Social Work in a post-migrant society: diversity-conscious and anti-discriminatory practice
Information
Thursday, May 7, 2026
08:30 AM
-
04:30 PM
FHV, Building A, Aula
What can you expect?
Post-migrant societies are characterised by the fact that they have been significantly shaped and built up by migration. This empirical fact is often – though not automatically – reflected and acknowledged politically through legislative changes, official self-descriptions and shifts in the discourse on migration. At the same time, post-migrant societies are described as ‘obsessed’ with the topic of migration. This obsession is an integral part of post-migrant society. Engaging with migration and integration has become a central mode of socialisation. Post-migrant societies are thus shaped not only by migration itself, but also by hegemonic discourses on migration.
The post-migrant perspective takes account of this tension by thinking in three dimensions: ‘post’ means, firstly, to view societies after migration; secondly, to look beyond the discourses on migration; and thirdly, to move beyond these discourses.
Thinking about societies in the context of migration means viewing migration as a “historical norm” rather than a sudden exception, and recognising that societies have been shaped and built to a significant extent by migration. A look beyond the discourses on migration reveals that issues such as migration and integration are frequently problematised in social debates, structures and practices (focus on deficits), whilst ethno-national-cultural and racist stereotypes are obsessively emphasised, thereby conjuring up an image of a non-existent homogeneous society. Post-migrant societies are also characterised, however, by the fact that they move beyond these obsessive discourses and generate and enable new ways of living and thinking. The post-migrant society is credited with dissolving the established binary coding of ‘natives and immigrants’. This dichotomy is replaced by diverse forms of social participation, new positions and new alliances.
During the conference, we aim to explore the tensions within post-migrant society and develop a diversity-conscious and anti-discriminatory approach to social work practice.
Programme
| 08:30 AM – 09:00 AM | Registration Bulding A, Aula |
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| 09:00 AM – 09:30 AM |
Start of the event and welcome
by Carmen Hofer-Temmel
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| 09:30 AM – 10:30 AM |
Keynote: The post-migrant experience as resistance – from hegemony to everyday practice |
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| 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM | Coffee break |
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| 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
Keynote: How is Vorarlberg addressing the issues of migration, integration and diversity? Current situation, developments and context by Eva Grabherr, Managing Director of OKAY. Integration and Diversity in Vorarlberg |
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| 12:20 PM – 01:40 PM |
Lunch |
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| 02:00 PM – 16:30 PM |
Workshops - for registered students only |
Event language
German
Audience
There are 40 places available for interested participants for the morning keynote speeches.
Participation & registration
There is a registration fee of 25 euros per person.
You can find information on how to register > via this link.