__________________________________________________
Call for Papers "Matchpoints in Globalisation: The Knowledge-Based Economy, Identities and the Transforming State" International Interdisciplinary Conference Political Studies Association of Ireland Irish Department of Foreign Affairs Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Danish Ministry of Economy and Business Affairs University of Aarhus Aarhus (Denmark) 15-17 November 2007 __________________________________________________ IDEA AND THEMES OF THE CONFERENCE: The idea of the conference may be summed up in a question: How can societies achieve economic growth without forfeiting the social cohesion and democratic values that may arguably be the sine qua non of successful globalisation? Matchpoints in Globalisation represents an innovation in academic culture. First, it aims to bring together people from academia, the business world, political life, the civil service and organisations. Secondly, it is a result of a transnational and trans-institutional collaboration of an unusual kind and scale. Matchpoints in Globalisation is also unusual in its great number of invited speakers. Still, there will be room for plenty of workshops to which international researchers and scholars may contribute. The conference will take its point of departure in a series of comparisons between Denmark and Ireland. So far, these two countries have been extremely successful in adapting to the globalised market, and they are now two of the worlds richest economies. The Danish and Irish models will serve as examples and points of reference which will open up for a more general discussion of the tendencies, counter-tendencies and nature of globalisation. All over Europe and also in Ireland and Denmark - there is now general agreement among experts and political decision makers that in order to achieve economic growth in the future, there is a vital need for investment in research and innovation, in value-added production, in high-tech production equipment and in creating a highly educated workforce both on national and local levels. But there is also an increasing awareness that success in the global marketplace will depend on more than this. Even now, competitiveness may be seen also a result of more immeasurable factors such as social capital and social capability, i.e. a countrys institutional, cultural and human resources. The so-called Danish (flexecurity) model, which has caused global attention over the past few years, is a product of a particular institutional and social tradition and history. It thus exemplifies how new methods of analysis are crucial if we want to understand why economic globalisation creates both winners and losers, and why globalisation is not a unitary force with the same effects everywhere in the world. Against neo-liberal orthodoxy and expectations, globalisation now also seems to call for bringing the state back in, but in a new way. Again, Ireland and Denmark may be used as examples since the economic success of both countries may partly be explained as a result of institutionalised dialogues and partnerships between the private and the public sectors. Both showcase how the state may participate in economic development as a market facilitator: through modernising regulation, creating an enterprise culture and investing in research, innovation, education and the up-skilling of the workforce. The two examples also show a general trend today: How political government is increasingly supplemented by instruments of more indirect governance that blur the distinctions between the public and the private sectors. It is obvious to many contemporary experts and political observers that the market, civil society and the state share an interest in achieving economic growth and competitiveness without forfeiting vital social and political needs such as social cohesion and stability, environmental sustainability, democratic accountability, and the active participation of the citizenry in a multi-level system of political governance. The conference will explore whether this assessment is correct. It will also examine and discuss how these exigencies interact and may be met. CALL FOR PAPERS: Contributions may address the following themes and subjects: Political theory, economics and sociology: 1. Globalisation and the role of the public sector 2. Social capital and social capability as factors in economic development 4. The knowledge-based economy: macro and micro-economic studies 5. Theorising globalisation 6. Globalisation as a challenge to social cohesion 7. Globalisation, regionalisation and the transformation of the state 8. Transnational management Culture, history, language and higher education: 9. Ireland, Denmark and EU: from modernisation to globalisation 10. Translation theory and intercultural communication 11. Identity and globalisation 12. Nationality and cosmopolitanism 13. Market, research and higher education. CONFERENCE LANGUAGE: English. ATTENDANCE AND REGISTRATION: You may contribute to the seminar/conference with or without a paper. As there will be more invited speakers than at usual conferences, the number of papers will be limited to 50. In addition there will be room for another 40 participants who want to attend without presenting a paper. In order to secure participation in either capacity, please register as soon as possible. LENGTH OF PAPERS: Papers should not exceed 20 minutes delivery. DEADLINES AND INFORMATION: Enquiries and submissions (incl. name, affiliation, title of contribution, and abstract of no more than 200 words) should be sent by 1 June 2007 to: Michael Böss Department of Language, Literature and Culture University of Aarhus DK-8000 Aarhus DENMARK Tel. +45 8942 6532, 45 9842 6501 and +45 2093 4818 E-mail: [email protected] ONLINE REGISTRATION: www.matchpoints.dk CONFERENCE FEE: Euro 130/DKK 1 000, covering lunch and dinner Thursday, lunch Friday and Saturday, and coffee. There will be an additional fee of Euro 40/DKK 300 for those who wish to attend the post-conference dinner. And also a small fee for the short post-conference tour. CONFERENCE VENUE: The conference will take place at University of Aarhus. Aarhus is Denmarks attractive second city situated on the east coast of Jutland. It has a rich array of cultural institutions, beautiful surroundings and a vibrant night life with many excellent restaurants. Contact: Michael Boss Department of Language, Literature and Culture University of Aarhus DK-8000 Aarhus Denmark Tel: +45 8942 6532, +45 9842 6501, and +45 2093 4818 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.matchpoints.dk __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org
