Pioneers in the service of others: Diakoniewerk turns 150 years old

The Protestant pastor Ludwig Schwarz and his wife Cècile were responsible for this. 150 years later, board member Daniela Palk is part of the management team of around 3,800 employees with a very high proportion of women who uphold the legacy. An OÖN interview with Palk about what was, what is and what would be good if it became.

More on the subject: Moser confirmed as director of Diakonie

OÖN: The Schwarz couple were convinced in 1874 that that faith takes its true form in active charity. How much of this original idea is still in the Diakoniewerk today?

Daniela Palk: Active charity is our basic mission, which has never changed. This order comes from people who, for various reasons, don’t have it so easy and who we stand by. Of course, active charity always depends on what needs the time brings. In the beginning, the Diakoniewerk cared a lot for orphans, something that no longer exists today.

What changed then?

Our work has changed in the belief that every person has gifts and that we have responsibility for both our employees and the people we care for. As a society, we are more culturally and ethnically diverse, just as we are more secular than we were 150 years ago. However, nothing has changed in the basic mission of the Diakoniewerk and in the image of humanity. We always have to bring all of this into today.

How much does an unsettled and challenging time like the one we are experiencing affect Diakoniewerk as an institution?

The current multi-crisis situation cannot be explained away. But if you look back 150 years, our ancestors were certainly in more crisis situations and overcame them. That also gives you hope. If you are referring to digital transformation, then our work is ultimately entirely analog.

But digitalization is here.

Of course, we have to deal with this if digitalization finds its way into everyday working life – from electronic documentation to the greater use of artificial intelligence. But the actual caring for people is an analogous activity. The question of who is my neighbor is what defines our work, and it is as modern, contemporary and fit for the future as ever. I believe this work will continue to increase in value.

What do you mean?

Despite all the crises and differences in perspectives, encounters are only possible in direct conversation by feeling the other person. We accompany people who are sometimes in existential situations, people in old age who are wondering how close death is to them. People with disabilities who ask themselves at different levels why they are disabled. It’s a dignified job being done here. It is a dignity to be able to accompany people like this.

Speaking of employees: How is the Diakoniewerk affected by the shortage of skilled workers and personnel?

In an industry that relies more than 80 percent on personal service, this naturally increases the pressure on employees. It is not pleasant for any industry if you cannot maintain performance because there are too few employees. But in our case there is still the knowledge of what happens to the people who live in residential facilities when we are not there. Therefore, on the corporate side as well as on the political and social level, we must clearly ask ourselves how we can succeed in reorganizing the necessary social work.

What does it take?

On the one hand, I believe that we need to ask ourselves more about whether people are adapting to the offers or whether the offers no longer have to be adapted to the people. But it will also be a question of whether we can find smaller, more tailored solutions that lead to greater satisfaction among clients and employees. We have to be open to it. We see ourselves as pioneers in the Diakoniewerk, even though we are big and old.

What are you up to?

We have pioneering DNA. We were the first diaconal organization in Austria to begin training in working with people with disabilities almost 50 years ago. We then quickly started training to work with the elderly and implemented a nursing home model that is completely different. We have highly responsible people at the various locations – and that’s where you can experience the Diakoniewerk. These employees ensure our quality.