Conference Cycle Conversations with Academia: Participation, Interculturality and Social Change

Conversations with Academia is a collaborative initiative between Lusófona University – Lisbon University Centre, through the Institute of Social Work/FCSEA, and Associação CLIP – Recursos e Desenvolvimento, which aims to bring academia and social intervention professionals closer together by creating spaces for critical reflection, knowledge sharing and dialogue on the emerging challenges facing contemporary societies. The initiative values the connection between scientific research and professional practice, recognising the experience of professionals and the contributions of different social stakeholders to developing more inclusive, participatory and culturally competent responses.

This edition features three sessions dedicated to community participation, interculturality, the development of skills for social intervention, and the transformation of territories and communities. Conversations with Academia aims to establish itself as a meeting point for research, education and professional practice, contributing to more effective social responses tailored to the diversity and complexity of contemporary contexts.

Programme

19 November 2026

Session 1 | 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Community Participation and Interculturality: How to Engage Different Communities in Local Life

This session invites participants to reflect on strategies for promoting the active participation of different communities in local life, recognising cultural diversity as a resource for community development and strengthening social cohesion.

Guest Speaker

• Lecturer Antonela Pereira Jesus – UCP

21 January 2027

Session 2 | 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Cultural Intelligence in Social Intervention: Developing Professionals Prepared for Diverse Contexts

This session focuses on cultural intelligence as a fundamental skill in social intervention, exploring the knowledge, attitudes and abilities that enable professionals to work consciously, appropriately and effectively in culturally diverse contexts.

Guest Speaker

• Lecturer Isabel Vieira – UCP

25 February 2027

Session 3 | 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Territories, Communities and Diversity: Participation, Interculturality and Social Transformation

This session encourages debate on the role of territories and communities in social transformation, highlighting civic participation, the appreciation of diversity, collective memory and the development of sustainable responses to inequalities.

Guest Speakers

• Dr António Brito Guterres – Community intervention, participation, territory, citizenship and social transformation.
• Lecturer Rogério Roque Amaro – Local and community development, territory, participation and tackling inequalities.
• Lecturer Mário Moutinho – Social museology, heritage, memory, communities, participation and the democratisation of culture.

Organisation and Facilitation

Hélia Bracons – Institute of Social Work / FCSEA – Lusófona University
Rafaela Pires – CLIP, Recursos e Desenvolvimento