Conference Cycle Masterclass Series & Thematic Sessions

The Masterclasses & Thematic Sessions Series, organised as part of the Master’s Degree in Social Work and Social Policy and the Social Policy in Portugal and the European Union course unit, provides a space for debate and critical reflection on the major contemporary challenges facing social intervention. Across four sessions featuring invited experts and lecturers, key topics will be addressed, including citizenship, peacebuilding and the maintenance of peace, artificial intelligence, mental health, child protection and European migration policies.

This series aims to provide an opportunity for in-depth analysis of the development of contemporary social policies, bringing academic research closer to community-based practices on the ground. It therefore seeks to equip students with an understanding of regulatory frameworks, European instruments and emerging challenges in mental health, childhood and youth, migration, digital citizenship and peacebuilding.

Programme

Location: Room A 2.5

7 November

10h00 – 12h00 | Inaugural Masterclass
Citizenship Today: Building and Maintaining Peace in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Guest speaker: Professor Hermano Carmo - ULisboa

13 November

18h30 – 19h30 | Thematic Session I — Migration
Immigration Policies in the EU: Instruments, European Funds and Social Intervention
Guest speaker: Professor Hélia Bracons - Lusófona University

14 November

10h00 – 11h00 | Thematic Session II — Childhood and Youth
Child Protection Policies: Rights, Regulatory Frameworks and Community-Based Practices
Guest speaker: Dr Elizabeth Di Paolo (ISCTE Doctoral Research Fellow)


20 November

18h30 – 19h30 | Thematic Session III — Mental Health
Public Policies and Mental Health: From Social Protection to Community-Based Care
Guest speaker: Dr Paula Domingos (Social Worker at the National Coordination Office for Mental Health Policies and Senior Officer at the Directorate-General of Health)