http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/index.php?option=com_conference Fri, 18 May 2012 00:01:17 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2999/Itemid,26/ Ø COURSE OVERVIEW This very popular and comprehensive programme successfully completed by hundreds of security managers from many of the world’s most famous and most successful companies is designed for security managers, coordinators and their equivalents, who wish to gain a thorough understanding of how to manage security within a corporate environment. Suited equally for existing security managers and those newly appointed from police or military or business backgrounds, the course will enable delegates to use a range of risk management and security design tools to enhance their organization's ability to protect its assets. Security Risk Management Risk management as a cross-functional business tool; security risk analysis; identifying assets; asset systems and asset contexts; determining probability based on quantitative and qualitative scales; measuring direct and consequential impact; risk mitigation Security Operations Management The main roles of the security manager; operating a cost-effective security department; creating a return on investment; effective management skills for the security manager; creating proactive security programmes; security reporting chains; service level agreements to manage contracted services Security Policies and Procedures Alignment of security to business processes; creating board-driven security management; devising, drafting and implementing security policies and procedures. Security Design The components of a security system; the 18 principles of security design; the security environment; creating risk-commensurate security; balancing risk and protection; integrat-ing security into the business environment; selling security to management; creating crime prevention through good security design Physical and Electronic Security Creating a perimeter to deny, detect, deter, deflect and demark; balancing delay, detection and response to perimeter intrusions; creating layered security, perimeter fencing options, costs, drawbacks and benefits; perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDS); off-site and on-site monitoring of PIDS; CCTV as a perimeter protection means; pe-rimeter lighting; perimeter patrolling; the key requirements of a high-risk site perimeter; securing buildings against internal and external crimes; methods of illicit entry into buildings; the key requirements of working hours protection; the key requirements of quiet hours protection; protecting the building shell using physical and electronic means; protecting the building interior using physical and electronic means; Internal patrolling; building intrusion detection systems (BIDS); point alarm systems and electronic article surveillance; internal CCTV Access Management The key aims of access control; access management systems design and application; preventing unauthorised access; preventing unauthorised removal of property; badging and identification systems; biometric access management systems; key control systems and best practice; entry and exit searching policies and practice; applying the need-to-go principle; access management compartmentalization. Workplace Crime Prevention The factors which might motivate an employee to commit an internal crime; the common traits of an employee thief; application of Felson's Routine Activity Theory; the applica-tion of situational crime prevention; social crime prevention overview; crime prevention through environmental design; reducing exposure to burglary; developing a corporate crime prevention programme. Introduction to Security Surveying Security surveys, reviews and audits; sequencing a security survey; security surveying options; peer surveys; pre- and post- survey tasks; survey report writing; presenting sur-vey results to the Board Manpower Selection and Deployment Manpower selection, deployment and span of control; lines of responsibility and reporting; personnel specifications and job descriptions; background screening; dealing with disciplinary infractions Leadership and Motivation The principles of effective leadership; common behavioural and skill characteristics inherent in successful business leaders; application of recognized successful business lead-ership and motivational techniques; motivating the security team; leading meetings; delivering management presentations Highlight Topics Accredited Security Manager – Stage 2 (April 09 - April 20, 2012) How to implement security risk management and loss prevention programs that will make a quantifiable contribution to organizational loss reduction goals? Accredited Security Manager – Stage 3 (May 07 - May 18, 2012) How to formulate security policy and manage security programs at a regional and corporate level? Ø Accredited Security Manager – Stage 1 (June 11– 22, 2012 ) How to Manage Security within an organization whether you are experienced or no experienced Security Manager. This is the most popular security course in the world successfully completed by hundreds of delegates. YOUR DISTINGUISHED COURSE INSTRUCTOR Bob Knights MBE MSc CPP Bob Knights MBE MSc CPP is an associate trainer with ARC training, specialising in the delivery of the university accredited security management range of courses. During his full and distinguished career in the Police Service, Bob was acknowledged as the forerunner in promoting the concept of fusing an academic and practical approach to asset protection, designing out crime and implementing security management. He achieved his Master’s Degree with Distinction in Security Management in 1996. In the same year he was made an MBE in recognition for his services to the Police Service and designing out crime. This expertise has been reflected in various appointments and offices including Chair of the Association of Chief Police Officers Crime Prevention Technical Committee; Chair of the Designing Out Crime Association (UK); the National Arson in Schools Working Group and as Associate Consultant to the Building Research Establishment. Recognised at both national and international level, the Principal is an acknowledged expert in many aspects of designing out crime, environmental design, risk management, security strategy, security policy preparation and training. He lectures frequently in locations spreading from Canada, Europe and Bahrain to Japan. Ø WHO SHOULD ATTEND This workshop will be of broad interest to individuals managing security, especially: * Security Directors *Security Managers * Building Owners * Security Training In charges * Facility Managers *Plant security in charge * Security vendors and houses * Security General Managers From the following Industries: *Aerospace/Aviation *Banking *Civil Service *Computers and Electronics *Construction *Critical National Infrastructure *Defense Industries Sites *Energy Utilities *Government *Higher Educational Institutes *Hotels, Hospitality and Leisure *Logistics *Manufacturing *Media *Mining *Oil and Gas/Petrochemicals *Police *Ports *Property Management *Public Transport *Retail *Security Service Providers *Sports *Telecommunications *Super Governmental (ICC and OSCE) *Water Utilities --- Accredited Security Manager Training 2012 Malaysia-- Conference Secretariat: Lawson-Marsh Events Co., Ltd Email: : accreditedsecuritymanager2012@gmail.com Tel: + 662 940 2483 ext 215 Fax: + 662 940 2484 For Enquiries : Email: dan@lawson-marsh.com Facebook: Accredited-Security-Management-Training-2012 --ARC Training International Ltd-- The International Academy for Security Management First Floor, 1 Station Rd Pangbourne, Reading, RG8 7AN, UK Tel: +44 (0) 118 984 1040 Fax: +44 (0) 118 984 5060 Web: http://www.arc-tc.com - Regional Studies Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2804/Itemid,26/ The Ankara Conference on Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution stands out as the ICD's effort to impact the international system at its most sensitive and efficient level: conflict resolution and peacebuilding, taking the Mediterranean as the focus of our study. Culture can have an extremely strong impact on societies, and should be taken into account as a factor in change and new developments in the international system. Reflecting on the role of cultural diplomacy as a tool for conflict resolution, but also in empowering the Mediterranean countries at a global scale, will be the main goal of this conference. Since the classical era through to Ottoman rule, as well as the French and British mandates, the successive empires have had a huge influence on the region thus creating a common cultural background. But they have also initiated tensions with very high conflict potential (e.g. drafting borders). This ambiguous situation explains both the need for institutional cooperation in the region (Arab League, Barcelona Process and European Neighbourhood Policy) as well as the obstacles that stand in the way of further integration (as demonstrated by the failure of the Union for the Mediterranean). Moreover, change is taking place – evidenced by the Arab Spring or the rise of Turkey as a new regional power – creating a higher risk for conflict, or a new chance for peace. The aim of this conference is to reassess the intimate cultural ties that link the Mediterranean countries together, and consequently the potential for conflict resolution. - Regional Studies Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2545/Itemid,26/ Join other language, regional and cultural experts within the DoD and Department of State as they discuss and share strategies for revamping the military education system to reflect an increased focus on developing linguistic and cultural skills. Key subtopics that will be discussed include: -Implementing a cohesive language and cultural training strategy across the DoD -Defining language requirements across military branches -Measuring the success of current language and cultural training programs -Revamping the military education system for the current special operations focus -Weighing the impact of language, region and culture on COIN -Capitalizing on command of the cultural psyche Attending this forum will enable you to hear from: -The Air Force Culture and Language Center on cross-cultural competence as a means to a strategic end -US Army TRADOC on institutionalizing LRC capabilities throughout the military education system -The Defense Language Institute on the current status of language capabilities throughout the ranks -Office of the Director of National Intelligence on recruiting and deploying native heritage speakers for key translation roles -US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School on important considerations for a comprehensive cultural training program Benefit from 3-days of case study driven briefings from 18 leading LRC experts. Attendees will be afforded the opportunity to interact with speakers and their peers in a classroom style setting that will encourage both audience participation and engagement. Seating for this conference is limited to maintain an intimate educational environment that will cultivate the knowledge and experience of all participants. - Regional Studies Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2263/Itemid,26/ The great healthcare debate—understanding the drivers of change The current system of healthcare provision in the Gulf is unsustainable. Medical demand on healthcare systems is growing rapidly and with healthcare costs rising, a radical re-think of state-provided healthcare is a must. Healthcare in the Gulf will facilitate high-level discussion between Government, healthcare providers, suppliers, patient groups and investors in order to: concentrate minds on the complexity of the issues, promote innovation by analysing breakthrough approaches and generate fresh thinking and practical solutions for sustainable reform. We will be discussing: Critical challenges faced by policymakers in reforming and financing healthcare systems and in working with the private sector The healthcare tools of 2020 – which emerging innovations are likely to have greatest impact on clinicians and administrators? With the obesity and diabetes and hypertension rates raising what is the secret of promoting healthy lifestyles? - Regional Studies Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2262/Itemid,26/ The road to sustainable healthcare; which path to take? The pressures affecting Europe’s healthcare systems are critical and widely recognised. An ageing population, rising costs and cuts in healthcare spending, means that ‘business as usual’ is not an option for Europe’s healthcare administrators. Yet, while there is consensus around the urgent need to adopt innovative, integrated and sustainable models of care, there is no clear roadmap. Healthcare in Europe, returning for its second year, will confront the major health challenges facing the continent. You’ll be able to engage in genuine dialogue and discover practical solutions with a high-level group of influential healthcare stakeholders. Topics to be discussed include: What are the most promising examples of integrated healthcare systems, and what do they reveal for the future of European healthcare? How will the healthcare ‘customer’ of 2012 behave, and is the customer always right? The great debate: Is egalitarianism holding Europe back? An advocate and opponent of ‘equal healthcare for all’ spell out their respective positions It worked for them – why not for you? Innovation lessons from India - Regional Studies Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2261/Itemid,26/ Transforming Africa’s healthcare systems—where should change happen? Healthcare demands in Africa are changing. With chronic diseases rising, an emerging middle-class demanding better quality, affordable healthcare and private healthcare on the rise, what is the future for healthcare systems across the continent? Healthcare in Africa will bring together influential healthcare stakeholders from government, providers, suppliers and patient groups to confront and explore key issues around healthcare systems in Africa. You’ll be able to participate in interactive brainstorming sessions, hear cutting-edge case studies, and hear from a range of inspiring speakers. TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED: What is the right balance of private and public healthcare for Africa? How can healthcare systems best meet the demands of both infectious and chronic diseases? What are the best practices for affordable medicine in Africa, and what can be learnt from other emerging markets? - Regional Studies Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2260/Itemid,26/ Event Introduction The “European African Alliance Conference 2012” is the first of four conferences held during January specifically on the continent of Africa. This conference will focus on the relationship between Europe and Africa in the context of development, trade, security and cultural exchange with the view to explore and evaluate Africa’s role in the globalised world and the field of Cultural Diplomacy. Africa’s relationship with Europe and European Institutions has developed significantly over the last decade making the European African Alliance an interesting and relevant topic for discussion today. The program will consist of lectures, seminars, debates and panel discussions that will feature leading figures from international politics & diplomacy, academia, civil society, and the private sector. This conference will focus on and analyze economic issues such as migration and employment, political issues such as the use and affect of institutions, democracy and international relations and security and trade issues. Conference Participants The conference is open to applications from governmental and diplomatic officials, civil society practitioners, young professionals, students and scholars, private sector representatives, journalists, and other interested stakeholders from across the world. - Regional Studies Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2089/Itemid,26/ It is a great pleasure to inform you that the 19th Wonca Asia Pacific Regional Conference will be held from May 24th to 27th in Jeju, Korea. As a Overall Chair of Organizing Committee, I am truly honored to host one of the most highly acclaimed meetings in the field of family medicine on the beautiful site – Jeju Island. This year, the organizing committee has chosen “Clinical Excellence in Family Medicine : Evidence-based Approach in Primary care” as the main theme of the conference, with a focus on the latest developments and trends, as well as the future outlook of the field of primary care and family medicine. The organizing committee is gearing up for an exciting and informative conference program including plenary lectures, symposia, seminars, workshops on a variety of topics, poster presentations and various social programs for over 2,000 participants from around the world. I hope you will join us at the Wonca Jeju 2012 and have a meaningful time with all the global experts. All members of the Organizing Committee and the Korean Academy of Family Medicine look forward to meeting you in Jeju, Korea. Sincerely, Jung Kwon Lee Abstract Submission Deadline: Dec 30, 2011 The WONCA Jeju 2012 Scientific Program Committee cordially invites you to submit abstracts for free paper, poster and video presentation. All abstracts should be submitted online. All abstracts will be reviewed by the scientific program committee and assigned to the appropriate session for oral and poster presentations. Abstract Submission Topics Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Life Style for Health & Disease Clinical Prevention Practice Guidelines Family Issues & Family Therapy Infectiona Sports & Musculoskeletal Medicine Child Health Gender Topics Vulnerable Population Travel Medicine Complementary & Alternative Medicine Palliative Medicine Chronic Disease Mental Health Environment and Health Occupational Health Rural Health Genetics Geriatric Medicine Health Administration Primary Care Education Research Methodology Medical Informatics Medical Ethics - Regional Studies Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2088/Itemid,26/ The 2012 Asia Pacific Economic and Business History Conference will be held at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, the capital city of Australia, during Thursday – Saturday 16 – 18 February 2012. Papers and proposals for sessions are invited for the APEBH 2012 conference. The main conference theme is ‘Economic Integration: Historical Perspectives from Europe and Asia-Pacific’ but the organisers are open to proposals for contributions on other topics in economic, social, and business history, as well as to proposals for sessions on particular themes. Researchers across a broad range of disciplines are warmly welcomed. Early career researchers are encouraged to participate. The conference organisers are particularly interested in attracting papers that examine developments in countries and regions in the Asia-Pacific region and papers that provide an international comparative perspective. Economic integration is generally considered to be an aspect of the current process of globalisation. The European Union (EU) is often held up as a possible model for fostering the process of regional economic integration inAsia. However, the integration process inEuropesince the 1950s has been a formal process by which member states handed some authorities to the supranational EU. Throughout history, processes of economic integration occurred through both informal and formal processes. They occurred across regions within countries as transport facilities improved. They occurred across the borders of neighbouring countries as bilateral trade barriers were reduced, and in regions of the world due to multilateral initiatives. Formal agreements were not necessarily a prerequisite for economic integration. Private enterprises often took international business initiatives, despite the continued existence of barriers to international trade and investment. Formal processes of lowering such barriers followed. Where tariffs had been lowered, deepening integration by reducing non-tariff trade barriers remained an ongoing process. This happened in countries that became federations (e.g.USA,Germany,Australia,Malaysia), and countries that concluded bilateral (e.g. Australia-New Zealand), plurilateral (e.g. AFTA) and multilateral trade agreements. - Regional Studies Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2087/Itemid,26/ The solar industry enters a new phase of its development and is taking the lead in the global energy mix. According to Mr. Ingmar Wilhelm, president of the European Photovoltaic Association (EPIA) 'The important declining costs, the validity of the ecological footprint and new innovative features are creating today's good climate for investment in PV technology, which is on the way to becoming a fully competitive part of the electricity system in the European Union and an increasingly important part of the world's energy future'. The excellent solar irradiation indicators on the Balkans and the interest of leading companies in the sector provoke us to organize the SEE Solar Exhibition. It will be held for the first time parallel to the 8-th edition of the annual SE European Exhibition on EE & RES - 64% of its area in 2011 was covered by companies operating in the solar industry. SEE Solar Exhibition will present most up-to-date photovoltaic and solar thermal systems and will bring together manufacturers, installers, investors, designers and consultants. Testimonials by participants from previous editions of EE & RES Exhibition 'Bulgaria is a really interesting market, which is in the beginning of renewable energies.' Fink Georg, Gehrlicher Solar AG, Germany 'The exhibition met our expectation with the number of exhibitors and interest of visitors not only from Bulgaria, but as well as from the surrounding region.' Oto Gazovic, Asemid Solar, Slovakia - Regional Studies Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2086/Itemid,26/ The countries of South-East Europe are facing numerous environmental challenges. The increasing of energy efficiency and renewable energy application is the best way for sustainable economic development of the Region. Focused on these hot issues, the 8th edition of the EE & RES Exhibition will showcase again the latest equipment, technology and services from the energy sector and will act as a business and knowledge exchange platform. The Exhibition’s parallel events - EE & RES Congress and 'Save the Planet' - Conference & Exhibition on Waste Management, Recycling & Environment, contribute to the high-level visitor attendance by specialists from 4 continents - Europe, Asia, the Americas and Africa. Why to participate? Connect your business with local and regional industry· Extend your market positions Exchange information with partners and competitors Create and strengthen brand awareness The edition in 2011 - 84 % increase of the exhibition area compared to 2010 - Group participations from Austria, Germany and the USA - More than 5900 visitors from 39 countries - Highly positive feedback from exhibitors, visitors, speakers and attendees Testimonials 'Austrian businessmen met new potential clients, as the whole event was very well attended from a broad range of sectors. The event helped them to find useful information, to discuss concrete projects and to prepare first business offers.' Reinhart Zimmermann, Commercial Attache, Commercial Section, Embassy of Austria in Bulgaria 'Bulgaria is a really interesting market, which is in the beginning of renewable energies.' Fink Georg, Gehrlicher Solar AG, Germany 'I was, as a guest, pleasantly impressed by the professionalism of the event, and I consequently recommend my government to participate in the 2012 edition'. Eva Povedano Moreno, Commercial Counsellor, Head of the Trade Department, Embassy of Spain in Bulgaria - Regional Studies Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2085/Itemid,26/ The event encourages the investments, transfer of good practices and technologies to the Regional market where foreign companies can find plenty of opportunities. 'Exhibition - Conference' format turns it into a professional platform for product exploration, discussion, professional enrichment, networking and new partnerships setting up. The Conference program will include the following sessions: Waste prevention, Recycling/Resource Recovery, Energy and resource recovery, Landfilling and Environmental aspects of waste treatment technologies. The exhibition will put on display new technologies and equipments for waste collection, treatment, landfill and composting, transport vehicles, recycling systems, environmental monitoring & protection services, etc. The event partners are: European Biomass Association (AEBIOM), European Suppliers of Waste to Energy Technology (ESWET), Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants (CEWEP), German Association of Waste-to-Energy and RDF plants (ITAD), enviMV e. V., etc. Visitor and Attendee Profile State Administration and Municipality Representatives; Investors; Finance Experts; Landfill Operators; Managers, Specialists in the sectors of: Waste Management, Recycling, Ecology, Construction, etc. The 2011 edition at a glance: - Group participation from Austria – Strategic Partner of the event - 84 % increase of the exhibition area compared to 2010 - 33 speakers from 20 countries A parallel event will be the 8th EE & RES Congress and Exhibition for South-East Europe. The deadline for abstracts/proposals is 15 November 2011 Enquiries: office@viaexpo.com Web address: http://www.eco.viaexpo.com/en/conference Post Event Report: http://www.eeandres.viaexpo.com/upload/en/PostEventReport_2011_eng.pdf Organizer: Via Expo, Bulgaria, www.viaexpo.com, Phone +359 32/945 459, office@viaexpo.com Sponsored by: Via Expo Ltd. - Regional Studies Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2029/Itemid,26/ Welcome to The 2011 International Conference on Asian Studies [ASIAN'11] website. Each Winter, the Aries Group of Companies holds a four-day Multi -conference devoted to planned programs of scholarly papers, roundtable discussions, workshops, and panel sessions on a wide range of issues in research and teaching, and on Asian affairs in general. ASIAN'11 emphasizes interdisciplinary scholarly exchange on Asian Studies in the English-language format to broaden communication among researchers of diverse disciplines and backgrounds. The conference welcomes scholars and well-wishers world-wide interested in Asian studies to participate in this annual event. Conference Theme: "Changing Societies and Landscapes" This conference is part of the ANNA World Congress 2011 series of conferences sponsored by: Aries Group of Companies; The Anna Centenary Library, Chennai, India and 10 Referred International Journals. The conference will hold the best paper and best student paper awards ceremony on the evening of the 4th of December 2011 followed by a conference dinner. The conference will feature amazing varieties of mouth-watering Asian, Continental and Indian Foods with a gala dinner. Our Chennai conference dinner is featured by so many varieties of food (Multi-Cuisine) which is an enriching and out of this world Asian experience that's beyond the imagination of some delegates. - Regional Studies Sun, 02 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2027/Itemid,26/ Welcome to The 2011 ANNA World Congress & Expo, a platform for researchers to come together in a Multi-Conferences event at the South Asia's biggest Library - The Anna Centenary Library, Chennai, INDIA. ANNA WORLD 2011 will be composed of Multi-Conferences, research presentations, keynote lectures, invited presentations, tutorials, panel discussions, and poster presentations. Use our website to learn more information on proceedings, paper formatting, program committee and other relevant information. - Regional Studies Sun, 02 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2026/Itemid,26/ The Asian Finance Forum 2011 aims to provide a high-level platform for the exchange of insights by leaders in the financial services industry on key developments and transformational issues affecting the industry particularly in the Asian region. As the economic and financial gravity shifts eastwards, innovations coming out of Asia have challenged the management thinking in the developed world. The capability to innovate and bring innovation successfully to the market is also a crucial determinant of competitive advantage of financial institutions in the new decade. The forum also offers leaders and policy-makers an opportunity to experience one of the world's best and beautiful island; Bali. We promise a unique and inclusive event with social engagements and networking that will leave everlasting memories. Be a part of this inaugural forum where you will have the opportunity to engage with leaders and policy-makers to discuss Asia's Growth and Innovation in the New Financial Order. - Regional Studies Sun, 02 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2020/Itemid,26/ The Euroacademia First Graduate Workshop ‘Doing Research on Europe and the EU: Topics, Puzzles and Challenges’ aims to bring together graduate students, doctoral and post-doctoral researchers in an interactive platform for sharing, disseminating, and assessing ongoing research focused on topics of specific saliency in understanding past, current or future developments in Europe or connected to the European Union. The workshop is addressed to young researchers and creates a special opportunity for them to share their work with their colleagues but also to have a chance to expose their work to public scrutiny and receive valuable feedback both from other participants and professors and experts that will act as advisors and discussants for specific work-groups divided by topics and/or methodology. The Graduate Workshop will create an interactive setting where young researchers can present, compare and assess the developments of their accomplished work or in progress ones based on small groups divisions that foster interaction among similar topical concerns yet also the possibility to enlarge their own research vision by comparing it with the endeavors of their colleagues and adding to that the benefits of the shared expertise coming from invited experienced academics. Small scale work-groups and larger scale workshops for all the participants will also bring on the table the possibility of brainstorming and sharing the ups and downs of research work, emerging puzzles and methodological challenges, meta-analytical tools and cooperative frameworks that can strengthen future collaborative work among the participants. Graduate students, doctoral candidates, post-doctoral and young researchers are welcomed to submit an abstract. Representatives of INGOs, NGOs, Think Tanks and activists willing to present their work with impact on or influenced by specific understandings of the European Union are welcomed as well to submit the abstract of their contribution. There are no restrictions of field of studies or expertise and we welcome students coming from various backgrounds like European studies, political science, critical studies, cultural studies, history, anthropology, social psychology, semiotics, philosophy, sociology and wider and inclusive interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary approaches that contribute to a better understanding of the ‘self-organizing vertigo’ (Edgar Morin) of the European realm. The workshop aims to be diverse and interactive in nature yet it will be organized to best fit the interests and the expected outcomes of the participants. Abstracts will be reviewed and the participants are selected based on the proven quality of their abstract. The submitted paper for the conference proceedings is expected to be in accordance with the lines provided in the submitted abstract. It is expected to be an original paper, an article to be forwarded for publication, a chapter or an articulate summary of a dissertation defended or in progress. Prospective participants can also make proposals for thematic workshops to be included in the program and attended by participants with similar shared interests. The event is envisaged as a flexible one in order to best answer and fit the participants’ needs. - Regional Studies Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2019/Itemid,26/ Not a long time ago, in 2010, a British lady was considered bigoted by Gordon Brown upon asking ‘Where do all these Eastern Europeans come from?’(1). Maybe, despite her concern with the dangers of immigration for Britain, the lady was right in showing that such a question still awaits for answers in Europe. The ironic thing however is that a first answer to such a question would point to the fact that the Eastern Europeans come from the Western European imaginary. As Iver Neumann puts it, ‘regions are invented by political actors as a political programme, they are not simply waiting to be discovered’(2). And, as Larry Wolff skilfully showed, Eastern Europe is an invention emanated initially from the intellectual agendas of the elites of the Enlightenment that later found its peak of imaginary separation during the Cold War(3). The Economist, explicitly considered Eastern Europe to be wrongly labelled and elaborated that ‘it was never a very coherent idea and it is becoming a damaging one’(4).The enlargement however was expected to make the East – West division obsolete under the veil of a prophesized convergence. That would have finally proven the non-otologic, historically contingent and unhappy nature of the division of Europe and remind Europeans of the wider size of their continent and the inclusive and empowering nature of their values. Yet still, 20 years after the revolutions in the Central and Eastern European countries, Leon Mark, while arguing that the category of Eastern Europe is outdated and misleading, bitterly asks a still relevant question: ‘will Europe ever give up the need to have an East?’(5) Eastern Europe was invented as a region and continues to be re-invented from outside and inside. From outside its invention was connected with alterity making processes, and, from inside the region, the Central and Eastern European countries got into a civilizational beauty contest themselves in search of drawing the most western profile: what’s Central Europe, what’s more Eastern, what’s more Ottoman, Balkan, Byzantine, who is the actual kidnapped kid of the West, who can build better credentials by pushing the Easterness to the next border. A wide variety of scholars addressed the western narratives of making the Eastern European other as an outcome of cultural politics of enlightenment, as an effect of EU’s need to delineate its borders, as an outcome of its views on security, or as a type of ‘orientalism’ or post-colonialism. Most of these types of approaches are still useful in analyzing the persistence of a East-West slope. The region is understood now under a process of convergence, socialization and Europeanization that will have as outcomes an ‘ever closer union’ where the East and the West will fade away as categories. Yet the reality is far from such an outcome while the persistence of categories of alterity making towards the ‘East’ is not always dismantled. The discourses on core/non-core, new Europe/old Europe, pioneers/followers, teachers/pupils, centre/periphery, cosmos/chaos are often maintaining significant ground within the arena of European identity narratives often yet not exclusively voiced by the EU. The Euroacademia International Conference ‘Re-Inventing Eastern Europe’ aims rather than asserting to make a case and to provide alternative views on the dynamics, persistence and manifestations of the practices of alterity making that take place in Europe and broadly in the mental mappings of the world. It offers an opportunity for scholars, activists and practitioners to locate, discuss and debate the multiple dimensions in which specific narratives of alterity making towards Eastern Europe preserve their salience today in re-furbished and re-fashioned manners. The conference aims to look at the processes of alterity making as puzzles and to address the persistence of the East-West dichotomies. - Regional Studies Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2018/Itemid,26/ Historically, the EU is both curious and controversial: it is hard to explain from a state-centrist view the delegation of sovereignty and the fragile agreement on the gradual extension of the EU powers together with externalizations of the decision making to a polity that can be described, as Jacques Delors expressed it, as an unidentified political object. However, in the last 60 years the European Union absorbed increasing amounts of intellectual and political energies that attempted to singularly or complementary explain the nature of the beast and the logic of the processes unfolded within. A large amount of theoretical assumptions, methodological choices and explanatory techniques were imported from different fields of research to constitute what gradually took the shape of the EU studies. Still today, the European Union is seen as a unique project of regional integration that is unsettled and unfinished and yet a particular scientific vocabulary takes shape and influences research and policy making. The present conference aims to take into account the enormous creative energies invested in understanding and shaping the project of the European Union from the limited competences granted at the creation of the European Economic Community till the current formulation of the post-national understandings of its evolution. From neo-functionalism to constructivism as IR theoretical imports to the EU seen as a political system in itself or as a post-national order, an overwhelming variety of puzzles and controversies animate the arena of the EU studies and bring partial agreements, alternative explanations, mutually exclusive proposals and unpredicted consequences regarding vital factors that shape the EU as a polity. Even the explanatory models often considered outdated prove to be resourceful in confronting determined policies, processes or institutional choices inside the EU. The innovation together with constant reevaluation, reformulation and revisiting of the past accounts seem to be the trademark of the EU studies. The plurality of approaches stands as the optimal choice in dealing with the diverse, multileveled, multitiered and multicentered reality of the European Union. Yet the advantage of plurality was also often used to blame the epistemological weaknesses and inaccuracies resulted from fragmentation and limited empirical applicability of particular trends inside European studies. The excessive conceptual imports from other fields and the limited methodological creativity were also established as skeptical positionings towards the European studies seen as a cohesive field of research and scholarship. The Euroacademia International Conference ‘Reviewing the Trends: The European Union from a Regulatory Institution to a Post-national Cosmopolitan Order’ aims to bring openly on the floor of debate and discussion both the past and the contemporary trends in the study of the European Union trough the use of the magnifying glasses. The conference seeks to create an opportunity for evaluative accounts of essential developments within the study of the European Union. These accounts are to be understood as creative moments for articulating current concerns in the frame of disciplinary dialogue and methodological constrains or opportunities provided by the established traditions in the field of European studies. It is an opportunity for revisiting and assessing the persistent epistemological challenges in the field, the inheritances and their creative potential, the orthodoxies but also the heresies. The conference welcomes panel and paper proposals dealing with one or multiple traditions, trends and methodological choices within the arena of European Studies. The panels and papers are expected to provide a critical assessment or a comprehensive valorization of one of the central or out of the mainstream approaches applied to the European Union. Papers that address new puzzles, alternative theoretical choices or methodological corrections/innovations are welcomed. Both theoretical and empirical enquiries are equally considered. - Regional Studies Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2017/Itemid,26/ Euroacademia aims to bring together a wide and worldwide network of academics, researchers, practitioners and activists that identify their concerns and practices with the generic field of the European Studies. Contested in epistemological terms as an autonomous field, the European Studies generated however starting the 20th century disciplinary and inter-disciplinary scientific communities, particular interests, methodologies and puzzles, schools, specializations, interests and academic events that indicate a dynamic framing of its particular identity. The First Global Convention of European Studies aims to bring in an open floor for discussions, debates, reflection and sharing the features, topics, puzzles, methods, trends, schools and heresies within the field of European Studies. It searches to address its identity as a field of studies through providing a framework for researches and practitioners to present their certitudes and dilemmas, their topics and inquiries, their claims and counter-claims that bring to live the European specificity of exposing itself to constant constructive criticism and reevaluation. The First Global Convention of European Studies starts from the assumption that in the 21st Century, Europe preserves its long-lasting saliency for researchers and practitioners, that specific dynamics of change and/or resistance to change inside Europe influences contemporary manners of addressing social, political, cultural or any other type of reflection. However, the formation of the European Studies as a more or less autonomous field for research relied and often still does on substantial conceptual imports from a wide variety of established fields and often of non-European provenience. These imports and the specific way of reshaping the research apparatus opened the way for both assertive attitudes and contestation. It is the aim of The First Global Convention of European Studies to create an opportunity for assessing the state of the art today, the pros and the cons, the added value and also the question marks that might strengthen or weaken the profile of European Studies as a distinctive field. The conference is opened to the widest variety of topics understood or perceived as being connected with the field of European Studies from meta-analytical views, to on-going puzzles, methodological proposals and/or assessments, specific topics, issues or shared experiences. The First Global Convention of European Studies aims also to become a meeting point and an opportunity for dissemination, valorization, socialization, contact making and research agenda shaping that will to generate a future collaborative framework for all those involved in understanding Europe in its past, present and future dimensions. The First Global Convention of European Studies is intended as a pretext to provide a dialogical opportunity and experience for all the participants to address and express their views, works, puzzles or criticisms regarding the state of the art and the specific concerns for European Studies today. - Regional Studies Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.worldconferencecalendar.com/component/option,com_conference/page,show_ad/catid,3/adid,2016/Itemid,26/ The Euroacademia International Conference ‘The European Union and the Politicization of Europe’ aims to survey some of these current debates and addresses once more the challenges of the EU polity in a context of multiple crises that confronted Europe in recent years. It supports a transformative view that involves balanced weights of optimism and pessimism in a belief that the unfold of current events and the way EU deals with delicate problems will put an increased pressure in the future on matters of accountability and will require some institutional adjustments that address democratic requirements for decision making. However in its present shape and context the EU does not look able to deliver soon appropriate answers to democratic demands. In a neo-functionalist slang we can say as an irony that the actual crisis in the EU legitimacy is a ‘spillover’ effect of institutional choices made some time before. To address the EU’s democratic deficit however is not to be a skeptic and ignore the benefits that came with it but to acknowledge the increasing popular dissatisfaction with ‘occult’ office politics and with the way EU tackles daily problems of public concern while the public is more and more affected by decisions taken at the European level. Still, while looking back at the democratic theory that re-emerged so vivid and articulate in the 20th century political thought it is a topic of serious reflection how the dissatisfaction as a political attitude is the one that installed within the choices of European citizens and not the expected or prophesized reactive political behavior of civil society against any unaccountable extension of political powers. Such an assertive reactive attitude was to be expected from a democratic theory point of view since in democracy, in Karl Popper’s (1945) classical terms now, the citizens will develop a deep aversion for any extension of political powers and the will to correct through elections the perceived political errors. While democracy is viewed as grounded in the principles of legitimacy and accountability it is historically very interesting how the contemporary citizens of consolidated democracies got used to and coped with living inside non-democratic political frames and patterns of decision making. In a very strange way the EU tends to resemble a historicist project through the way it sacrificed democracy for pushing historical goals ahead the control over the means for achieving them. Something that would look unconceivable to classical theorists of democracy and should be gradually corrected by the adversity of people for any expansions of political powers became nowadays a regular practice of dealing with or deciding on daily issues of European people’s concern. Whether this is connected solely with the “obscure” and complicated nature of the EU and the limited understandings of it by the European people or the results of a general attenuation of democratic practices and a popular disenchantment with democracy itself is in the aim of the conference to provide intelligible answers. However, taken seriously the democratic deficit issue is the sign that some of the expectations formulated within the theory of democracy were not fulfilled while historical political circumstances in Europe still generated trade-offs between pragmatic and democratic choices. Until what limit the European public will accept to let EU mind its own business without being held accountable remains to be seen. Is the EU becoming an increasingly politicized entity? Is the on-going politicization of Europe a structured or a messy one? Do political parties within the European Parliament act in a manner that strengthens the view of the EU as an articulate political system? Are there efficient ways for addressing the democratic deficit issue? Can we find usable indicators for detecting an emerging European demos and a European civil society? Does a Europeanization of the masses take place or the EU remains a genuinely elitist project? Did the Lisbon Treaty introduced significant changes regarding the challenges facing the EU? Can we see any robust improvements in the accountability of the EU decision making processes? Are there alternative ways of looking at the politicization processes and redistributive policies inside the EU? These are only few of the large number of questions that unfold when researchers or practitioners look at the EU. It is the aim of the Euroacademia International Conference ‘The European Union and the Politicization of Europe’ to address in a constructive manner such questions and to offer o platform for dissemination of research results or puzzles that can contribute to a better understanding of the on-going process of politicization within the European Union. - Regional Studies Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0100