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International conference

The Third Sector and Sustainable Social Change: New Frontiers for Research

ISTR Eighth International Conference
2nd EMES-ISTR European Conference in partnership with CINEFOGO

Universitat de Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain
July 9-12, 2008

Presentation

We invite you to participate in the Eighth ISTR International Conference and the Second EMES-ISTR European Conference in Partnership with the CINEFOGO Network of Excellence to exchange ideas and research findings about Civil Society and the Third Sector. The conference is being hosted by the Universitat de Barcelona Centro de Investigación de Economía y Sociedad (CIES).

ISTR is the major international membership association and recognized leader promoting research and education in the fields of civil society, philanthropy, voluntarism and the non-profit sector. The Society is known for its commitment to excellence, its collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach, global outreach and values of diversity and inclusion. 

EMES is a research network of established university research centers and individual researchers whose goal is to gradually build up a European corpus of theoretical and empirical knowledge, pluralistic in disciplines and methodology, around Third Sector issues.

The theme of the conference is “The Third Sector and Sustainable Social Change: New Frontiers of Research.”

In the last two decades the world’s diverse economies and societies have undergone historical transformations of unprecedented breadth and depth. This new world stage has generated special concern among governments and diverse civil society actors on the kinds of social change that are occurring and the impact that change is having. In Europe, demands and increases in the provision of public goods have achieved some degree of efficiency and equity, but in other regions of the world many peoples’ basic needs are not being satisfied by states or market mechanisms.

Although the Third Sector has shown significant advances in attaining more just and inclusive societies, there remain enormous practical and theoretical challenges that demand multi-disciplinary approaches and new strategic alliances among those engaged in development.

In addition, we are particularly interested in exploring the role of religion, social movements, governance and multi-sector partnerships. As well,  topics including civic participation, community development and citizenship, and the application of research-based knowledge to policy and practice will be explored. As always, this ISTR conference is multi-disciplinary in its approach. It offers an opportunity for scholars and practitioners to discuss theoretical and empirical insights, to identify vital areas for new enquiry and to establish contacts with those having similar interests.

It is our hope that this conference theme will inspire stimulating debate and discussion, and create exciting collaborations. We look forward to this global gathering of colleagues for a dynamic academic, networking, and social experience.

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Provisional program

Please follow the link to check the program.

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Conference official web site

Please check the conference's official web site for updates and further details.

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