The PASCAL Observatory on Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions invites contributions to its 5th international conference on the theme of ‘Lifelong Learning in the City-Region’ in Pecs, Hungary.

The aim of the conference is to review issues which have emerged from research and practice undertaken with a focus on the role of lifelong learning at the regional or city level whether it be with an economic or a social goal. The conference is designed to appeal to researchers, policy-makers and practitioners. On the one hand it invites researchers to examine contemporary research issues empirically, methodologically and theoretically; on the other it invites those whose primary concern is practice and its implementation to share their experiences with us.

A number of leading figures from the international research and policy-making communities have been invited to provide an analysis of the issues emerging from research and practice. Papers from a wide range of researchers, policy-makers and practitioners will complement these keynote presentations. We are especially interested in papers that address a ‘community’ perspective. A number of ‘roundtable’ sessions will allow for debate and discussion on particular topics.

We invite contributions to roundtable discussions with the following three themes:

• The role of lifelong learning in the modified Lisbon Strategy of the EU
• Learning regions and local and regional economic development and employability
• The effectiveness of the learning region model in enhancing social cohesion

Within the broad theme of the learning city-region we invite traditional academic papers, policy and practice papers and demonstration projects, which will be grouped into sub-themes as follows:

• Interregional policy development
• Cross border partnerships and collaboration
• Managing networks and partnerships in the lifelong learning region
• The lifelong learning region as a tool for developing active citizenship
• Lifelong learning regions and social partnerships
• The role of ICT in developing social capital at regional level
• Learning needs of regional and municipal authorities and agencies
• Economic benefits and social stability in lifelong learning regions
• Profiting from the knowledge society at regional level
• The lifelong learning region as a complex system
• The academic development of adult education within the regions of the Central-European Association of Universities

ABSTRACTS SHOULD INDICATE:

The nature of the paper, for example, whether it is a report on completed research, work in progress, an analytical or discussion paper, a demonstration project of practice or a roundtable contribution. A roundtable proposal should consist of between three and five short
contributions on one of three key themes listed above, whilst other proposals may be focussed on any of the eleven sub-themes above.

• The issues the paper raises
• The relationship of the paper to other literature, research, etc.
• The approach to the topic, and where relevant an outline of methodology, sample, etc.
• Conclusions and recommendations

PROPOSALS MUST CLEARLY STATE:

• The sub-theme for which the abstract is submitted
• Full name(s), job title(s), place(s) of employment, postal, telephone, fax and e-mail address(es) of proposers

Each paper will be allocated 35 minutes in duration. Presentations should be no longer than 25 minutes, leaving at least 10 minutes for discussion and questions. Roundtables will be allocated 70 minutes. Completed papers should not exceed 4000 words. All published papers will have been subject to an anonymous, full refereeing process.

For more details of PASCAL see http://www.obs-pascal.com .

‘This book has the great strength of being based on an extremely rich and detailed foundation of research data. Because of this, it is able to firmly locate workplace learning within the wider settings of the employment relationship and widely differing organisational strategies. It should be required reading for all involved in public policy on skills.’ – Ewart Keep, University of Cardiff, UK

‘Improving Workplace Learning… deserves the attention of all interested in practical job redesign to enhance both workplace learning and fulfilling work.’ – David W. Livingstone, University of Toronto, Canada

By Karen Evans, Institute of Education, University of London, UK, Phil Hodkinson, University of Leeds, UK, Helen Rainbird, Birmingham Business School, UK and Lorna Unwin, University of Leicester, UK
With Alison Fuller, Heather Hodkinson, Natasha Kersh, Anne Munro and Peter Senker

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This exceptional volume challenges conventional thinking by showing how workplace learning can be improved if close attention is paid to the relationship between organizational context, individual worker biographies, and regulatory frameworks. Multi-authored, but with a centrally organized and clear argument, it takes a broad perspective on workplace learning as in, for, and through the workplace.

A unique analysis, Evans, Hodkinson, Rainbird and Unwin bring together social and individual perspectives and explain the uneven impact of workplace learning policies. In doing so, this book gives a wide audience of students, practitioners, policy-makers and researchers access to information and linked guidelines for the further improvement of such learning.

ISBN Hb: 0-415-37119-8: £75.00 Pb: 0-415-37120-1: £21.99

Available from Routledge Taylor-Francis

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