Students cooperate with The Foreigners' and Integration Advisory Council: shared commitment for increased political participation
How can the political participation of people with migration and refugee experience in Würzburg be sustainably increased? Students at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) enrolled in the international master's programme in Social Work with Refugees and Migrants (MRM) addressed this question. In a project with the Foreigners' and Integration Advisory Council of the City of Würzburg (AIW), the students developed innovative concepts to make it easier for people with migration experience to get involved in advisory council work.
The aim was to develop strategies to attract new candidates for the advisory council and increase participation in the upcoming elections in July this year. During the past winter semester 2025/26, a group of fourteen students from six countries developed practical approaches as new ideas for the advisory council.
Professor Petra Daňková, junior professor for international social work at the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, accompanied the project: "For the students, it was a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application while contributing to the promotion of political participation among people with refugee and migration experience in Würzburg." The group presented the results at the plenary meeting of the Foreigners' and Integration Advisory Council in Würzburg City Hall.
Election of the Foreigners' and Integration Advisory Council
Colette Steder, chairwoman of the AIW, is delighted about the collaboration, as it contributes to political participation: "The AIW is elected by Würzburg citizens with a migrant background in parallel with the local elections. The election offers an excellent opportunity to experience political co-determination and to bring the opinions and views of migrants in Würzburg to the attention of the administration and the city council."
Through interviews and group discussions, the students gained insights into the needs of eligible voters and developed measures to make potential candidates aware of the work of the advisory council. They put these plans into concrete terms in the form of public relations templates with a focus on personal encounters and social media. In addition, the students developed important skills in the areas of project management and teamwork. "As a social work student, it was particularly important to me to support the AIW election, as active participation is essential for shaping the future of our field," reflected Grace Mankosah Ayisi, one of the students involved.
About the THWS master's degree programme MRM and the Foreigners' and Integration Advisory Council of the City of Würzburg
The English-taught master's degree programme International Social Work with Refugees and Migrants (MRM) is a practice-oriented degree programme with international focus. Through theoretical and practical training, it prepares students to support people with migration of refugee experience.
The Foreigners' and Integration Advisory Council of the City of Würzburg (AIW) represents the interests of people with migration experience in Würzburg and advises the city council and the city administration on migration.
About THWS
The Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Bavaria and has driven teaching and applied research since it was founded in 1971. With about 9,200 students, more than 60 degree programmes, and two doctoral centers, THWS covers a broad spectrum ranging from technology to economics and social sciences, language and design. At the moment, around 500 students in 23 degree programmes are completing dual cooperative studies at THWS. Not only is our University rooted in the region, it also has a strong international focus, which is reflected in numerous collaborations and exchange programmes worldwide and not least in a versatile English-taught degree programmes.
Contact:
Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt
Faculty of Applied Social Sciences
Professor Petra Daňková
Münzstraße 12
97070 Würzburg
Foreigners' and Integration Advisory Council Würzburg
Ausländer- und Integrationsbeirat Würzburg
Geschäftsleitung
Johannes Schrenker
auslaenderbeirat[at]stadt.wuerzburg.de
Press contact:
Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt
Angela Kreipl
Münzstraße
97070 Würzburg
+49 931 3511-8354