Abstract Keynote
The Importance of Mentoring in Social Work and Social Science as well as in Mentoring and befriending programmes are increasing due to upcoming political programmes to shape a strong civic society. Hence, there exist various programmes in which children, adolescents, and families receive support by voluntary workers. Although these programmes might differ in terms of context, goals, and setting, they all aim at supporting young people. The objective of the keynote is to define the meaning of mentoring and befriending in professional social work and social sciences. Based on scientific results it shows the potential of mentoring for a strong civic society.
Bio
Sarah Häseler-Bestmann is professor of social work, head of the graduate programme in social work and head of the department of pedagogy and social affairs at the Medical School Berlin. She completed her diploma studies in social work at the Catholic College for Social Work in Berlin and her Master’s degree in adult education/lifelong learning at the Humboldt University of Berlin before completing her doctorate in social family education at the University of Duisburg-Essen.
While working on her dissertation, she worked as a freelance practitioner in practical research and evaluation processes as well as in counselling and advanced training in various fields of social work, such as youth vocational orientation, child and youth education, and district work and family support.
In her teaching she focuses mainly on district work, the concept of communal space orientation, family support, child and youth welfare, health promotion and research methods in social work. In addition, she also has been holding workshops and further training courses for social professionals.