14 July 2025

As part of the HSN-Impulse lecture series, Prof. Dr Bernd Schwien spoke for the last time as a university lecturer at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences on 8 July 2025. Under the title "More people, less system - How the BTHG is changing the social economy", he addressed the far-reaching consequences of the Federal Participation Act (BTHG) for organisations in the social economy.

The event began with a brief welcome from the President of the university, Prof Dr Jörg Wagner, who took the opportunity to thank Prof Schwien for his many years of commitment to teaching, research and academic self-administration. Prof Schwien's speech marked his official retirement.

In his presentation, he emphasised how the BTHG introduces a fundamental change in perspective: The focus is no longer on the organisation, but on people and their individual needs. Practised inclusion, participation, person-centredness, beneficiaries and assistance will characterise the future concepts of empowering interaction. In practice, this means new requirements in terms of control, financing and cooperation between social expertise and management - topics that Prof. Schwien has significantly shaped in teaching and research over many years.

The HSN-Impulse lecture series brings together current social issues with scientific expertise and is aimed at students, specialists and interested parties from administration, practice and civil society.

Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences would like to thank Prof Dr Bernd Schwien for his many years of dedicated work - and wishes him all the best for the next stage of his life.