Social Cohesion in times of recession

CONFERENCE DOCUMENTATION

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• Study - Social cohesion at a time of crisis (in French)
  
• Summary - Social cohesion at a time of crisis (in French)

The 2008 global economic and social crisis continues to be debated, reinterpreted and explained. For some, it can be seen as cyclical, structural or civilizational. For others, the disastrous effects of this global crisis are still amplified and not a single analyst seems to be able to propose solutions. The most vulnerable populations are at the frontline of this global crisis. The crisis exacerbates social tensions and inequality between richest and poorest rises and as the middle class becomes more precarious. How far will this go?

This conference will go back on mutations incurred by social ties and explore the creative potential, in social and environmental terms, the situation is creating. Spain and Greece, so far the countries most hit by the recession, are laboratories in this regard.

In other words: what can social cohesion become in times of prolonged recession? How are we to respond to deteriorated social ties? What forms of violence can it cause? Conversely, what types of resistance and creativity can it create? Finally, what are the social and political reactions and perceptions at work in the face of increasing recessions and even the emergence of a widespread depression?

Interpretation: EN, FR, DE, EL, ES

Welcome

• Yves Cochet, Greens/EFA MEP
• Nikos Chrysogelos, Greens/EFA MEP
  
  

15h-16h 

Presentation of the report "Social cohesion in times of crisis"

• Alice Canabate, PHD in political sociology and author of the report

Respondent: Paul Jorion, anthropologist, sociologist and professor at the universities of Brussels, Cambridge, Paris VIII and University of California (tbc)

16h-17h15

Ecological Economics: a new scheme to respond the social crisis

• Joan Martinez Alier, Catalan economist, Professor of Economics and Economics History and researcher at ICTA at the Autonomous University of Barcelona
• Panagiotis Petrakis, Economy Professor University of Athens

17h15-18h30

Social Resistance to the crisis: the practical solutions

• Yannick Vanderborght, Professor of Political Sciences at the St Louis Universté
• Barbara Helfferich, Director of the European Anti-poverty network (EAPN)
• Theodota Nantsou, Political Director WWF Hellas

Conclusion

Philippe Lamberts, Greens/EFA MEP