Supporting Sustainable Communities in Times of Emergency: Participation, Empowerment and Democratic Innovations at Local Level

Abstracts: June 15, 2011. Extended: June 30, 2011

The ISA Research Committee on Sociotechnics/Sociological Practice, RC26, is organizing this forum with the Direction of Sociology of Work, Postgraduate Programme, Department of Pedagogy, University of Athens and the Sociology of Work Laboratory, Sociology Department, University of the Aegean.

This is a forum whereby we wish to discuss the diverse aspects of globalization and the issues of empowering local communities, the role of social capital and the social economy in such processes. The choice of Athens is indicative of our commitment to address current policy issues and dilemmas in one of the present tried areas whereby social science must respond to a challenging present. Sociotechnics and sociological practice can produce credible answers to emergent problems of sustainability. The current development dynamics ought to be based upon inclusive policies and the social economy of the communities. Such issues as empowerment and citizenship participation will be presented and debated.

The agenda includes the following topics:

• The contemporary dynamics of social capital, the impact of globalization on local communities and common perceptions of world tendencies
• Social economy innovations and sustainable communities
• Inclusive recovery and local city employment governance
• Cellular Globalization in between Local and Global social dimensions
• Empowerment of citizens/workers/consumers/minorities/youth
• Innovative community social development and Education (NGOs, environment/culture/education)
• Social policies, entrepreneurship and social cohesion re-examined
• Organizational sustainability in times of crises, decline, turmoil and change