Call for Papers
Submission deadline: 1 April 2010
JOINT CONFERENCE of the UNIVERSITY NETWORK of the EUROPEAN CAPITALS of CULTURE and the COMPOSTELA GROUP OF UNIVERSITIES
14-15 October 2010, Pécs, Hungary.
Conference themes
The University Network of the European Capitals of Culture (UNeECC) and the Compostela Group of Universities will hold their annual conferences together in Pécs, Hungary, European Capital of Culture 2010. The joint conference will be hosted by the University of Pécs.
We are inviting papers and presentations from universities and other institutions of higher education that are a member of the University Network of the European Capitals of Culture and Compostela Group of Universities and/or are located in cities which are, have been, or will be designated European Capitals of Culture.
The conference will focuses on two major themes that are of interest to both networks and we welcome a variety of scholarly papers that address either one or both of these themes.
1. Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
Combating poverty and social exclusion are key notions in both the Lisbon Strategy and its successor ‘Europe 2020’. Given the important role assigned to higher education in both strategies, universities should ask themselves whether and if so, to what extend they contribute to this objective, especially in this European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Do they recognise the right of people in poverty and social exclusion to live in dignity and to play a full part in society? Do they acknowledge public ownership of social inclusion policies, emphasising everyone's responsibility in tackling poverty and marginalisation? Do they contribute to a more cohesive society which recognises that society as a whole benefits from the eradication of poverty? And are they convinced that this combat requires the commitment of all actors, because real progress requires a long-term effort that involves all levels of governance?
2. The Assessment of the European Capitals of Culture Programme
As the European Capiltals of Culture programme celebrates it 25th anniversary in 2010 an overall assessment of the programme is due. The University Network of European Capitals of Culture has the unique capacity to do precisely that: assess the impact of the ECoC programme in all its aspects, both on a local and a European level. On top of evaluating specific ECoCs or particular aspects (cultural, economic, social, political impacts) time has come to reflect on the assessment of ECoCs itself.
3. ECoC Programme and the Combat against Poverty and Social Exclusion
Can the ECoC Programme contribute to this combat and in what way? What role can universities play in it? How can we evaluate the achievements of ECoC programs in this field?
The themes can be interpreted in a broad sense, but given the academic objectives of the conference, papers must yield new insights and focus on the effects of these processes on universities, European Capitals of Culture and their stakeholders, i.e. on academics, students, university administrators, regional and local authorities, creative industries, innovative entrepreneurship in the cultural sector, cultural policy makers, and the civil society. Accepted papers will be published in the conference proceedings.
Conference tracks
Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion Assessment of ECoC programmes
• RECOGNITION: Universities are traditionally elitist bulwarks. How do they counter this image?
• SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: What role do universities play in the public debate on combating poverty and social exclusion? Can they do more?
• CONTRIBUTION: Do university policies reflect the public concerns with poverty and social exclusion?
• COMMITMENT: How do the university’s stakeholders perceive their roles? As part of a whole (the university), or rather as a an individual (own initiative)? Do these two roles influence eachother?
• RESEARCH & IMPACT: Universities deliver reports on social issues to the authorities. How do they assess the implementation of their recommendations?
• ECONOMY: What is the economic impact of the programme? Do the investments in culture yield profits, and if so, for whom: private businesses and/or local communities (in the broad sense)?
• EUROPEAN IDENTITY: Has the ECoC programme contributed to the European identity? Has it redrawn the map of Europe?
• CULTURE: Is culture a tool to overcome social inequality, or does it merely reproduce it (culture of the elite vs. culture of the underrepresented)?
• SOCIAL: Does the ECoC programme reflect civil society and grass-root initiatives?
• ARTS: Do ECoCs offer opportunities for innovative and emerging creative people (artists, architects, designers), or are they a showcase for established artists?
• HISTORY: How does the concept of ECoCs fit into local, national or European history writing? Does it present a model for alternative historiography?
• METHODOLOGY of assessing complex phenomena with numerous stakeholders such as the ECoC.
ECoC Programme and the Combat against Poverty and Social Exclusion
• Do ECoC cater for socially disadvantaged groups?
• Do this groups feel themselves involved in the ECoC, or do they consider this as a luxury for the happy few?
• Have ECoC an impact on living conditions and social inclusion?
• And is there any difference between EcoCs that focus on culture as such or on reconversion?
• Have Istanbul, Pécs and Essen addressed these issues?
Conference practicalities
The conference will be held in English. Participants are invited to bring copies of their presentations or a substantial abstract. Overhead projection and PowerPoint facilities will be available. Time allotted to each presentation will be 15 minutes with an extra 5 minutes for questions and answers.
We very much encourage professors, teachers, researchers, young scholars and junior faculty to participate. We also invite papers from undergraduate and graduate students. Students should indicate their student status (graduate or undergraduate) when presenting a proposal.
We also invite colleagues from local city/regional administration, particularly those responsible for organizing their cities’ European Capital of Culture programme, to present papers about ideas, projects and experience of best practice.
Abstract submission
Please review the conference tracks above and indicate your category below. A one-page abstract should contain:
a) Title of presentation
b) Name(s) of presenter(s)
c) Title of presenter
d) Department or faculty, university, country
e) Mailing address, phone & fax number, e-mail
f) Identification of conference track
g) Key words (maximum five)
h) Body of the abstract
Abstracts should be informative and clear about aims of research and discussion of results.
Participants may submit one or more presentation proposals electronically or by post to:
Mrs Gyöngyi Pozsgai
Secretary General of UNeECC
University of Pécs
Szántó K.J. utca 1/B
H-7633 Pécs
Hungary
Tel +36 72 501 500/2418
Fax +36 72 501 508
e-mail: [email protected]
The deadline for receipt of proposals, including titles, authors' names, institutional affiliation and addresses, and an abstract is 1 April 2010. Late proposals may be considered if space is available. Applicants will be notified of the acceptance of their proposal by the end of April. Registration will begin on 1 May. The website will contain registration forms and detailed information regarding hotels and registration. The registration fee for the presenters is 120 Euro.
NOTICE: Participants must register for the conference. Presentations and presenters will not be listed in the printed programme if the presenter has not registered. Please watch the UNeECC website –www.uneecc.org – for information on registration, fees and additional information.
For any additional information about the conference, feel free to contact Mrs Gyöngyi Pozsgai.
About UNeECC
The University Network of the European Capitals of Culture (UNeECC), an international non-profit association, was founded in Pécs, Hungary in December 2006, by 15 founding members.
The creation of UNeECC originates from the recognition of the fact that the prestigious European designation of being a European Capital of Culture is a special asset for Universities and establishments of Higher Education based in European Capitals of Culture in as much they can utilize this experience to stimulate new forms of academic and educational institutional collaboration.
As it is stated in the Statutes, the general aim of UNeECC is:
a) to ensure the recognition of the role and contribution of universities to the success of the cities conferred the title "European Capital of Culture"
b) to provide the member universities with a possibility of a continuous and full participation in the European Capitals of Culture movement enhanced by "Universities of the Year"
c) to foster inter-university cooperation to develop and reshape the universities regional position to create new activities for city and university collaboration
By now UNeECC is proud to have 50 members. A number of initiatives are steadily under development which get outlined on the website (www.uneecc.org).
We would like to invite all universities and establishments of Higher Education situated in European Capitals of Culture who have not yet joined UNEECC to do so, by consulting the web site at www.uneecc.org or by contacting Mrs Gyöngyi Pozsgai.
About the Compostela Group of Universities
The Compostela Group of Universities (CGU) is a non-profit association aimed at fostering cooperation and promoting dialogue in all fields related to higher education. Created in 1994, the CGU currently brings together more than 70 members from 22 countries worldwide, convinced that diversity, inclusivity and engagement with society are essential features of modern Higher Education.
Cooperation at the Compostela Group of Universities is mainly carried out within the framework of working groups (Gender Issues, European Studies, Multi-culturalism & Cross-Cultural Communication, Northern Routes to Santiago), activities (Compostela Prize, Publications, STELLA – staff mobility) and projects (Tempus MEDA, Erasmus Networks, External Cooperation Window, etc.) The CGU participates both as an entity in its own right, and by involving members directly, which provides them with:
a) Opportunities for training and professional development of the different communities within each CGU member.
b) An international and diverse contact database that makes the establishment of new links and projects easier.
c) Information about and links to other members and institutions related to higher education.
d) Opportunities for cooperation on international joint projects.
e) Membership in a widely recognized international higher education network.
The CGU is open to institutions from any continent, welcoming not only educational centres –full members- but also other entities related to Higher Education – associate members. More information about them and how to join in is available at www.gcompostela.org.