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European societies have become more ethnically diverse in the last few decades. But ethnic diversity often goes hand in hand with the spatial segregation of some neighborhoods. Social work institutions and projects are concentrated in these neighborhoods as well. As such, it is necessary for social work to focus on intergroup relations in these diverse neighborhoods. Through the example of Dortmund, Germany, this article discusses how the challenges of diversity can be integrated into the social work curriculum, and it discusses the literature on intergroup contact and spatially segregated diversity. To demonstrate the practical challenges of a diverse neighborhood, the example of Nordstadt, a highly diverse neighborhood in Dortmund, is discussed briefly. The article also examines a specialized study program at Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts as an example of how social workers can be educated to cope with the challenges of diversity.
Keywords: Diversity, Segregation, Social Work, Education, Dortmund
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