Against the backdrop of the social situation in Europe combined with the rise of populist currents and the digitalization of all areas of life, the topic of "social participation" is gaining in importance. In line with the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy, the project was designed to fight social exclusion and poverty and to promote active participation in society for all. The central subject of the project was not only the expansion of professional competencies but also the examination of the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in our partner countries. By comparing European countries with Germany in relation to the inclusion of people with disabilities, own attitudes and attitudes should be reflected. In cooperation with the "European Working Group" of the "Federal Association of Training Centers for Social Care Assistance (Heilerziehugnspflege)" in Germany (BAG HEP), an inclusive European Study Week "Shaping the Future. Assistence and self-determination 5.0" was held in Oradea/Romania in fall 2019, which focussed on the increasing digitalization of all areas of life and thus also on work in social and health care.
We have carried out the project because we want our trainees and teaching staff to be able to participate in the increasing internationalization of vocational training in the social and health care sector. As part of our quality development and internationalization, we strive to develop the international professional competences of our trainees and teaching staff. People with disabilities and other needs for assistance are more dependent than others on a social environment that has internalized tolerance and appreciation of difference. Likewise, the ability to integrate and include are essential personnel competencies that our trained professionals and vocational training staff must possess. These basic competences flow into society and positively influence our social interaction. Thus, in addition to teaching the basic professional competences, we would like to achieve an expanded teaching of intercultural and linguistic competences and lay a foundation for anti-biais pedagogy. Getting involved in encounters always has to do with one's own (professional) identity.