Professional changes and new challenges in the field of international aid. The case of a professional master on educational inclusion

Today, the international scenario seems to be characterised by crucial political and cultural changes, as well as increasing levels of tension and conflicts that seem to take form in actual humanitarian emergencies. This scenario suggests to different types of organisations that operate in the fields of both humanitarian and development aid not only to re-consider traditional agendas and approaches, but also seek professional and competences that are ever more capable of interpreting political and contemporary social phenomena while creating planning skills in line with changes of the aid contexts. By including international development aid in the Third Mission, the strategic plan of the University of Bologna (2016-2018) offers a major scenario that is significant in the preparation of innovative proposals that can help prepare new professionals to work in very complex contexts. The article discusses the role of universities in taking on these challenges while contributing in the training of professionals committed to development aid work both in Italy and abroad. In this context, the Master embraces different potential professional and work contexts that range from development policies, humanitarian aid and international cooperation in a multicultural setting and hospitality policies aimed at minors and vulnerable persons nationwide. The last goal of the contribution is to consider qualitative social research as a decisive instrument to build in a procedural and contextual manner sustainability and effectiveness of the educational proposal. To that end, it was decided to accompany the educational course with a brief empirical survey aimed at reconstructing the perspective and positions of certain privileged participants who work in major professional and institutional contexts of reference (such as NGOs, humanitarian aid organisations, development agencies, social private services)