Hessian Commitment Congress "Socially Committed in Hessen

Almost 400 volunteers from all over Hesse actively participated in the congress "Socially Engaged in Hesse" on 25/26 September at the University of Applied Sciences in Fulda.

This congress on issues of voluntary engagement was developed and organised as a cooperation between the Hessian Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration and Fulda University of Applied Sciences, represented by the Department of Social Work and the Scientific Centre Society and Sustainability (CeSSt) at Fulda University of Applied Sciences. The congress contributed to a broad public awareness of the diverse commitment in Hesse. Current topics, questions and perspectives for action were discussed.

In addition to three scientific lectures, the congress programme included about 50 workshops with practical discussions and project presentations on voluntary engagement. In addition, participants could inform themselves about projects and offers of initiatives and associations at 54 information stands. Researchers from CeSSt and the Department of Social Work organised workshops and discussions on research into involvement in citizens' aid associations (Martina Ritter, Monika Alisch), the division of labour between full-time employees and volunteers in the migration society (Monika Alisch, Jens Vogler together with Manuela Westphal and Anke Freuwört, University of Kassel), on the integration of newly immigrated women in Germany (Khulud Sharif-Ali), on the relationship between political activity and non-profit work (Marei Pelzer) and on the question of how civic engagement can be used "well" by companies for non-profit purposes (Bettina Stoll).

"It is a special honour for us to host the state congress together with the Hessian Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration," emphasised University President Prof. Dr. Karim Khakzar: "Our professors conduct practical research on engagement, on questions of civil society, on co-responsibility through engagement and on the participation that can be made possible through engagement."

Interviews mit Organisator*innen und Teilnehmenden hier