Across Europe, there is increasing political concern about social cohesion. Globalization, migration, de-industrialization and individualization are considered forces putting social cohesion under strain. In particular, these developments manifest themselves in fragmented urban areas. While measures to facilitate social inclusion deal with single individuals, measures to develop social cohesion address the broader whole – social groups and communities.
The ethos of the active society is permeating political strategies to restore social cohesion, in terms of specific measures undertaken and the ways these measures are organized.
Two policy areas stand out as objects of growing political interest: child-care and social activation. At a certain level, investing in these areas shares the rationale of countering social divisions within communities. Hence, they are regarded as sharing the potential not only to prepare individuals for active citizenship in a post-industrial and multicultural society, but also to strengthen communities – stimulating mutual trust, collaboration, and shared identities. One expect this to occur through adjusting and reconciling norms, enhancing cognitive and social competencies, stimulating language skills, and fostering social networks, while also mobilizing marginal labour power and providing authorities with a certain degree of control over the whereabouts of vulnerable groups.
With regard to the organization of these measures, there is a trend towards increased involvement of private organizations, such as commercial enterprises or voluntary associations, resulting in patterns of governance that are more complex than previously. In this respect it is not only local welfare systems that are activating their inhabitants – it is also local welfare systems being activated themselves through new overarching strategies of governance.
This seminar brings together experts in local welfare systems, urban social problems and governance to critically explore the linkages between these diverse policy areas as instruments for creating social cohesion in disadvantaged urban areas.
The seminar is part of a series under the auspices of NCoE REASSESS, Research Strand 7: Activation and new governance structures.
Det virtuelle REASSESS-senteret ledes av NOVA.
Time: October 21st, 13.00-17.00
Place: Litteraturhuset, Wergelandsveien 29, Room 'Nedjma'
Programme:
13.00-13.30
'Activating local welfare systems through child-care and activation: Introduction to an exploratory seminar' by Associate Professor Ivan Harsløf (Oslo University College)
13.30-14.20
'Local welfare systems and the challenge of multi-ethnic and fragmented cities' by Professor Enzo Mingione (University of Milano-Bicocca)
14.20-15.10
'Activation at the local level: the interplay between new governance structures and new scales of reference' by Professor Yuri Kazepov (Urbino University)
15.10-15.30
Coffee break
15.30-16.20
'Early child-care and local social cohesion in Italy' by Dr. Alberta Andreotti and Dr. Stefania Sabatinelli (University of Milano-Bicocca)
16.20-17.00
Panel discussion: 'Targeting communities through active measures: Potentials and pitfalls' with Professor Enzo Mingione, Professor Yuri Kazepov, Dr. Alberta Andreotti and Dr. Stefania Sabatinelli. Chaired by Professor Steinar Stjernø (Oslo University College)
To sign up for the seminar, please send an email to giv@sam.hio.no no later than October 15
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