Social Protection (MSc)
Third International Alumni Seminar: Advancing Social Protection in Germany - Evaluation of Reform Needs and Proposals
Funded by the DAAD German Academic Exchange Service and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the seminar featured expert talks, networking events, field trips, and alumni contributions that highlighted key aspects of social reform policies at both national and international levels. The alumni also had the opportunity to meet with experts from academia, government organizations, and international institutions. These sessions fostered discussions on cutting-edge approaches, ongoing initiatives, and the latest research in the field of social protection.
Day 1: Welcoming Ceremony & Networking Evening
The first day of the Alumni Seminar featured a warm welcoming ceremony followed by networking evening, bringing together alumni, and former students of the MSc Social Protection programe. The alumni were cordially welcomed by Prof. Dr. Michael Sauer (Vice Dean Department for Social Policy and Social Security Studies), Prof. Dr. Simona Helmsmüller (Academic head of the MSc Social Protection), and Professor Jürgen Bode (Vice President for Internationalization and Diversity) .
Day 2: Section I: Setting the Scene–Social Protection in Germany
The official opening session began with a keynote speech on "A Refresher on Current Social Protection Policies in Germany," presented by Nana Musim, an alumna currently working as a civil servant at the Federal Office for Social Security in Germany. This was followed by a World Café, featuring informative discussions on key reforms, including labour market policies, citizen's income, and people-centered services. More input was delivered by Prof. Dr. Matthias Meissner(University of Duisburg-Essen) and Severin Schmidt (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung), who offered valuable insights into the current state, challenges and future direction of Social protection policies in Germany.
Day 3: Development in Germany & Labour Market Integration in Germany
The third day was marked by an interactive itinerary, with alumni visiting not only the History museum (Haus der Geschichte) and the GIZ headquarter in Bonn but also the Jobcenter in Sankt Augustin to gain firsthand insights from a claimant’s perspective. This experience was followed by engaging group work on the German challenges and reforms. Participants also had the opportunity to attend a presentation on Career Paths in Germany for Internationals organized by the the International Office.
Day 4: Social Protection Reforms in the European/International Context
Aligning with the title of day 4, alumni along with students from the 2024-25 batch, visited key EU institutions in Brussels, Belgium. The trip featured insightful presentations from European commision and organizations working on social protection, including the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the German Social Insurance European Representation. Engaging with stakeholders from these organizations provided participants with valuable insights into the role of EU institutions and international bodies in shaping social protection policies across Europe.
Day 5: Bringing Alumni Experiences on Board
In the final day, the seminar concluded with a presentation of group work and an evaluation session, where participants shared their experiences and insights from the week. The event concluded with a farewell to the students and closing words from Prof. Dr. Simona Helmsmüller.
With the successful conclusion of the third international alumni seminar, we look forward to organizing more meaningful events that leverage the expertise of our diverse alumni and continue to contribute to the advancement of social protection.
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