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The role of Higher Education in local and regional social and economic development

PASCAL International Observatory will organise its 10th International Conference that will be hosted at the Western Brittany University (UBO) in France from October 29-31, 2012. The overall theme is the role of Higher Education in local and regional social and economical development. The conference will provide opportunities to discuss various sub-topics such as local development in the context of an ageing population, Healthy Cities, the contribution from the University in a time of crisis and the role of higher education institutions in remote regions. In addition to keynote addresses and panels, individual papers reporting case studies, results of research and/or development projects, or a critical analysis and reflection are welcomed. Several parallel workshop sessions have been reserved for the presentation of accepted contributions.

PASCAL International Observatory is pleased to host this autumn conference on the role of Higher Education in local and regional social and economic development at the Western Brittany University (UBO) from October 29-31, 2012. This conference will take place in Brest, France. The conference will provide opportunities to discuss various sub topics such as local development in the context of an ageing population, Healthy Cities, Contribution from University in a time of crisis, the role of higher education institutions in remote regions.

The overall theme for this conference is the role of Higher Education in local and regional social and economic development. In this time of global crisis, we can observe that national government, international organisations and multi-national companies all are unable to propose sustainable solutions for human development as it relates to adequate and equitable access to health, food, security, education, and even culture.

The first objective of this conference is to examine the role of Higher Education and of highly educated individuals in a context of economic crisis with high levels of unemployment, especially for young people. The second objective is to examine best practice in these areas from regional and local cooperation between Higher Education Institutions and local stakehoders.

The conference will provide opportunities to discuss various sub- topics such as the role of Higher Education Institutions in remote regions, ageing populations and regional development (health and well being) and the contributions from universities in a time of crisis. The workshops will have a cross-cutting vision within three domains: innovation, the internationalisation and inclusion.
 

Call for papers

Contributions are welcomed in one of the key themes of the conference:

How to contribute…

The academic committee of the conference welcomes on behalf of PASCAL contributions to the workshops or poster exhibitions that are related to one of the four topics listed above. The committee is aiming at a good mix of presentations in the form of case studies, results of research and/or development projects, or a critical analysis and reflection on the theme. For detailed information on how to proceed, please consult the “Guidelines for Contributions” attached to this Call.

THE FOUR TOPICS IN DETAIL…

1 - Local development in the context of an ageing population

The population is aging in all developed economies; this is a trend which is of significant concern in terms of the growing challenge of financing state pensions and welfare. In addition senior unemployment continues to grow. This conference theme considers the following:

  • The skills and knowledge of seniors for regional competitiveness
  • Health (echoing the WHO Age Friendly Cities Programme)
  • Social and economic inclusion
  • The emerging opportunities for (and from?) young people in the context of a "lost generation"
  • The role of Universities and Higher Education and the aging population
  • Best practice cases from developing nations

2 - Healthy Cities

The WHO ‘Healthy Cities’ project provides an example of the type of global and multifaceted approach to understanding a totality of health-related issues facing the population on a daily basis and in particular, where links can be drawn with their region. The conference seeks to address this issue from a range of viewpoints:

  • Local partnership structures
  • The role of education and specifically universities
  • Social health determinants
  • Applied research

3 - Contribution from University in a time of crisis

This third theme, builds on the recurrent and topical subject of crisis: economic crisis, social crisis, political crises, but also crises related to climatic and environmental events. Within our universities, we have a wealth of engaged actors (students, teachers, researchers) without whom we would not be able to measure the causes nor the consequences of these crises. We propose therefore to examine, from whichever angle, questions covering:

  • The roles and responsibilities of universities and the results of their research
  • Independence and funding
  • Elite and popular education
  • Responsibility and issue raising

4 - The role of higher education institutions in remote regions and territorial impact.

The PASCAL International Observatory has undertaken studies in numerous regions of the world to examine the relationship between economic, social and cultural development and the presence of higher education institutions. This theme will build on these questions with a special consideration for remote or isolated regions, those which may be far from major population centres and decision-making and which may have declining or increasing populations. The scientific impact of higher education and its high-level activities will be studied in a context where remote and isolated regions are often forgotten in initiatives which seek to establish international classification. Examples of best practice from local initiatives, which are often the result of bringing together individuals from very diverse backgrounds and disciplines, are especially welcomed under this theme, including

  • The lifelong learning strategy of universities
  • Sustainable economy and rural areas
     

Deadlines

Monday 25th June 2012: sending Contribution Forms
Monday 9th July 2012: notification to author(s)
Tuesday 9th October 2012: submission of requested full papers
 

Scientific Committee

  • Pr Mike Osborne (Royaume-Uni),
  • Jarl Bengtsson (Suède),
  • Dr Peter Welsh (Royaume-Uni),
  • Pr Chris Duke (Australie),
  • Dr Hervé Thouément (France) ,
  • Roger Morin (France),
  • Dr Jean-Marie Filloque (France),
  • Pr Maurice Baslé (France),
  • Dr Lionel Prigent (France).

Event

The role of Higher Education in local and regional social and economic development

PASCAL International Observatory will organise its 10th International Conference that will be hosted at the Western Brittany University (UBO) in France from October 29-31, 2012. The overall theme is the role of Higher Education in local and regional social and economical development. The conference...

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