Folie 1© Prof. Dr. Michael Klassen | Dr. Susanne Lichtmannegger| Management Center Innsbruck

EU-Canada CooperationThe Displaced Persons Project –

A Social Work Field Education Exchange2005-2008

Michael Klassen & Susanne LichtmanneggerManagement Center Innsbruck

Innsbruck/Austria

Folie 2© Prof. Dr. Michael Klassen | Dr. Susanne Lichtmannegger| Management Center Innsbruck

Introduction

The Displaced Persons Project

• Exchange of 32 Canadian and 32 European social work students at graduate and undergraduate level

• 4 months supervised direct practice experience at social service agencies

• Focus: Working with displaced populations in Europe and Canada

• 8 faculty involved in a faculty exchange

Folie 3© Prof. Dr. Michael Klassen | Dr. Susanne Lichtmannegger| Management Center Innsbruck

Overview of partners

Canadian Partners• University of Calgary (lead)• University of British Columbia• Carleton University• University of Montreal

EU Partners• Management Center Innsbruck, Austria (lead)• Jagiellonian University, Poland; • Haute Ecole Charleroi, Belgium • University of Lapland, Finland.

Folie 4© Prof. Dr. Michael Klassen | Dr. Susanne Lichtmannegger| Management Center Innsbruck

Overview of grant

Total project budget: 252.200 €

EU grant: 142.000 €

Student stipends 700 €/monthTravel support 700 €

Folie 5© Prof. Dr. Michael Klassen | Dr. Susanne Lichtmannegger| Management Center Innsbruck

Students: Opportunities and Challenges

• Enhance social work student’s understanding of displacement as a global social problem and their abilities to address this issue

• Challenge of language

• Social Integration

• Differences between Canadian and EU students regarding support

• Cultural differences / ethnocentrism

Folie 6© Prof. Dr. Michael Klassen | Dr. Susanne Lichtmannegger| Management Center Innsbruck

Organization: Opportunities and Challenges

• Ownership for the project via teleconferences, face-to-face meetings, faculty exchanges

• Recruitment of local social service agencies, negotiating of a suitable placement

• different practicum standards: Supervision, evaluation

• Support for project coordinators at home institution: select partners that have human and financial resources to do the project

Folie 7© Prof. Dr. Michael Klassen | Dr. Susanne Lichtmannegger| Management Center Innsbruck

International Students in Ottawa at the Local Youth Hostel