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 special sessions on:

• "Social protection actions within the IPA programme"
  sponsored by DG Enlargement;
• "Labour market and employment in CEE"
  sponsored by the ERSTE Foundation.

Other special sessions may also be organised and will be announced on 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 with subject line: “Call for papers – 2^nd Conference of the LSEE Research Network on Social Cohesion in SEE”
 
 

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 on the conference website), but delegates are welcome to make their own accommodation arrangements. Coffee/tea and buffet lunch will be provided on each day of the conference.
 
 
 
Organisers
 
The conference is organised by LSEE Research on South Eastern Europe at the London School of Economics and benefits from financial assistance from the National Bank of Greece, for whose support we are extremely grateful.
 
 
 
About LSEE
 
LSEE (LSE Research on South Eastern Europe) is a research unit established within LSE's European Institute. It was officially launched at the start of the 2009-10 academic year. Drawing on the strength of existing and new academic expertise at the LSE, and complementing the work of the Hellenic Observatory and the Contemporary Turkish Studies Programme, LSEE aims to provide a significant platform on which to build high quality, independent research and facilitate public dialogue and dissemination of information on the region. LSEE provides a forum for research collaboration not only within the LSE and the UK, but also with external partners in South Eastern Europe and beyond. Under this aegis, LSEE organises a series of public events related to its research – lectures, seminars, workshops and conferences – both at the LSE and in the region. To find out more visit our website www.lse.ac.uk/lsee.

More information:

http://us7.campaign-archive1.com/?u=a1038d6a4c2c2c066dc7839cf&id=d784e665f6&e=f426e1de56