Inclusivity, process and product in writing for European social work education

In 2004 the EU funded ‘European Social Work: Commonalities and Differences’ Thematic Network produced an edited volume on pan-European social work. This project is the first of its kind to include contributions from all regions of the EU, represented by original first-hand chapters from a total of 24 countries. This paper firstly considers the Thematic Network as a context for advancing social work education. It then examines some of the process factors involved in such a multi-cultural project, including issues of gender, inclusivity, academic status and ‘voice’. Finally the findings of the project are briefly considered. The paper reflects on the differences that including perspectives from previously neglected regions, such as Central and Eastern Europe, make to current ideas about European commonalities, for example, in relation to shared histories and ideologies.