About the conference

Topic

Time and Social Work: Reflections, Changes and Perspectives

 

Time is a key factor in social work. It influences the processes of change, decision-making, planning of interventions and evaluation of their impacts. The conference aims to explore how time aspects influence work with clients, the development of social work as a profession and how time can be used effectively in different contexts of social interventions.

The 800th anniversary of the first written mention of the city of Hradec Králové is also an inspiration, offering a historical perspective on the development of care for the people in need and social policies in a broader time scale.

 

Conference Topics:

 

History and Development of Social Work

• Social work is constantly evolving—from historical forms of poor relief to the development of social institutions and modern approaches. What lessons can we learn from the past? How has the understanding of help and society’s responsibility toward vulnerable groups changed? This session reflects on the historical development of social work with an emphasis on both local and global contexts.

Time as a Factor in Social Interventions

• What is the significance of time in crisis situations? How does it influence the long-term planning of social services, and how is the notion of “quick help” evolving? This session will focus on the temporal dimension of social interventions, including short- and long-term measures, the timing of support, and its effectiveness at various stages of a client’s life.

Intergenerational Perspective in Social Work

• Time shapes generations and their mutual relationships. How does social work reflect generational differences? How can intergenerational solidarity be supported? This session focuses on work with older adults, family relationships, the transfer of experience across generations, and interdisciplinary contexts.

The Future of Social Work – New Challenges and Trends

• What changes await social work in the coming decades? How are new methods, approaches, and tools developing? This session will explore predictions for the future of social work, the impact of technological innovations, and the changing social needs of society.

Prevention in Social Work

• Prevention is one of the key tools in social work. How can social problems be effectively prevented? How are approaches to prevention changing in various areas, such as work with at-risk children, older adults, or socially excluded groups? This session will focus on the temporal dimension of prevention—that is, which steps must be taken in a timely manner to minimize future negative outcomes.

International Section

• This section invites contributions that reflect the thematic areas of the main conference while offering an international or comparative perspective. Topics may include the historical development of social work, time as a factor in interventions, intergenerational approaches, prevention strategies, and future challenges—all viewed through the lens of international social work. We welcome papers that explore global trends, cross-border cooperation, culturally specific practices, and the transfer of knowledge and innovations across countries. Contributions from both international and domestic authors are encouraged.
• This section accepts contributions in English and welcomes the participation of both international and domestic authors.

Graduate Section

Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs Section – Social Work: From the Past to an Innovative Future