Research Themes
Research Theme ‘People on Move’
The research theme addresses Christian social work with refugees, internally displaced persons and migrants. It aims to develop a deeper understanding of who are ‘people on the move’ as a phenomenon in different contexts and the current practice of diaconia and the churches with them.
The thematic publication ‘People on the Move: stories from churches and faith based organisations in Central and Eastern Europe’ with methodology, data analysis, commentary and summary has been produced by the interdiac research group with a commentary and edited by Dr. Ulla Siirto (Finland).
Research Theme ‘Youth on the Margins’
This theme gained urgent significance due to the growing number of young people who find themselves in the margins of society, facing an insecure future. It has developed research in different national contexts together with marginalised young people and address the question, how can diaconal youth work support and empower young marginalised people.
The publication, ‘Voices of the young people in the “M” A Study of Youth Diaconia in six interdiac member organisations in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia’ brings together the voices of the young people and professional youth workers from Armenia, Estonia, Georgia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine. The full text of the report text with methodology, and data was put together with summary conclusions was edited by Dr. Joukko Porka.
Research Theme ‘Ecclesiology & the theological understanding of Diaconia’
The research theme addresses ecumenical and inter-confessional diversity and the need for a deeper dialogue about different traditions and contemporary applications. It responds to the growing need for a deeper dialogue about different Christian traditions and their contemporary applications.
The thematic publication “Ecclesiology and the Theology of Diaconia and Christian Social Practice – Case Studies from Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia” is one outcome of this research initiative, which was undertaken in 2019-2020. The text was produced by desk-researchers in 6 countries and processed and edited by Em. Prof. dr. Herman Noordegraaf (Protestant Theological University, the Netherlands).
