Themes
The key themes of the conference will be:
- Local development in the context of an ageing population
- Healthy Cities
- Contribution from University in a time of crisis
- The role of higher education institutions in remote regions
1. Local development in the context of an ageing population
The population is aging in all developed economies; a trend which is of significant concern in terms of the growing challenge of financing state pensions and welfare. In addition senior unemployment continues to grow. This conference theme considers the following:
- The skills and knowledge of seniors for regional competitively
- Health (echoing the WHO Age Friendly Cities Programme)
- Social and economic inclusion
- The emerging opportunities for (and from?) young people in the context of a "lost generation"
- The role of Universities and Higher Education and the aging population
- Best practice cases from developing nations
2. Healthy Cities
The WHO ‘Healthy Cities’ project provides an example of the type of global and multifaceted approach to understanding a totality of health-related issues facing the population on a daily basis and in particular, where links can be drawn with their region. The conference seeks to address this issue from a range of viewpoints:
- Local partnership structures
- The role of education and specifically universities
- Social health determinants
- Applied research…
3. Contribution from University in a time of crisis
This third theme, builds on the recurrent and topical subject of crisis: economic crisis, social crisis, political crises, but also crises related to climatic and environmental events. Within our universities, we have a wealth of engaged actors (students, teachers, researchers) without whom we would not be able to measure the causes nor the consequences of thee crises. We propose therefore to examine, from whichever angle, questions covering:
- The roles and responsibilities of universities and the results of their research
- Independence and funding
- Elite and popular education
- Responsibility and issue raising…
4. The role of higher education institutions in remote regions and territorial impact.
The PASCAL International Observatory has undertaken studies in numerous regions of the World to examine the relationship between economic, social and cultural development and the presence of higher education institutions. This theme will build on these questions with an especial consideration for remote or isolated regions, those which may be far major population centres and decision-making and which may have gaining populations. The scientific impact of higher education and its high-level activities will be studied in a context where remote and isolated regions are often forgotten in initiatives which seek to establish international classification. Examples of best practice from local initiatives, which are often the result of bringing together individuals from very diverse backgrounds and disciplines, are especially welcomed under this theme, including
- The Lifelong learning strategy of universities
- Sustainable economy and rural areas…