Alternatives to Convergence?

How does professional education for future social workers and social pedagogues in one country compare with other countries? What happened in Germany, Denmark and French-speaking Belgium during the years 1989-2004, starting with the year when an EU Directive laid down common rules for the mutual recognition of higher education qualifications? And which lessons may English and British academics, policy-makers, employers and unionists draw from this European material? Are social work and social pedagogy bound to converge as they did in Germany? Or are there Alternatives to Convergence? Did professional education in the countries examined show signs of Europeanisation? These are some of the questions which readers will be able to explore in this book. After working in the European Commission (Sport Unit) (2001-14) Jacob Kornbeck recently joined the Secretariat of the European Data Protection Supervisor (Policy and Consultation Unit). His part-time research interests cover a range of policy areas, often involving transnational comparisons. Apart from social work and social pedagogy he has written and lectured on various aspects of sports policy, in particular anti-doping and athletes' rights, as well as health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA). Jacob holds degrees from German and British universities. This book is the slightly reworked text of his doctoral thesis (University of London). Following Inspiration from Brussels: the European Union and Sport (published by EHV Academic Press in 2013), this is his second book.