On March 27, the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences (FFCS) of the Catholic University of Braga will host the World Social Work Day Celebration, bringing together academics, policymakers, and professionals in the field to reflect on contemporary challenges in social policy.
The initiative is inspired by the international theme proposed by the International Federation of Social Workers for 2026 — “Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A call to unite a divided society” — which invites reflection on the role of social work in promoting social cohesion, dialogue, and solidarity in contexts marked by inequality and social tensions.
The program will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the Opening Session, which will feature speeches by Prof. Catarina Vieira da Silva, Coordinator of the Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Fr. Bruno Nobre, SJ, Director of FFCS, and Dr. João Rodrigues, Mayor of Braga.
At 10:00 a.m., there will be a conference entitled “Public Policies and Social Cohesion: Responding to the Challenges of Contemporary Migration,” given by Dr. Rui Armindo Freitas, Deputy Secretary of State for the Presidency and Immigration.
This will be followed at 10:30 a.m. by a round table discussion on the theme “Migration, Integration, and Social Sustainability: Strategies for the Future,” moderated by Professor Jorge Barbosa. The debate will bring together Dr. Ana Sofia Branco, Deputy Director of Social Security in Lisbon, Prof. Ana Rodrigues, from the University of Minho, and Prof. Mariana Barbosa, from the Portuguese Catholic University. The session will also include a moment of dialogue with the audience.
After the coffee break, at 11:45 a.m., there will be a keynote speech entitled “Cohesion, responsibility, and hope: ways to unite a divided society,” presented by Prof. Ana Oliveira, PhD, from the Faculty of Human Sciences (FCH) of the Catholic University of Lisbon.
The ceremony will also include, at 12:15 p.m., the presentation of the SerSocial Award, an annual distinction that recognizes a leading figure in Social Work in Portugal. In 2026, the honoree will be Prof. Margarida Silva, former professor at the Catholic University of Braga, whose academic and professional career has influenced generations of students and professionals in the field.
The session will end at 12:30 p.m., with a speech by Prof. Paulo Dias, Vice-Rector of the Catholic University of Braga.
With this initiative, the Catholic University reinforces its commitment to promoting academic and public debate on contemporary social challenges, highlighting the role of Social Work in building more just, inclusive, and supportive societies.
Registration | Program
