Communication Ethics

This BIP offers an engaging international learning experience focused on communication ethics in diverse professional contexts. Participants will explore how ethical principles influence communication practices, with particular attention to empathy, leadership, intercultural understanding, and inclusivity. Through lectures, group work, interactive sessions, and student-led presentations, participants will gain insights into communication in professional roles, supported decision-making, anti-racist practices, and mindfulness, all while fostering international collaboration and reflection.

Communication Ethics BIP is offered jointly by Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, VID Specialized University (Norway), EvH Bochum (Germany), Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (Austria) and FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences (Austria).

Topics

• influence of ethical principles on communication practices, with particular attention to empathy, leadership, intercultural understanding, and inclusivity
• communication in professional roles
• supported decision-making
• anti-racist practices

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student is able to

• consider the impact of their words and actions
• give others a chance to express themselves
• is aware of typical ethical mistakes in communication and is able to avoid them in their own communication practices
• acknowledge others’ viewpoints and avoid personal attacks, stereotypes, or dismissiveness
• respect privacy
• understand that different situations call for different levels of formality, sensitivity, and discretion
• avoid bias or exclusion in their communication practices and aims to include all voices fairly, especially in group or public settings

Learning Methods

Collaborative online teamwork with lecturers and 1-week intensive program in Finland.

Credits

5 ECTS

Target Group

Suitable for both Bachelor and Master students

Eligibility

B2 English language level

• Kick-off Workshop in ZOOM 9.4.2026 at 15.00–18.00 CET / 16:00–19:00 Finnish time
• Teamwork in Howspace
• Intensive Week in Helsinki, Finland 4.–8.5.2026

Student registration

Partners will nominate their student participants by 3 February 2026. Please contact your international office for information about the application and selection.

The selected students will register for the BIP by completing the online registration form by 13 February 2026.

Intensive week in Helsinki

Schedule

4 May – 8 May 2026 at 9:00-16:00. The detailed programme will be available on Howspace learning platform.

Travel arrangements

When making the travel arrangements, please make sure to arrive in Helsinki by 3 May and leave on Saturday 9 May. The programme will start on Monday morning at 9:00 and finish on Friday afternoon at 16:00.

Campus location

Kyläsaarenkuja 2, FI-00580 Helsinki, Finland
Read more about the campus

Public Transportation

We recommend downloading the HSL app to buy tickets and find the routes. This app can be used also for the train from the airport to the city centre. Alternatively, you can buy day tickets (for 1-7 days) e.g. from R-kiosk. Price examples: one-way-ticket 3,30€ and 5-day-ticket 31,80€.

Helsinki Journey Planner is a practical tool for finding public transportation routes and schedules.

From Helsinki central railway station, the bus number 55 (departs from platform 3) stops in front of the campus building (stop Haukilahdenkatu). The journey takes 15 minutes.

Lunch

Daily lunch is available at 11-13. The price for a warm meal is 1,49€/students and 5,68€/staff.
Click here to check the menu!

Other activities

Field visits to be confirmed. Participation in these activities is voluntary.

Accommodation

Participants will take care of their own housing arrangements. Diak’s international office will send instructions to the participants after registration.

Recommended options are Hotel Arthur, Diana Park Hostel, Cheap Sleep Hostel, The Yard and Omena Hotel. The price is 30€-50€ per person per night depending on the shared room.

Funding

For staff and students from partner institutions, participation is supported by the Erasmus+ Mobility grant.

Certificate

Diak will issue a Transcript of Records in English for all participants who have successfully completed the programme.

Intensive week in Helsinki

Schedule

4 May – 8 May 2026 at 9:00-16:00. The detailed programme will be available on Howspace learning platform.

Student registration

Diak students register on MyDiak.

• Module information: COEMK26HKI Communication Ethics (5op)

Certificate

Diak will issue a Transcript of Records in English for all participants who have successfully completed the programme.