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The natural environment and sustainability play an increasingly important role in social work as a discipline and profession. This is often described as the ecosocial paradigm. Even though the paradigm shares important ethical foundations with human rights–based social work, the connection between both is rarely examined in social work scholarship. This article addresses the gap by asking the following questions: How is the ecosocial paradigm linked to the human rights discourse in social work? What is the environmental dimension of human rights, and what implications does it have for social work? How can a human rights–based social work encompass the environmental dimension? In response, the article argues for the integration of new environmental perspectives into human rights–based social work. First, it shows that social work needs to refocus on collective human rights, such as the right to a healthy environment, recently recognized by the United Nations. Regarding the rights of children and youth, good examples of social work advocacy can already be found. Second, research knowledge and practice within the ecosocial paradigm are valuable resources for human rights–based social work, mainly regarding environmental justice and the principle of sustainability. Ultimately, it is only possible to strive for the realization of human rights, social change, and an inclusive and sustainable future if the natural environment is integrated as a social work concern.

Sustainability in the context of labour market and unemployment policies is usually understood as mere cost-efficiency. The environmental and social dimensions of sustainability are missing. This article discusses the meaning of sustainability in this field of policy and practice in a medium-size city in Finland. It focuses on services for unemployed people and the role of social work. The paper aims to contribute to the knowledge base on sustainable welfare in a Nordic context and on ecosocial work in Finland. It is structured by two main questions. 1) How is ‘sustainability’ perceived and interpreted in the context of services for unemployed people? 2) What potential for eco-social policies can be identified in the field? The data was collected through expert interviews with various actors in the field. The data analysis followed the constructivist grounded theory approach, as well as sequential analysis according to objective hermeneutics. The results reveal a number of valuable ideas and concepts for future eco-social policies. However, an integrated eco-social approach was largely missing from the field. The analysis further reveals a fragmented picture of numerous meanings, interpretations, and concepts of sustainability. This leads to the conclusion that social work needs to clarify its own role regarding sustainability, drawing on the concept of its third mandate. This will enable social workers to become sustainability experts at the local level – for and with their clients. peerReviewed

Labour market and unemployment policies in particular are rarely connected to issues of environmental sustainability. In the present article, the link is examined by focusing on ecosocial innovations in four European countries – Finland, Germany, Belgium and Italy. These innovations are small-scale associations, cooperatives or organizations that create new integrative practices combining both social and environmental goals. By asking how their social practices are linked with labour market and unemployment policies, we explore the scope for new ecosocial policies. The results of this cross-national case study lead to three lessons to be learnt for a future ecosocial welfare state: at the sectoral level, organizational level and individual level. In summary, many valuable ideas, instruments and programmes towards sustainability already exist in the field, but they are not yet integrated in the current labour market and unemployment policies.

Social human rights have rarely been given attention in social work research or comparative studies on welfare states. The paper aims at filling the gap by analysing the conception of human beings inherent in human rights and in unemployment policy documents in Germany and Finland. Its focus lies on the right to social security, a central norm of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The main question is what impact does the right to social security have on socio-political action in Germany and Finland. The results of the analysis, which was based on the objective hermeneutics, revealed a structural similarity between the conceptions of human beings in both countries. Unemployed people are labelled as deficient and potentially in need of educational measures. Their autonomy is curtailed, sometimes severely. In this sense, the right to social security has hardly any impact. The social work profession in theory and practice should use human rights as a tool against these new forms of oppression. peerReviewed

Social work research and practice that address environmental sustainability have already become prominent. However, a change in unsustainable economic structures is also urgently needed. This study explored emerging opportunities in theory and practice for a sustainable economy that are relevant to the aims of social work. As practical examples, our study concerns ‘ecosocial innovations’, i.e., social innovations that combine ecological and social goals. We analysed how these grassroots innovations in the field of social work reflect crucial shared conceptions of alternative economies. The qualitative data set comprised of 50 ecosocial innovations and six case studies in five European countries. The findings show a rich diversity of ecosocial innovations and describe how they reframe economic purposes, value economic diversity and democratise the economy. We suggest that social work might consider these practices as opportunities for collaboration, especially regarding work with people on the margins of the labour market. ispartof: International Journal Of Social Welfare vol:29 issue:4 pages:378-389 status: Published online

The article contributes to sustainability transition research by indicating the significance of transformative grassroots innovations in the context of social work research. We introduce the integrative concept of ecosocial innovation in order to demonstrate how grassroots innovations can successfully combine social, ecological and economic aspects of a sustainability transition. By ecosocial innovations, we refer to social innovations with a strong ecological orientation (e.g., recycling workshops, urban gardening, participatory unemployment projects and new local economies). The data consists of 50 examples of ecosocial innovations in Finland, Italy, Germany, Belgium and the UK. We investigate how ecosocial innovations interconnect ecological, economic and social goals and study the factors of their integrative crucial capacity. On the basis of qualitative data analysis and thematic categorisation of ecosocial innovations, we identify five integrative practices: diversity of activities, successful networking, addressing new livelihood, focus on food and explicit conceptual work on sustainability. Very often these integrative practices emerge as pragmatic solutions to local needs. For the participants, the ecosocial innovations can be relevant sources for new livelihood and wellbeing beyond the conventional labour market. Foremost, ecosocial innovations are valuable as forerunners for sustainability transition in practice.

Este artigo apresenta o conceito de inovacoes eco-sociais. Conceito que remete para as organizacoes locais ligadas a economia social e solidaria cuja intervencao nao deixa de atender aos desafios sociais e ecologicos, podendo ser vistos como modelos de sucesso na operacionalizacao da sustentabilidade. Baseado num estudo comparativo multi-caso internacional, a partir de uma abordagem do Servico Social, o artigo procura mostrar o trabalho desenvolvido nestas iniciativas, salientando a importância das mesmas. Entrevistas recolhidas junto dos atores locais em quatro paises permitiram identificar sete caracteristicas comuns as diferentes experiencias estudadas. Destaca-se a identificacao de um padrao comum no funcionamento destas inovacoes eco-sociais: uma criativa fusao de trabalho assalariado, voluntariado e emprego subvencionado. Esta combinacao nao e resultado, apenas, de compromissos motivados pela falta recursos, mas, tambem, da adocao de praticas sociais sustentaveis e de bem-estar. O artigo termina com um resumo das principais conclusoes e um sobrevoar do potencial que as inovacoes eco-sociais apresentam para o futuro, podendo, por exemplo, fornecer modelos para um servico social ecologico.

Die Takotsubo-Kardiomyopathie basiert auf einer akut einsetzenden, transienten linksventrikularen Dysfunktion unterschiedlichen Ausmases. Die daraus resultierende Akutsymptomatik, aber auch die elektrokardiographischen Veranderungen sowie der Anstieg myokardialer Biomarker ahneln haufig dem Verlauf eines akuten Myokardinfarkts. Mittels Koronarangiographie kann jedoch ein Gefasverschluss nicht nachgewiesen werden. Es gibt bislang nur wenige Daten uber diese Erkrankung, die uberwiegend aus Fallbeschreibungen und deren Metaanalysen stammen. Die Pathophysiologie ist noch nicht eindeutig geklart. Berichtet wird uber den Fall einer 56-jahrigen Patientin mit typischer Manifestation einer hochsymptomatischen Takotsubo-Kardiomyopathie. Die Verdachtsdiagnose wurde im Rahmen einer Linksherzkatheteruntersuchung unmittelbar nach der Notfallaufnahme gestellt. Bestatigt wurde die Takotsubo-Kardiomyopathie mittels bildgebender Verfahren (Kardio-MRT, Echokardiographie) im Verlauf. Nach Einleitung einer konservativen Therapie konnte die Patientin nach kompletter Wiederherstellung der Herzmuskelfunktion am 12. Tag beschwerdefrei entlassen werden. Die Takotsubo-Kardiomyopathie stellt eine seltene, aber klinisch relevante Differentialdiagnose zum akuten Myokardinfarkt dar, an die vor allem gedacht werden sollte, wenn sich koronarangiographisch kein Verschluss eines Herzkranzgefases zeigt. Trotz insgesamt guter Prognose unter konservativer Therapie sind ernste Komplikationen im Verlauf in bis zu 17,7% aller Falle beschrieben worden, so dass eine intensivmedizinische Versorgung notwendig ist.

In our case report we describe a catheter ablation in a patient with symptomatic, drug-refractory atrial fibrillation using the new CT image integrating mapping technology. Using image integration an arrhythmogenic right inferior pulmonary vein was revealed which was not found during conventional 3-dimensional mapping. Thereby we want to demonstrate potential impacts on safety and effectiveness of ablation strategies using an image integration technology, especially in cases of difficult anatomic variations.

In patients with a low or intermediate probability of a coronary artery disease, ultrafast computer tomography (CT) of the coronary arteries and bypass grafts offer a novel approach for the evaluation of the coronary anatomy. The presented case impressively demonstrated the capability of ultrafast CT to show precisely the extent and localisation of a bypass artery stenosis in a patient with mild chest discomfort but negative stress testing. However, widespread screening of coronary artery disease with non-invasive imaging modalities can not be recommended until validated in larger studies that a complete visualization of all coronary arteries and bypass grafts can be achieved.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by a transient left ventricular dysfunction. The resulting acute symptoms including electrocardiographic changes and elevated myocardial biomarkers often mimic an acute myocardial infarction. However, obstructive coronary artery disease can be excluded by angiography. There is only little information available in the literature. The precise pathophysiology is still unknown.The case of a 56-year-old woman with typical manifestation of a highly symptomatic Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is described. The diagnosis was suspected by angiographic absence of obstructive coronary disease. During the following days, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy was confirmed by cardio-MRI and echocardiography. The patient was treated with drugs. 12 days after admission, cardiac function was completely restored. The patient was discharged without showing any symptoms.Although takotsubo cardiomyopathy is rather rare, it should be considered as a relevant differential diagnosis mimicking acute myocardial infarction. Despite a generally good prognosis under conservative treatment, complications are reported in 17.7% of all cases in the literature. Therefore, intensive treatment and monitoring are mandatory.