Program

Time and duration: Monday - Sunday 20.5-26.5.2024
Place: University of Lapland

The first part of the program includes brief presentations, panel presentations, and small group discussions. Besides Finland, the U.S., Austria, Germany, France, Hong Kong, Lithuania and UK, lecturers include faculty members and practitioners from the other countries represented in the program. Typically, the presentations address a range of topics related to the program theme of social work from a global perspective.

Students also share information about their home countries; for example, their work experiences or social issues, in student panels. Participants engage in small group discussions (group dialogues) on topics related to global social work such as ethics or immigration.

A social-cultural program during the first week includes a welcoming reception, an international evening combined and a pot luck dinner (see Social Program for more information on these events).

Program for the lecture week 20.5-24.5.2024

Mon. 20 May

Welcoming remarks

Participant Introductions

Lectures and Group Dialogues

Welcoming Event (see Social Program below)

Tues. 21 May

Lectures, Student Panels and Group Dialogues

Wed. 22 May

Lectures, Student Panels and Group Dialogues

International Evening (see Social Program below)

Thurs. 23 May

Lectures and Student Panels

Optional Rovaniemi City Walk

Fri. 24 May

Lectures and Student Panels

Closing ceremonies

Pot Luck dinner 

Part One - Excursion to Inari 

Monday-Wednesday 27.5-29.5.2024

This excursion takes us to Inari and Utsjoki, Finland’s northernmost municipality, located 367 km north of the Arctic Circle. We travel by bus through southern Lapland’s woods towards the fell area of Lapland and the Finnish Sámi district. We stay two nights in Vasatokka. While at Utsjoki we visit a high school and a elementary school, the bridge that crosses the Teno river bordering Finland and Norway and a church village.

The trip introduces us to Sámi Culture and social services to Lapland’s indigenous Sámi population.

Part Two: Extended Program: Excursion to Helsinki

Thursday-Saturday 30.5.-2.6.2024

In this program, summer school participants have the opportunity to learn about some of the social service programs and cultural offerings of Finland's largest city, Helsinki. The region around Helsinki forms a metropolitan area with over one million inhabitants and is the home of the majority of immigrant and refugee populations. As the capital of Finland, Helsinki houses the Office of the President, the Parliament, and many government ministries. It is also the home of many wonderful museums and other cultural attractions. As a group, we will visit one such attraction: Suomenlinna, a 17th century island fortress in the Gulf of Finland. We also will visit some exemplary social service agencies. There will also be free time to explore the city on your own.

Welcoming Event

Monday 20.5.2024

An informal gathering on Monday. Small snack outside lecture hall A126. Afterwards we decide together where to go and get to know each other better.

International Evening 

Wednesday 22.5.2024 at the University, lecture hall D112.

During the international evening each country represented in the summer school has an opportunity to share something about their culture. Presentations may include history, arts, geography, language, dress, customs, or anything that participants would like others to know or experience. In past years, for example, participants have shared food and music, worn traditional clothing, displayed photographs, and taught dances, games and folk tales.

Potluck Dinner

Friday 24.5.2024 at the University, lecture hall D112.

Participants of the summer school also share traditional food and/or beverages from their home countries. The atmosphere is informal and fun.

Optional visits to Rovaniemi Museums 

Saturday 25.5.2024 

Science Center Pilke: The opportunity to explore the forest with all your senses and from many different angles

Korundi: House of Culture and Rovaniemi Art Museum 

An optional hiking trip to Ounasvaara.

Sunday 26.5.2024