International Network Diaconia

Through international cooperation and our alumni work, a lively network of diaconal institutions and universities has emerged with educational and training opportunities, project supports, exchange of experts and expertise.

The curriculum for a BA study program in Diaconia was developed jointly by experts and universities in Africa, Asia and Germany. Accreditation of a degree program based on this curriculum in all three regions is being sought and supported by the UEM. This shall enable a lively, international exchange of lecturers and students with mutual recognition of courses and degrees. In October 2023, the first degree program was implemented at Tumaini University Dar es Salaam College (TUDARCo) in Tanzania. The BA program in Diakonia offers a strong connection between practice and theory.

At the request of universities, the UEM arranges senior lecturers for temporary teaching assignments at the universities in the network.

Learn more about the Senior Experts of the UEM!

The ICDM network currently has about 65 members  in three continents, most of them are graduates of the International Master Course in Diaconic Management (IMADM). The network has developed association structures with an international board, regional as well as professional working groups, and it organizes regular lectures and workshops. ICDM members are closely connected to the work of the International Diaconia of the UEM and serve with their expertise as central contact persons for the diaconical work of the member churches. The ICDM meets annually, digitally, hybrid or in presence to learn from each other about global developments in the field of diaconia, to consult with each other, and to update each other on the latest scientific knowledge through academic presentations. The annual meetings in presence are in joint responsibility with the Institute for Diaconic Science and Diaconic Management at Bielefeld University, funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and supported by the UEM.

Learn more on the website of the ICDM Network.

German Region 

• Evangelische Hochschule Darmstadt (EHD)
• Evangelische Hochschule Rheinland-Westfalen-Lippe, Bochum (EvH - RWL)
• Fachhochschule der Diakonie, Bielefeld (FHdD)
• Institut für Diakoniewissenschaft und Diakoniemanagement der Universität Bielefeld (IDWM)

African Region

• Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Sciences, Huye, Rwanda (PIASS)
• Kolowa Technical Training Institute (KOTETI)
• Stellenbosch University, South Africa
• Tumaini Dar es Saalam College, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (TUDARCo)

Asia Region

• Duta Wacana Christian University, Yogyakarta, Indonesien (UKDW)
• Nommensen HKBP University, Medan, Indonesien
• Satya Wacana Christian University, Salatiga, Indonesien (UKSW)
• Sekolah Deaconess College, Balige, Indonesien
• Silliman University Dumaguete, Philippines
• Theologische Hochschule Jakarta, Indonesien (STT)
• Theological College of Lanka, Sri Lanka (TCL)