Welcome to the 25th International Summer School!

Social Work and Social Science from a Global Perspective

Social work has become a global profession. The transnational nature of issues such as poverty, immigration, violence, and environmental degradation require a global perspective.

Social workers need to look beyond their communities and national borders and find ways to connect with colleagues around issues of common concern. This program provides such opportunities.

Organizers

Johanna M. Hefel

Team International Summer School of Social Work from a Global Perspective
Professor, Dr.
University of AS Vorarlberg, Austria
Department of Social Work and Health
Research Group Empirical Social Sciences
President, ogsa scientific society for social work in Austria
Johanna.hefel(at)fhv.at

Kelly Melekis

Team International Summer School of Social Work from a Global Perspective
MSW, PhD
Associate Professor and MSW Program Coordinator
Department of Social Work; College of Education and Social Services
University of Vermont, USA
U.S. Fulbright Scholar
Global Partnership for Transformative Social Work Board Member
kelly.melekis@uvm.edu

Merja Laitinen

Team International Summer School of Social Work from a Global Perspective
PhD, Professor
University of Lapland
Tel +358 40 659 8059
merja.laitinen(at)ulapland.fi

Eve Orhanli

Team International Summer School of Social Work from a Global Perspective
PhD
University Teacher in Social Work
Faculty of Social Sciences
University of Lapland
eve.orhanli(at)ulapland.fi

Tijl Van Daal

Advisor, Incoming student team

Tutoring, Orientation for exchange students
BIP, short courses
Tel. +358 40 584 1615
incoming(at)ulapland.fi

Inka Salo

Team International Summer School of Social Work from a Global Perspective
Summer School Coordinator
Faculty of Social Sciences
University of Lapland
isalo(at)ulapland.fi

What is International Summer School?

The International Summer School in Rovaniemi, Finland is an annually organized tradition that enables students and professionals in social work and related human service fields to explore the meanings, practices and implications of social work from a global perspective. A multinational cohort of students and faculty create an enriching environment for expanding and deepening understanding of global issues and how social workers can work collaboratively to address them. Participants engage in lectures, small group discussions and informal interaction. They learn about how globally relevant social phenomena occur in local contexts as well as the ways social work responds and approaches social problems in different parts of the world.

Since 1998, more than 1 000 students from approximately 45 countries have participated in the summer school. Student evaluations consistently rate the program as a highly meaningful and valuable educational experience, in some cases even life changing!

Please note that applications from individual students are not accepted. The participants of the Summer School are determined based on inter-institutional agreements.