II CONFERENCIA INTERNACIONAL de SOCIOLOGÍA de las POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS y SOCIALES
TIEMPOS de RUPTURA y OPORTUNIDAD
II International Conference on Sociology of Public and Social Policies
TIMES of RUPTURE and OPPORTUNITY
MAY 25-26, 2015
Chair: Juan David Gómez Quintero, jdgomez@unizar.es
This working group aims to be a forum for discussion to analyze the interaction of the various actors in the public sphere in the current context. In particular, it is important to analyze the situation of Third Sector organizations, social movements, civil society organizations and the general public in a setting characterized by the crisis of the Welfare State, the transition to a postindustrial economy and the consequences of a liquid society. Some questions that can stimulate this debate are: What is the degree of involvement of civil society in the direction that public policies adopt? What is the origin of the unusual interest that aroused civic participation in the context of the crisis? Should public participation be promoted by public administrations? What repercussions do corruption and disaffection with the political parties have on the forms of participation? These and other issues raised by speakers and participants will be analyzed in this group.
(2). New political parties and new social movements
Chairs: José Angel Bergua, David Pac and Cecilia Serrano, (davidpac@unizar.es)
In the last decade political parties have appeared that bring into the debate different discourses, other forms of organization and the incorporation of new topics. This is the case of the Pirate Party in Northern Europe, the Five Stars Movement in Italy, “Podemos” in Spain, CUP in Catalonia, Syriza in Greece, Ecuador, Bolivia, etc. In addition, the last decade has also seen the emergence of social movements whose characteristics challenge studies by specialists. This is true of the Spanish 15M, some of the "Arab Spring" movements, Occupy Wall Street, Crop and Queer movements, Brazilian and Chilean student conflicts, etc. The aim of this group is to reflect on these and other experiences to attempt to make a diagnosis about the nature of political change that is occurring both in the centre of the system (Political parties) and on its periphery (social movements) and scenarios that may occur.
(3). Social innovation and institutional innovation.
Chairs: Maria Victoria Sanagustín Fons and Lourdes Casajús Murillo, (vitico@unizar.es)
This working group starts from the hypothesis that changes and reflected social innovations in the definition and implementation of public and social policies are directly and indirectly promoted in innovative institutional environments, in which there is a transparent, accountable and ethical management. The papers presented in this working group will aim to prove and discuss this hypothesis from the theoretical approach of New Institutionalism in Sociology and various analysis methods.
(4). The governance of the religious question
Chair: Nuria del Olmo, (nolmov@unizar.es)
Despite the social and institutional secularization processes that have developed in contemporary societies, we can not ignore the importance that public management of the religious question has -directly and indirectly- on the public agenda in many states.
Papers are invited that reflect on the influence of religion on public policy, both in processes of social cohesion (ethnic / cultural conflict resolution and / or class conflicts, regulation and granting cultural rights of minorities, etc.) as well as in processes of political exploitation of religion that lead to social disruptions (control mechanisms from government elites, opposing positions in international relations etc.)
5. Design and Evaluation of Migration Policies
Chairs: Carlos Gomez Bahillo & Antonio Eito, (cgomez@unizar.es)
The purpose of this group is to analyze the design and evaluation of integration and coexistence plans that aim to promote intercultural relations among residents, keeping the identities of the different groups and collectives that make up society. The consolidation of intercultural society necessarily involves the recognition of the democratic rights of all citizens, regardless of their birthplace. Do existing schemes perform this function?
(6). New forms of participation with regard to children
Chairs: María José Bernuz & Teresa Picontó, (mbernuz@unizar.es)
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 advances the consolidation of children's rights, especially in relation to the rights of participation and autonomy. In this group we would like to discuss some of the advances and experiences related to child participation in the various areas of social, political and legal life: among others educational, judicial, child welfare fields, family or labour policies.
(7). Crisis and the labour market. Should there be a change of policy?
Chairs: Victor Montuenga and Jesús Clemente, (vimontue@unizar.es)
The so-called Great Recession has impacted sharply on the Spanish economy, especially on the labour market. Apart from a dramatic increase in unemployment rates and lengthening periods of unemployment (LTU), many analysts say that the policies carried out have favoured an increase in the wage gap and potential negative effects on women's employment. In this framework we will assess whether current labour policies are appropriate or whether there should be change. In this respect it is necessary to conduct rigorous evaluations of policies that have been implemented as well as rigorously lay the foundations for the proposal of alternative policies.
(8). Active and healthy ageing: promoting civic participation among the elderly.
Chair: Marta Gil Lacruz y Ana I. Gil Lacruz, (mglacruz@unizar.es)
One of the major public health challenges in modern societies is to achieve a healthy and active ageing. If no action is taken, the inversion of the population pyramid will have a huge impact on the economy, health, social development and health care systems. The state of health of citizens depends not only on multiple factors such as access to and use of quality health goods and services, biological processes, environmental factors, but also on individual behaviour.
In this working group will try to analyze how volunteering with the elderly can promote sustainable well-being in old age. At present it is important to give visibility to alternative public health policies that promote leisure activities among the elderly. Volunteering with the elderly empowers them to deal with the difficulties of retirement, physical decline and inactivity, which positively reinforces their health and sense of happiness.
