IU Karlsruhe hosts second Diversity Day

Karlsruhe, 7. August 2026. Diversity and social inequality are rarely abstract topics for social work students – rather, they are societal conditions with which they are confronted on their very first day of professional practice. On August 6, the campus of the IU International University of Applied Sciences in Karlsruhe made this realisation the focus of its second Diversity Day. Titled "Diversity International" the event took place from 10 am to 12 pm on campus at Blücherstraße 20. Participation was free of charge. Lecturers and students from the IU's dual-study programme in Social Work, as well as practical training supervisors from partner organisations in the region, were brought together. The event was moderated by Prof. Dr Sabine Bährer-Kohler from IU.

The event was opened by Prof. Dr Jens Rieger from IU. He addressed the question of how narratives that question societal diversity can weaken the promises of equality and participation upon which democratic societies are founded. These developments are particularly evident in groups already threatened by marginalisation. His conclusion was directed specifically at the professionals present: Social work must explicitly orient itself towards human rights, social justice, diversity, and participation, and confront exclusionary tendencies with professional clarity.

Following this, Prof. Dr Marit Cremer addressed the topic of "Human Rights and Diversity," explaining the significance of human rights for the everyday practice of social work. Using examples from international social work, she demonstrated how lived diversity can come under pressure in different national and institutional contexts. At the same time, she raised the question of what professional and ethical stance social work should adopt when societal conditions change.

Afterwards, the students took the floor. Lara Katine and Lennert Müller presented their paper "Social Inequality – Social Work – A Theory." They began by introducing the fundamentals of social inequality and then elaborated on these using Pierre Bourdieu's sociocultural theory of habitus, capital, and the social field. They demonstrated how societal structures influence access to education and social participation. The presentation was accompanied by a poster they had designed themselves.

The morning concluded with a panel discussion featuring Josef Held, musician and special education teacher. He has witnessed and significantly influenced the development of special education in Germany and Europe since the late 1970s, making him the most experienced voice in the discussion. Further posters from the students were presented and supplemented by an information table. Even after the official end of the programme, lively discussions continued at a reception organised by the IU Campus Karlsruhe team.

The event format also reflects how the topic is taught at IU: Students in the dual-study programme in Social Work spend an entire semester exploring diversity and social inequality. Diversity Day provides a public platform for this course content – and simultaneously brings the students together with the practitioners who will later mentor and guide them in their professional lives.