2015 was a year of an unprecedented migration from the Middle East to Europe. Sweden received almost 163,000 asylum applications. The civil society, including the former state church, took a notable responsibility. In a situation where the welfare systems are increasingly strained, and both the welfare state and the majority church are re-regulated, we ask: how does this play out in local contexts? This article reports from a theological action research project within a local parish in the Church of Sweden. The Lutheran church has from year 2000 changed its role to an independent faith denomination. The study describes the situation when the local authority and the parish together run temporary accommodation for young asylum seekers. For the local authority the choice of the church as a collaborator was a strategic choice. For the local parish this occasion verified the mission of the church. Confirming its former role as carrier of societal beliefs and values the Church of Sweden supports the welfare state. At the same time, the church explores a new role as a faith denomination and part of the civil society.
This article explores the advocacy activities of the Church of Sweden. The historical co-optation of the Church by the state, a Lutheran theological heritage, and a trend from "voice to service" within Swedish civil society might discourage stronger political activism by the Church. The following research questions are answered: How does the extent of the advocacy activities of the Church of Sweden, understood as trying to influence politicians and officials and as achieving changes, differ from that of other civil society organizations (CSOs)? What factors explain differences in advocacy activities between the Church of Sweden and the other types of CSOs? How do the types of issues raised by the Church of Sweden through its influence differ from those of other CSOs? The article draws on a large sample (N = 1,150) from a national survey targeting Swedish civil society organizations. It compares the Church of Sweden with other organizations representing diffuse interests (i.e., religious congregations and solidarity organizations) and organizations representing specific interests (i.e., pensioners' organizations). The analysis shows that the historical position of the Church has granted its organizations strength in terms of resources that make them more active in advocacy than comparable organizations representing diffuse interests. The Church of Sweden of the new millennium hence seems to be able to engage more in politics because of, rather than in spite of, its institutional role.
Ideas and concepts about evaluation travel around the globe. Studies of how evaluation models are disseminated, diffused and implemented are important. In this article, we examine an organization with a history of traditions and legitimacy and a successful audit of its own and how it responds to modern concepts of administration where evaluation plays an important role. Based on an analytical framework from organizational theory, we show how an evaluation model has been either adopted, rejected or transformed depending on the local context and consider why central policies have had limited success in its implementation. This article should contribute to a better understanding of the transformation that evaluation undergoes in the journey between and within organizations.
Socialhögskolan i Lund fyller 75 år, detta har firats med olika aktiviteter och nu har vi också glädjen att presentera en jubileumsbok. För två år sedan samlades en redaktion för att dra upp riktlinjerna för vad en sådan bok skulle innehålla och hur arbetsprocessen skulle se ut. Vi kom fram till att två personer skulle ansvara för det operativa arbetet med redaktionen som bollplank. För oss, Anna och Torbjörn, som tog på oss redaktörskapet, har strävan efter att involvera så många som möjligt i arbetet med boken varit viktig. Vi utsåg temaledare, men inom varje tema har det funnits möjligheter för alla medarbetare att meddela intresse att skriva.Boken består av två delar där den ena handlar om Socialhögskolans verksamhet och den andra om olika utvecklingstendenser i socialt arbete. Tanken har varit att texterna ska intressera såväl praktiker som studenter och förhoppningsvis vara användbara i olika typer av ut-och fortbildning.Det har varit både intressant och roligt att arbeta med framtagandet av boken och vi vill inledningsvis tacka alla som har bidragit med texter. Men förutom författare har det också funnits andra som har varit betydelsefulla i arbetsprocessen kring boken. Den ursprungliga redaktionen har varit ett stöd under arbetet, där vi kunnat diskutera tankar och olika överväganden. Denna redaktion bestod av Håkan Jönson, Kerstin Svensson, Marcus Knutagård, Hans Swärd och Lars Harrysson. Vi tackar er alla för värdefull input. Det hade inte blivit någon jubileumsbok om vi inte också fått hjälp med språkgranskning, sättning och formgivning. Stort tack till Mikael Bengtsson, Lars Harrysson och Sandra Jeppsson för all tid ni lagt ner. Vi vill också tacka prefekt Katarina Jacobsson för stöd och uppmuntran.
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