These members of ESAN are involved in various projects (concerning youth, seniors, fight against poverty, integration,…) promoting social action in Europe and thus encouraging the co-operation between social-political players and social work.

Long experience and close collaboration, especially close exchange between social organisations as well as with other networks and public authorities, have made this network successful.

This European dimension should also be brought into Higher Education and vocational training places for social work. Compulsory work placements in the social field are now part of the professional experience requirements. Why not take this opportunity to do a work placement in another European country?

In order to carry out this ambition, the present “internship exchange forum” may help. Giving appropriate information about organisations’ wishes and requirements on the one hand, and about trainees’ expectations and skills on the other, it will ensure a cohesion between them.

This “internship exchange forum” is therefore a place for students in social issues or in any other course of studies willing to find a work placement in this sector, and social organisations to meet.

This will also be an opportunity for ESAN members to become known by students - the future labour force of the social sector - and for education and training institutes to set up exchanges between them.