Background

Over the last two decades the countries of South Eastern Europe (SEE) have been undergoing lengthy structural reforms as a consequence of the combined processes of economic transition, social change, administrative reform, post-conflict reconstruction, state-building and preparations for accession to the EU. Moreover, these countries are located within a region that over the last twenty years has suffered from political instability, multiple economic crises, growing social polarization, ethnic fragmentation and increasing spatial inequalities, all of which has been exacerbated by the ongoing economic crisis that began at the end of the last decade.

Despite the importance of these issues, the study of social and economic inclusion and cohesion has not developed sufficiently in SEE in comparison with Western Europe or the Central East European countries. In most SEE countries the consequences of growing social problems have been underestimated and social issues have generally remained in the shadow of other priorities on the policy agenda.

Aims

The conference aims to provide a forum for the presentation, dissemination and discussion of the latest research findings on topics related to questions of exclusion, inclusion and social and economic cohesion in South Eastern Europe and in countries in the wider ‘transition’ region. Researchers from all social science disciplines including social policy, political economy, economics, political science, public administration, sociology, and socio-legal studies are invited to submit abstracts of their papers.

Conference Themes

• Exclusion and inequality in the labour market
• Poverty, inequality and social protection
• Education attainment, exclusion and inequalities of opportunity
• Health inequalities, health deprivation and health policy
• Inclusion/exclusion of minorities / Roma
• Social economy and social enterprise
• Socio-economic cohesion and the SEE 2020 Strategy
• Social housing

Special sessions

The conference will host:

• a special session on "Social protection actions within the IPA programme", sponsored by DG Enlargement.
• a special session on "Labour market and employment in CEE", sponsored by the ERSTE Foundation.

Other special sessions may also be organised and will be announced at the conference website.

Important dates

20 January 2014: Deadline for submission of abstracts
27 January 2014: Notification of acceptance
24 March 2014: Delivery of full conference paper; circulation to discussants
27-28 March 2014: Conference London

Abstracts

Abstracts of no more than 400 words should contain the title, author(s) name and affiliation, and contact details. Abstracts should clearly state the aims of the paper, the methodology used and the conference theme to which the paper is addressed. Abstracts should be submitted by 20 January 2014 via email to LSEE, European Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science: EUROINST.LSEE@LSE.AC.UK

Travel, accommodation and catering

There is no fee for participation at the conference, but conference participants will have to cover their accommodation and travel costs themselves. A limited number of rooms will be reserved for conference participants at a local hotel (details to follow), but delegates are welcome to make their own accommodation arrangements. Coffee/tea and buffet lunch will be provided on each day of the conference.