When we examine the different experiences that we are living through and especially at how these experiences affect people who are marginalised and diaconal workers engaged with them, we can see that we face a deep crisis.

When we listen to the experience of people suffering from poverty, violence and trauma, it deepens our understanding that we are face a crisis because we are living:

- in the time of war and frozen conflict, not only in the Ukraine and the Middle East but much more widely in Africa, Asia and Latin America,

- in the time of the climate crisis and the ecological crisis which are made worse as we damage and destroy as well as pollute and poison the natural world.

- in the time when large numbers of people and communities are marginalised, which makes daily life for many extremely difficult yet at the same time, the affluence of a minority is growing.

- in the time of divisive and populist politics which resonates with a lack of trust in political structures,

- in the time when economies may grow, but inequality increases and income from employment does not support life together and where young people often do not expect to have the possibility for education leading to stable employment,

- in the time when some people are forced to move, and others are forced to stay – but also when people need to flee or to find a place for a better life in a time of conflict, increasing poverty or climate disaster.

In this CODE Forum we want to focus on the theology and practice of local diakonia in the face of multiple crises. Therefore we invite contributions which may be the fruit of research or reflected practice, or which may propose new processes or a workshop which can be shared internationally. 
In particular we invite participants to submit proposals for contributions along three main thematic lines:

1. The role of Diaconia in diverse communities and in response to crisis phenomena.

Contributions should reflect the diversity of understandings of community according to contexts and the role of the church and/or Christian social practice in relation to the crisis phenomena described above. In particular it is important to reflect on the contributions to such topics as food sustainability and security, the experience of working in an increasingly unequal society or in contexts of civil conflict or war. CODE Forum would also welcome proposals for analysis and the development of practice related to urban or rural space.

2. Diaconia and Christian social practice in a time of political polarisation.

The CODE Forum will reflect the political engagement of diaconia and Christian social practice in a time when political actors cast doubt on democratic ideals and human rights (broadly understood). The role of diaconia and indeed the church in relation to the perceived lack of trust in democratic processes and structures also should be analysed and new practice highlighted.

3. Diaconal identity in a multifaith context

Contributions are invited to reflect on Christian social practice in a multi-faith or secular environment and to explore interfaith action. CODE Forum members have explored the question of diaconal identity in this connection and especially in work with undocumented people, asylum seekers and refugees. The role of diaconia and the church in the sanctuary movement should also be a subject of this thematic work.

Reports of CODE Forum Activities

Members of the CODE Forum have collaborated on four projects:

1. A learning and research project on Diaconal identity in work with refugees and asylum seekers which is co-ordinated by Durham University, UK.
2.  A once-a-semester international webinar on a topical theme, which in 2025 – 26 focussed on Food. It involves seven partners, and the host is Diak, Finland.
3. An Erasmus+ programme – Diversity, Inclusion and Social Cohesion (DISCO) coordinated by Diak, Finland
4. The production of an edited book on Modern Slavery, Diaconia and Reparations co-ordinated by Erica Meijers (PThU, The Netherlands).

There will be space and time for hearing about these projects and for developing other proposals for common projects.

Future CODE Forum Planning Workshop

CODE Forum 2026 will end with a workshop concerning the future development of the common research and learning project(s). New proposals from the participants in the Forum will also be identified and specific follow up planned. The workshop will also consider the structure of the Forum and existing programmes such as the webinar series. The workshop will be on Saturday 19th of September and ends at lunch time. Those interested in joining this workshop when they register for the Forum should include the Future Planning Workshop.

13.00 Registrations
14.00 Visiting Programme (optional)

An opportunity to discover Bielefeld, gain first-hand impressions, and connect with the city in light of our forum theme.

The meeting point for the visiting programme will be announced at a later stage, as it depends on the locations we are able to arrange. It will, however, be either at the university or in a central area close to the city centre.

18.00 Evening Snack & Debriefing the Visits

20.30 End of the programme

General Information:

- Venue: Bielefeld University campus. The specific building at the university is called "Gebäude X", Universitätsstraße 24, 33615 Bielefeld. On Thursday we meet in Room E0-222.

- Language and accessibility: The forum will be conducted in English. All facilities are accessible and barrier-free.

Participation:

- Maximum number of participants: Registrations are processed in the order received. Once the maximum of 60 participants is reached, this will be indicated here. A waiting list will be maintained thereafter.

- Current registration status: Registration open

- Participation fee: (including conference catering, Lunch on Thursday & Friday, Dinner on Thursday, Evening Snack on Wednesday):

- Billing: The IDWM / Bielefeld University will bill the sender. Therefore the billing address is requested during the registration process.

- Visa: If you need a written invitation for a Visa application or for other reasons, please write to Tony Addy.

You also find official information on the University's Website.

By train:
Every hour an intercity train on the route from Cologne/Bonn to Berlin stops at Bielefeld Hbf. Then you take "Stadtbahnlinie 4" with direction "Lohmannshof" or "Universität" till "Universität" (7 minutes).

By car:
You can take the A2 (Hanover <=> Dortmund). At "Dreieck Bielefeld" on the A33 towards "Bielefeld Zentrum", exit "Bielefeld Zentrum", towards Zentrum on the B61, exit "Universität", way over Stapenhorststr., Kurt-Schumacher-Str. (is signposted). 

Parking is available on the university campus. Several parking areas are located directly around the main university building.

Travel by air:
The nearest airports are Paderborn/Lippstadt (60 km), Hannover (110 km), Düsseldorf (190 km) and Frankfurt (320 km).
Both Düsseldorf and Frankfurt airports have long-distance train stations. From there, as well as from other major German cities, Bielefeld can be reached by regular train connections (IC or ICE), usually running at hourly intervals.

To check the public transport connections of your chosen accommodation, please click here. When searching for directions, enter ‘Universität, Bielefeld’ as your destination.

Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation (please book at your own expense!). 

Information and recommendations for booking accommodation

• For cost-effective accommodation, we recommend using common portals such as airbnb, booking.com or other common booking platforms.
• Note: As a major trade fair will take place nearby Bielefeld at the same time, accommodation in the city may be limited. For this reason, we are unfortunately not able to reserve room contingents or provide reliable individual recommendations. We therefore strongly encourage you to book as early as possible.
• The main venue will be Bielefeld University. As Bielefeld itself is geographically quite spread out, we recommend checking locations carefully on a map when booking.
• Accommodations do not necessarily have to be located on Tramline 4. Within Bielefeld, it is sufficient if they are located on one of the four tram lines. Using buses for longer distances within Bielefeld would delay daily arrivals.
• The university is easily accessible both from the city centre and from areas connected by the local four tramlines. To check the public transport connections, please click here. When searching for directions, enter ‘Universität, Bielefeld’ as your destination.
• In addition to staying within Bielefeld, it may be worth considering near towns with direct train connections, such as Gütersloh, Halle (Westfalen), Steinhagen or Rheda-Wiedenbrück, as well as smaller locations such as Isselhorst or Avenwedde. These are well connected to Bielefeld main station, from where the university can be reached directly via tram line 4 (“Universität”). In many cases, overall travel times are comparable to accommodation within Bielefeld itself, while offering greater availability and lower prices.