Joint Nordic Conference, 24-25
November, 2011:
Jointly arranged by the Nordic Development Research Associations, institutions
and organisations
Venue: Copenhagen Business School (CBS), Copenhagen
Second announcement and call for panels and workshops
Extension of deadline for expressions of interest: 1st June 2011
The Nordic countries have in different ways impacted on
Development Policy, Aid and Research. The Nordic model(s) emphasising social policies, the key role of
public governance and the fight against poverty and inequalities are by some seen
as prominent perspectives alongside e.g. the Washington Consensus. Nevertheless, the
foot prints on global agenda have been modest. Additionally, the complexity and
challenges of development issues keep growing, including financial crises, climate and
growing
inequalities. The need for timely, relevant, critical and stimulating
research is as big as ever. What can the Nordic perspective(s) contribute with? First, there is
need to take a step back and investigate the Nordic approach(es) more closely. What are
the similarities - and what are the differences? Second, there is a need to
discuss the Nordic Development Research vis-a-vis global Development Research. What are the
trends? Who are setting the directions? Where is the renewal needed to respond to
the present challenges?
On the one hand, the field of Development Research has been able to respond continuously to the new challenges over the last 50 years, producing
stimulating and thought provoking research (new approaches, new methodologies, new
theories, extending both mono- and cross/inter disciplinary areas of study and
innovate ways of publication and dissemination). On the other hand, as the field of
Development Studies is becoming increasing broader - and more fragmented - (e.g. including
studies of youth, climate change and fragile states to mention a few issues) and as funding
agencies and publics at large increase their demands for 'relevance' of Development
Research, the future is by no means certain. Renewal is pertinent and needed.
We would like to encourage Nordic Development Researchers to engage with each other and with colleagues, practitioners and policy makers. Emphasis
should be on exploring what was/is/will be (a) Nordic perspective(s), what common
research approaches (whether theoretical, methodological, epistemological, or
ethical etc) do exist - if they exist? And do we have common perspectives on development
policy and aid - or not? And whether (increased) joint Nordic initiatives have merit
in relation to emphasis on EU and Global research environments? How do our Southern
research partners perceive the Nordic perspective(s)? We encourage all disciplines
whether economic, political, social, geographic, cultural address pertinent topics
whether migration, economic development, political culture, labour geography,
youth, health, private sector development, poverty reduction etc, etc. The conference
seeks to make the 'case' for joint Nordic research in terms of substance areas,
methodology, theory, relevance etc and hereby contribute to further expansion of such
collaboration. Accordingly, proposals for joint Nordic panels and workshops are invited.
Moreover engagement with colleagues from around the world and in particular the
Global South is equally encouraged. Expression of interest: Send 1/2 - 1 A4
page of text indicating an interest to a) organise a particular workshop and/or panel discussion (in such case, please
include the title of the panel/workshop, contact information of the panel/workshop coordinator
and a short description of the overall theme or idea), b) take part in a workshop or
panel organised by others, c) to write and present a paper, d) suggest (a) key
note presenter(s) and/or other international scholars to invite, to the
organising committee at the secretariat of FAU: fau@diis.dk A workshop can consist of 1-3 sessions, each of 1 1/2 hours
duration, bring together few or many researchers (and practitioners and policy makers, if wished)
from each of the Nordic countries, include one or more international research
colleagues from Northern and/or Southern research institutions, present papers, use
discussants to provide input for discussion, and aim for publication after the conference.
A panel can be a plenary or smaller group discussion, of 1 1/2 hours duration,
bring together researchers (or practitioners or policy makers, if wished) from
each of the Nordic countries, include one or more international research colleagues
from Northern and/or Southern research institutions, present and discuss a pertinent
topic within the theme of the conference.
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