International Congress Renovabis

About the Congress

The Renovabis International Congress, which has been held annually since 1997, serves to inform and discuss important developments in church and society in Central and Eastern Europe, but also takes up topics of pan-European importance. With the participation of numerous guests from all parts of Europe, the congress has developed into an important forum for dialogue between East and West.

26th International Congress Renovabis 2022: „Departure for a better Life? The Challenge of fair Labour Migration“

This year's International Congress Renovabis will take place on 31 August/1 September 2022 at the Munich School of Philosophy in presence and online. One of the side effects of the Corona pandemic in Germany and other countries in Western Europe was that the often precarious situation of workers from Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe became the focus of public attention. Pictures of meat factories and inhumane accommodation went through the press, further reports dealt with harvest workers from Romania or Poland, and it also became clear that many care workers from Eastern Europe work around the clock for dumping wages. Clearly, Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe is being used as a cheap labour reservoir to fill gaps in the economic and social sectors of Western Europe. However, a closer look reveals that the picture also has other facets. Many labour migrants financially support their families at home and thus contribute to improving living conditions there; many also return home permanently. There are also examples of balanced working conditions through agreements between the host and home countries, with church institutions such as Caritas acting as role models.

Labour migration must therefore be viewed from several sides – it is not only to be seen negatively, but can even develop into a win-win situation. This year's congress, with the title „Departure for a better Life? The Challenge of Fair Labour Migration“, will approach the phenomenon with lectures, discussion rounds, working groups and visits to hotspots of labour migration in Munich. It is planned that the congress will be held as a face-to-face event with about 200 participants; online participation will also be possible.