Workshop Short Courses in the Community: Knowledge that Inspires and Transforms

In a constantly changing world, marked by diverse social, economic, and cultural challenges, access to knowledge has become an essential tool for inclusion, autonomy, and the strengthening of citizenship. In this context, short courses aimed at the community emerge as an effective, practical, and accessible response to the real needs of individuals, professionals, and social institutions.

By offering short-term learning opportunities with immediate application, these courses provide a valuable means of developing personal, relational, social, ethical, and professional skills. At the same time, they foster closer ties between the University and community institutions, valuing different types of knowledge and contributing to more participatory, cohesive, and inclusive contexts.

More than one-off training activities, short community courses constitute spaces for listening, sharing, and joint knowledge-building, with a direct impact on both people’s lives and the practice of social organisations. Addressing current and relevant themes such as health and well-being, family relationships, sustainability, communication, inclusion, care, and family management, these initiatives seek to respond to the needs identified by the technical teams of institutions and by the community itself.

Each course is designed so that participants feel valued, heard, and empowered, promoting individual autonomy, the strengthening of community bonds, and the articulation between academic knowledge and lived experience.

This training plan is part of the ISS Activity Plan and the INOVEDU Project, within the scope of the Volunteering subproject. In the 2025/2026 academic year, a set of Short Courses will be offered in partnership with community-based social institutions, targeting different audiences and involving lecturers from various areas of expertise within the University.

• Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Lisbon – Social Workers
• Lar de Santa Clara – Direct Care Assistants
• Legion of Good Will – Families in Situations of Vulnerability

This initiative reaffirms the University’s commitment to being open and socially engaged, close to local communities, institutions, and citizens. By stepping beyond its walls, the University places itself at the service of society, contributing to the continuous training of professionals, caregivers, families, and vulnerable populations, as well as to the strengthening of local social support networks.

Programme

Short Courses for Direct Care Assistants – Lar Santa Clara Theme: Good Practices in Elderly Care

• Rights and Duties of Workers – September 2025
  • Prof. Carolina de Freitas e Silva (FD)
• Well-being in Social Organisations – October 2025
  • Prof. Isabel Duarte (ECEO)
• Strategies for Adapted Exercise for Older Adults – November 2025
  • Prof. Teresa Ramilo (FCSEA/FEFD)
• The Power of Communication in Conflict Management – January 2026
  • Prof. Ana Paula Garcia (ISS/FCSEA)
• Caring for Body and Soul: Inclusive Practices in Respect for Residents’ Religions – February 2026
  • Prof. Paulo Mendes Pinto (FCSEA)
• Dealing with Grief: Coping Strategies – April 2026
  • Prof. Paulo Sargento (ERISA)

• Cultural Diversity at Work: Caring and Educating – May 2026

  • Prof. Hélia Bracons (ISS/FCSEA)

Short Course for Social Workers – IPO Lisbon Theme: Social Intervention in the Context of Illness: Challenges, Practices and Skills

• Step by Step: How to Write a Scientific Paper – January 2026
  • Prof. Nelson Ramalho (ISS/FCSEA)
• Well-being in Social Organisations – March 2026
  • Prof. Tânia Gaspar (EPCV)
• Ethics of Care: Foundations for a More Humanised Social Intervention – May 2026
• Prof. Maria João Silveira (ECATI)

Short Courses for Families – Legion of Good Will Theme: Strengthening Bonds and Valuing Family Knowledge

• Paths to Dialogue with Children – January 2026
  • Prof. Fátima Gameiro (ISS/FCSEA)
• How to Manage Stress and Care for Self-image – March 2026
  • Prof. Paula Paulino (EPCV)
• Budget and Family Management – April 2026
  • Prof. Maria João Justino Alves (ECEO)

Organisation

Prof. Hélia Bracons and coordinating colleagues from Lar Santa Clara, IPO, and the Legion of Good Will

Collaboration

Lecturers from Lusófona University representing different areas of expertise.