Die Anmeldung endete am 07.4.2026 um 23:59 Uhr

What does it mean to arrive in a foreign country as a young person—alone, without parents, and dependent on unfamiliar institutions? In this international seminar, we explore the complex realities of unaccompanied minors in Europe, with a particular focus on Germany, from a social work and legal perspective.

Bringing together students from Leuphana University and University of Missouri–St. Louis, you will not only study migration and child protection systems—you will experience intercultural collaboration firsthand.

The seminar will include an online preparation session, two in-person teaching days, guided group work, and a final reflection. Together, we examine key questions: Who are unaccompanied minors, and how are they defined legally and socially? How do European welfare states respond to their arrival? What challenges do young people face in asylum procedures, youth care systems, education. How does the integration into a society look like, in which migration is one of the largest points of political debate and migrants face evermore discrimination and threats? Lastly, we will also look at how the European approach compare to that of the United States.

You will develop an action plan—at the level of case work, organizations, policy, or research. Through dialogue, case studies, and critical reflection, you will strengthen your analytical skills while clarifying your own professional stance toward forced migration and social justice.

This seminar is for students who want to think critically, engage internationally, and prepare themselves for responsible social work practice in a world shaped by migration.

Learning goal: By the end of this course, participants will develop a critical, interdisciplinary understanding of the legal, social, and psychological dimensions of unaccompanied minors in Europe, with a particular focus on Germany. They will be equipped to analyze systemic challenges, evaluate policy and practice, and apply trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and rights-based approaches in professional contexts. The objectives are categorized into four professional domains:
A. Knowledge and Understanding: Students will learn to define and differentiate legal terms such as "asylum seeker," "refugee," and "best interests of the child" and understand that these are equally a social construction. They will study the EU Reception Conditions Directive, the German Asylum Procedure Act (AsylVfG), and the German Social Code Book VIII (Child and Youth Care Act) to understand the stages of the asylum and youth care process, including initial reception, clearance practices, age assessment, and legal representation.
B. Analysis and Critical Thinking: A core goal is the comparison of Germany’s approach with other nations, such as Sweden, France, Italy, and the US to identify the different nation states’ approaches towards the UMA. Furthermore, students will analyze how media representations shape public perception and policy, and they will critically evaluate the ethics of current age assessment and placement procedures in the German youth care system.
C. Application and Practice: Participants will practise applying the concepts and principles of social work to case studies. They are expected to design culturally sensitive support plans that integrate legal advocacy, education, and health care. This involves demonstrating relational social work approaches that respect cultural identity and migration history.
D. Reflection and Professional Development: Students must reflect on their own personal and professional biases regarding migration. The final goal is for students to develop an action plan for advocating for the rights of unaccompanied minors within their future professional context.

Weitere Informationen zur Lehrevaluation: https://www.leuphana.de/lehre/qualitaetsmanagement/evaluation-feedback.html