International Networking

Diaconal social service network: Linking social work across borders

Social welfare partnerships link social welfare in Hamburg with issues that involve international collaboration. The local social welfare programs that the Diakonische Werk Hamburg and its member organizations have been providing for years are gaining international dimensions. Such programs focus on aid to the homeless, immigration work and nursing care. These particular areas make it clear that internal migration in the EU has significantly influenced social welfare work by adding new target groups, making it necessary to adjust existing programs. The Diakonische Werk’s mission to reduce poverty and its commitment to human rights has gained a focus that goes beyond local aid to include the international community.

Transnational networks of stakeholders from both civil society and government organizations need to improve their understanding of local situations and facilitate opportunities for international aid and collaboration.

The Diakonische Werk Hamburg can call upon partnerships that already exist with sister cities (such as Saint Petersburgand Dar es Salaam), and the transnational partnership work by Bread for the World.

Guiding Principles of International Networking

The Diakonische Werk Hamburg’s principles for diaconal social service partnerships: Human rights-oriented, long-term, cross-border.

Sister Cities

The Diakonische Werk Hamburg is involved in partnerships with Hamburg’s Sister Cities Saint Petersburg and Dar es Salaam. In Russia our social services focus on the homeless in Saint Petersburg. For the Sister City partnership with Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, we operate a cooperation desk, an information point for ...

Networking Social Work Across Borders

The expansion of the European Union to the east has caused a rise in circular and repeat migration. Neither social services here nor in the countries of origin are prepared to deal with this new type of movement. It calls for cross-border collaboration between aid services.