Welfare societies are confronted with a new social quest: the problem of increasing numbers of people having difficulties in coping with daily complexity and the dramatic increase in users in youth care, mental health and the punitive system. The answer to this new social issue is not a Caring State but an Activating State. The new social quest asks for a new concept of citizenship on the one hand and a new social professional as 'generalist-specialist' or'professional friend', on the other hand. From there, different modern approaches in social work are presented, such as outreach social work, new avenues for reducing recidivism, making room for vulnerable people in the community, interethnic connecting in sports, good social care and a new profile for social workers.