New specialist group Religion and Social Work” founded in Vechta!

New specialist group Religion and Social Work” founded in Vechta!

On March 28, 2025, a new specialist group of the German Society for Social Work (DGSA) was founded in Vechta, which is dedicated to the topic of “Religion and Social Work”. This initiative was created as part of the Vechta religious conference, which was entitled “Now tell me, how do you feel about religion?” took place in March 2023. The event attracted numerous experts who deal with the role of religion in the context of social work.

The specialist group was founded in October 2024 under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Walburga Hoff from the University of Vechta and Prof. Dr. Matthias Nauerth from the Evangelical University of Hamburg. Both coordinators emphasize the important connection between religion and social engagement, especially given the role of world religions in the development of social structures.

Historical context and contemporary challenges

Since professionalization in the 20th century, social work has traditionally kept its distance from religious issues. But in an increasingly pluralistic society characterized by ongoing migration movements, this distance is increasingly being called into question. Prof. Hoff emphasizes that the secularization thesis is no longer fully valid; Religion continues to appear relevant in a transformed and plural form.

The specialist group aims to create an interdisciplinary network that promotes discourse about religious sensitivity in social work. The institutional connection between religion and social work is particularly at issue here, for example because many social services are provided by churches and denominational welfare associations.

Future-oriented discussions

The next annual conference of the specialist group with the title "Religion and Professionalism. (New) Challenges for Social Work?" will take place from November 13th to 14th at the Evangelical University of Hamburg. This event promises to provide a deeper insight into the challenges and opportunities that arise from the combination of religion and social work.

Dr. Nauerth and Dr. Hoff hope to create a platform with the specialist group that not only stabilizes academic networks, but also advances current discourses about the pluralization of religion and its influence on social work. The founding of this specialist group could therefore be seen as a step in a new direction for social work in Germany, making it possible to deal with the growing complexity of the religious landscape.

In summary, it can be said that the new specialist group plays an important role in promoting dialogue between religion and social work, taking into account both historical insights and current challenges. The interdisciplinary approach promises deeper reflection on the interfaces between these areas in today's society.