Transition to New Horizons – International Perspectives on Mentoring and Civic Engagement

In April 2026, Senior Lecturer Lina Nybjörk and Project Researcher Ann Backman participated in the 16th Nightingale Network Meeting, themed Transition to New Horizons, hosted by the University of Girona in Spain. The participation was made possible through Erasmus+ staff mobility and aimed to strengthen international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the development of university-based mentoring programmes.

The Nightingale, or Näktergalen, programme is a mentoring initiative that brings together university students and children and young people, with the aim of promoting social inclusion, educational equity, and mutual learning. The programme is firmly embedded in academic environments and combines civic engagement with pedagogical reflection. In Finland, the Nightingale programme is implemented at Novia University of Applied Sciences and the University of Helsinki, and internationally it forms part of a growing network of higher education institutions across Europe and globally.

Lina Nybjörk and Ann Backman at the University of Girona.

Structure and Content of the Network Meeting

The University of Girona hosted the network meeting, which gathered coordinators, researchers, teachers, and students from several European countries. The programme included lectures, presentations of national Nightingale programmes, and interactive workshops. The network meeting was opened by Ignasi Rodriguez-roda Layret (Vice-Rector), who highlighted the strong connection between academic studies and voluntary work at the University of Girona and also inaugurated the celebration of the Nightingale Network’s 20th anniversary.

Opening of the network meeting by the Vice Dean of the University of Girona.

The first keynote lecture was delivered by Julie Waddington (University of Girona) and focused on Funds of Knowledge and Identity: Applications for Mentoring Programmes. The lecture emphasized the importance of mentors and educators understanding how individuals’ life experiences, social contexts, and linguistic resources shape identity and action. Particular attention was given to the role of language as a core component of identity, a factor of crucial importance in mentoring within multicultural contexts. The lecture offered both theoretical depth and practical inspiration.

Later that day, the various Nightingale programmes were presented, providing a broad overview of how mentoring is organised and implemented across different countries. The presentations highlighted both shared challenges and contextual differences, as well as opportunities for development and collaboration. A global perspective was added through a video greeting from a Nightingale-inspired programme in Ghana.

Pedagogical Perspectives and Development Work

The second day began with a lecture by Cecilie Ellefsen (NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology) entitled Literacy discourse in social work education – why and how?. The lecture explored how narratives and literature can be used in social work education to deepen understanding of social issues, clients’ experiences of service systems, and the roles of professionals. Through the analysis of narrative texts, students can develop empathy and critical reflection, which is directly relevant to mentoring practice as well.

A subsequent workshop, Developing the emergent purpose by tapping into the potential of a system, focused on the future and development potential of the Nightingale programme. Discussions centered on the programme’s purpose, unique characteristics, and potential, as well as on how new development pathways can be identified within a complex system. These discussions generated several concrete ideas for continued development, benchmarking, and future project and research collaborations, both within the Nordic region and across Europe. Opportunities for increased student exchange, both digitally and through physical mobility, were identified as a particularly important area for development.

Lunch at the University.

Learning Environment and Societal Engagement

The University of Girona is located in the historic centre of the city and offers a unique combination of cultural heritage and modern academic activity. The workshops were held, among other venues, at the Faculty of Education and Psychology and within the university’s historic surroundings, contributing to an inspiring learning environment. An evening event brought together mentors and mentees and concretely illustrated the societal significance of mentoring through encounters across generations and roles.

Workshop session with the network.

Reflections and Conclusions

Participation in the network meeting provided deeper insight into how mentoring can be integrated into higher education and how voluntary work can serve as a central component of universities’ societal missions. The visit resulted in new ideas for the development of mentor education at Novia, as well as in valuable international contacts with potential for future collaboration and research.

We also gained a broader understanding of higher education systems in other countries, while simultaneously sharing experiences from Novia, the Finnish higher education system, and our work with students, mentors, and RDI activities. The network meeting in Girona strengthened both international cooperation and our own operations, and confirmed the value of long-term, international learning processes in mentoring and social inclusion.

The project at Novia is funded by the Brita Maria Renlund Foundation and the Swedish Cultural Foundation.

Celebrations with mentors, mentees and the Nightingale Network.

Links:

https://nightingalementoring.mau.se/

https://www.helsinki.fi/sv/vetenskapsfostran/barn-unga-och-familjer/mentorsprogrammet-naktergalen

https://www.novia.fi/nyheter/nyhet/naktergalen-mentorskap-som-gor-skillnad-for-bade-barn-och-studerande
https://novialia.novia.fi/bloggar/fui-bloggen/mentorskapsprogrammet-naktergalen-mentorskap-som-gor-skillnad-for-bade-barn-och-studerande-

Reseskildringen har godkänts för publicering av Novias redaktionsråd 15.4.2026.

ISSN: 2670-028X