8th Annual ESPAnet conference - Social Policy and the Global Crisis: Consequences and Responses September 1, 2010

The Annual ESPAnet Conferences focus on changing paradigms in European social policy and in European social policy analysis. The conferences provide a forum for theoretical and methodological questions, reflections on inter- and multi-disciplinarity in social policy research and discussions of new trends.The conferences are open to all who are active in social policy research and welcomes contributions from all relevant disciplines.

Conference Theme:

The theme of ESPAnet’s 2010 Annual Conference is the social consequences of the global financial crisis and their differential impacts across Europe. The main questions for consideration include:

How is the crisis affecting already existing inequalities? How are different social classes and groups, especially those in poverty, affected by the crisis? What are the adaptable capacities of the different “worlds of welfare”? Does the intensifying social vulnerability lead to the re-structuring of the programs to provide more security? How far have new programs been developed, and how far have new questions of social policy and welfare been opened up by the crisis?

We would like to broaden the horizon of social policy analysis and see global environmental concerns taken into account: How far are responses to the crisis re-thinking the role of the national and international/global state and the role of the European Union in creating economically, socially and environmentally sustainable societies?

Stream Themes:

• Social Policy and Environmental Sustainability


• Migrants, Ethnic Minorities and Social Policy


• Poverty and Social Exclusion


• Comparative Methodology


• Gender Equity and Social Policy


• Social Work and Social Policy: Control or Empowerment?


• European Social Policy in a Global Perspective


• Economic Crises and Social Policy Reactions in the Past and Present


• Social Assistance Schemes


• Employment Policies


• Pension Policies


• Health Policies


• Caring Work and Caring Workers in Europe and beyond


• Family Policies and the Reconciling of Paid Work and Care


• Post-Socialist Welfare Systems


• Measuring the Quality of Life: A New Approach in Social Policy?


• Open Stream

Conference information provided by konferenciakalauz.hu

Official Website: http://www.espanet2010.net/en/