[Discussion] CONF./CFP- 5th Annual Aleksanteri Conference, Nov. 10-11, Helskinki

[gonul@pultar.org]

From: Maarit Heinonen <maarit.i.heinonen@helsinki.fi>

CONF./CFP- 5th Annual Aleksanteri Conference, Nov. 10-11, Helskinki

5th Annual Aleksanteri Conference

Reflecting Transformation in Post-socialist Rural Areas

10-11 November, 2005
University of Helsinki, Finland

Call for Papers

The conference addresses a wide array of questions related to the transformation
of agriculture and rural areas in post-socialist countries. Traditionally,
agriculture has provided the basis of income and employment for rural people,
but transition process has severely affected rural areas and their livelihood.
Many constraints, such as disintegrated rural services, selective out-migration,
poverty or unemployment among others, make the rural development more
challenging in post-socialist countries. Rural transformation and development
are creating a new social space with new rules, actors and institutions.
Therefore the main question of the conference is, how the past structures and
present transition create a new starting point for rurality?

The conference concentrates on the post-socialist countries in Europe and the
former Soviet Union, but contributions from Asian countries are also welcomed.

All those interested in analyzing various aspects of transformation of rurality
in post-socialist countries are invited to take part in the conference by
presenting their papers in the working groups. We invite contributions from a
wide disciplinary background, for example, from sociology, geography,
anthropology, political sciences, economics and cultural studies. The invitation
is not limited to academics; we invite also professionals with sound academic
backgrounds and academic interests.

This is the fifth in a series of annual multidisciplinary, international
Aleksanteri conferences organized by the Aleksanteri Institute. The Aleksanteri
Institute (Finnish Center for Russian and East European Studies) is affiliated
with the University of Helsinki and operates as a national center of research,
study and expertise pertaining to Russia, the countries of the former Soviet
Union and post-socialist countries in Europe particularly in the social sciences
and humanities. The conference has had broad interest among scientist from
various disciplinary both from abroad and Finland, and among decision makers and
other actors concerning post socialist countries. During the recent years,
around 100 experts have yearly participated in the conference.

Please, send by 15 September 2005, your abstract for a paper in English (not
longer than 300 words) to the working group convenor.

Workgroup participants are asked to prepare short presentations, 15-20 minutes
in length. The working group convenor will give further information on practical
arrangements on preparing the paper. The ambition is to publish an edited volume
based on keynote presentations as well as selected papers of the working groups.

For further information, please contact the conference coordinator, Ms.  Maarit
Heinonen, Aleksanteri Institute, email: maarit.i.heinonen@helsinki.fi;
phone +358 9 191 28652; fax +358 9 191 28616

Additional and updated information will be found at the conference site
http://www.helsinki.fi/aleksanteri/english

Registration:

Please, register using the registration form available at the conference web
site http://www.helsinki.fi/aleksanteri/ and submit it on-line or print and send
by mail or fax. The mailing address is Aleksanteri Institute, P.O. Box 42,
FI-00014 University of Helsinki. The fax number is +358 9 191 28616. You are
also welcome to take part without presenting a paper. There is no conference
fee.

Deadline for registration is 17 October 2005.

Practical Information:

Participants are requested to make their own arrangements for travel and
accommodation and cover the costs related to participation. For Helsinki hotels
and tourism information, please see http://www.hel.fi/tourism/EN/ The site for
the conference is situated in Helsinki city center, street address Bulevardi 18.

You are warmly welcomed by the Conference Committee:
Prof. Leo Granberg (chair)
Dr. Jouko Nikula
Ms. Inna Kopoteva
Ms. Eeva Paakkonen
Ms. Maarit Heinonen

List of Working Groups:

1) Networks and communities
   Convenor: Leo Granberg (leo.granberg@helsinki.fi; Ruralia-Institute,
   University of Helsinki)

2) Farming and social structures in rural Russia and CEECs
   Convenor: Ilkka Alanen (ialanen@cc.jyu.fi; University of Jyvaskyla)

3) Institutional transformation and changes in Russian agrarian sector
   Convenor: Inna Kopoteva (inna.kopoteva@helsinki.fi; Aleksanteri Institute,
   University of Helsinki) Bilingual workgroup: the primary language is
   English, presentations and papers in Russia also possible. Abstracts should
   be in English also in the latter case.

4) Multifunctionality in agriculture and rural areas
   Convenor: Maarit Heinonen (maarit.i.heinonen@helsinki.fi; Aleksanteri
   Institute, University of Helsinki)

5) Human-nature relationship in the post-socialist rural communities
   Convenor: Katriina Soini (katriina.soini@mtt.fi; Agrifood Research Centre)

6) Socio-cultural opportunities in post-socialist rural localities
   Convenor: Eeva Paakkonen (eeva.paakkonen@helsinki.fi; Aleksanteri
Institute,
   University of Helsinki)

7) Development and conflicts in Russian forest peripheries
   Convenor: Jarmo Kortelainen (jarmo.kortelainen@joensuu.fi; University of
   Joensuu)

8) Newcomers, refugees and restructures in rural area of Russia and
   post-communist countries ­ the problems of the empty land and new home
   country in peripheral areas
   Convenor: Kalle Michelsen (kalle.michelsen@lut.fi; Lappeenranta University
   of Technology, South Karelian Institute)




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