Forced Migration and Asylum Paradoxes - in Conversation with Judith Kohlenberger

For this final episode of our current focus, we have a closer look on the topics of forced migration and asylum in Europe from a theoretical perspective. With support from WU Vienna’s Judith Kohlenberger, we explore similarities and differences between refugee movements in 2015 and 2022. Moreover, we ask the question of what Europe can learn from the current situation. Judith Kohlenberger is a researcher at the institute for social policy at the university and author of Austria’s science book of the year 2023 “Das Fluchtparadox” – in English “The forced migration paradox". The interview has been recorded on 22 June 2023.

Daniela Mamaliga, director of Moldovan organisation "Partnerships for Every Child", provides us with insights on how the war in Ukraine influenced civil society in her home country, how youth work changed in the past years and what to expect in the future.

Join us as we delve into the inspiring story of Ute Bock Refugee Project, an organization founded by the renowned Austrian educator and civil society activist, Ute Bock. Focussing on education, housing, immediate care and other areas, the initiative provides vital support for individuals forced to flee their homes. In this episode, we are joined by Maren Riebe of the Ute Bock Refugee Project. Together, we explore the impact of the war in Ukraine on organizations supporting refugees in Austria, and discuss the urgent need for ongoing support. We also consider potential solutions to improve the situation for refugees in Austria, and highlight the vital role of organizations like Ute Bock Refugee Project in creating positive change.

In this episode, we have a closer look on the role of international aid organizations in supporting local social ecosystems. Andreas Knapp, chair of Austrian foundation Nachbar in Not and head of interational aid at Caritas Austria provides insights on the situation in Ukraine and how support from Austria is being coordinated. Nachbar in Not, which translates to neighbor in need, is a collaboration between the Austrian’s public broadcasting station ORF and the largest social service providers. The foundation aims to provide quick and impactful disaster relief and has been up-and-running for 30 years.

In our new focus, we explore how the ongoing attach on the Ukraine is shaping civil societies within the country, in neighbouring areas but also in whole Europe. Artem Kornetskyy, head of School of Mindful Entrepreneurship, will tell us more on how the situation for civil society organizations in Ukraine is developing. The interview has been recorded on January 26, 2023.

Live from Social Impact Award Summit 2022 in Vienna with Social Entrepreneur Kate Lee! We talk about social inclusion, what it means to move walls in your head and finding a good balance between listening to yourself and listening to others.

Freitag mit Sitz in Zürich ist eine der bekanntesten Produzentinnen von Upcycling-Taschen im deutschsprachigen Raum. Weniger bekannt - intern setzt Freitag auf eine kreisförmige Unternehmensorganisation. Bereits seit einigen Jahren wird die holokratische Organisationsform verwendet. Wo Tücken in der Einführung von Holocracy lagen, wie das Unternehmen damit umgegangen ist und wo Potenzial zu Weiterentwicklungen liegt - das besprechen wir in dieser Folge.

Sylvia Stifter, Rita Mayrhofer und Manuela Gusterschitz von der niederösterreichischen Montessori-Schule KreaMont erklären, wie und warum die Schule soziokratische Ansätze nutzt. Darüber hinaus erfahren wir, wie sich die Organisation auf den Schulalltag auswirkt, wie sich das ganze entwickelt hat und natürlich noch einiges mehr.

Was sind kreisförmige Organisationen? Mit Privatdozentin Dr.in Florentine Maier vom Institut für Nonprofit Management der WU Wien, sowie Mag. Christian Rüther, Unternehmensberater und Experte für derartige Organisationen, sehen wir uns an, warum vielleicht nicht alles einer klassischen hierarchischen Struktur folgen muss, was solche kreisförmigen Organisationen ausmacht, und wie sie eingesetzt werden können.

Our guest for today's episode is Nancy Fraser - Professor of Philosophy and Politics at The New School for Social Research in New York City. During the past summer semester she was the first visiting professor of the International Karl Polanyi Society at WU Vienna. Why the ecological crisis cannot be addressed without taking into account the underlying capitalist structures and inbuilt relations of inequality in our society is going to be discussed in this episode. Enjoy!