of the week
11:00 – 11:30 Online evaluation with Socnet98 partners
11:30 – 12:00 Diplomas
12:00 – 13:15 Lunch
13:15 Travelling back to home. Bye bye! We miss you.
OR
WHAT A GREAT IDEA! STAYING ONE EXTRA DAY IN HELSINKI. TRIPADVISORY: TAKE A CRUISE TO TALLINN!
You can sign up for IUW events on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday using the form. Please note that multiple sessions take place at the same time on these days, so choose the one that interests you most.
The program on Monday and Friday is shared by everyone, and no separate sign-up is required for those days.

