Hope in Action
A course on international diakonia
HOPE IN ACTION is a three-week course that immerses participants in the diverse practice of diakonia and development work carried out by churches, with a primary focus on experiences and challenges from the Global South. Through theological exploration and practical case studies, the course offers a comparative lens – using Danish examples to reflect on and enrich understanding. In an intercultural and ecumenical setting, participants will gain training and inspiration on how to put Christian hope into action in own contexts.
The course takes place from April 20 to May 10, 2026, at the Diaconal College in Aarhus, Denmark.
The course is offered with support from Center for Church-Based Development (CKU) and Y’s Men International, Region Denmark, who sponsors participants, and in collaboration with a number of Danish diaconal or development organisations. (The course is a re-thinking of a former three-months course, which used to take place every autumn).
What is the content of the course?
The course will be a mixture of lectures, workshops, dicussions, knowledge sharing, and fieldtrips. The curricula will cover the following main topics:
- The DNA of diakonia – theological foundations
and core values. - Postcolonial perspectives on doing diakonia in international partnerships.
- The role of diakonia and the diaconal church in changing societies faced with both local and global challenges.
- Expressions and methodologies of diakonia – exploring and learning from good practice cases.
- Diaconal leadership and preparation for sharing learnings from the course with your organisation.
We will also make time for some social and cultural activities.
A detailed course programme will be available early 2026.
If you apply in collaboration with a partner organisation, we suggest adding time for an internship or project activities.
Who teaches at the course?
The course will be taught by a diverse team of Danish and international scholars and practitioners from the Diaconal College, CKU, and other diaconal institutions. Guest lecturers from partner organisations in the Global South contribute online and in person.
Who can participate and how to apply?
The course is targeted younger professionals and volunteers in civil society organisations and churches wishing to deepen their diaconal practice in development work.
Requirements:
- Aged around 20-35.
- Active involvement in diaconal/church based development work.
- Aspirations to take on a leading role in diaconal/church based development work upon returning home.
- At least upper intermediate level English language skills and academic abilities to complete a full-time study.
- Participation in the full course programme, including extracurricular activities, such as morning assemblies, practical chores, and social happenings.
Apply by January 15, 2026. Spaces are limited to maximum 18 participants.
NOTE! We reserve the right to cancel the course, if we do not have enough applicants by application deadline.
Pricing and funding-possibilities
The price is 18.500 DKK and includes:
- Accomodation in private room with full board.
- Teaching fee and materials.
- Excursions and cultural activities.
Travel, insurance and visa expenses are not included.
NOTE! Members of CKU and Y’s Men can apply for funding for a participant from their partner organisation.
How to apply
Most applicants apply in collaboration with a Danish partner organisation, who can sponsor or apply for funding of the course fee. If you are able to finance course participation in another way, you are welcome to apply without a Danish partner, as long as you are actively involved in diaconal/church based development work.
About visa
If you need a visa to come to Denmark, allow good time for the application proces, which can be complicated and time consuming – and unfortunately without guarantee of succes.
The Diaconal College will provide applicants with an invitation for the visa application process and be at general assistance. The participant (likely in collaboration with a Danish partner organisation) are him/herself responsible for driving the process and for meeting the required demands.
Find all relevant information here:
More info
If you have any questions or need more information, don’t hesitate to contact:
Jeanette Nielsen
Course Director
hopeinaction@diakonhojskolen.dk
+45 2750 6071
What have former participants gained from the course?
Over the years we have received many encouraging reports on the impact of the course on participants, and how their organisations and communities have benefitted from it.
The Diaconal College have been running an international course since 1998. That means that our participants are often able to identify younger versions of current leaders in their organisations back home (or even parents) on the photos of each class hanging in the one of the hallways of the college.
Below you will find a few testimonials of recent participants (at our former three-months course), and in the video in the next section participants of Hope in Action 2022 share their experiences and learnings from the course and their time in Denmark.