Abbònati

December 2013

A Vita Europe selection of civil society events around Europe

di Cristina Barbetta

Listed events (for further descriptions of events and links scroll down):
 
3 December 2013, Brussels, Belgium, Hearing on the Future of Migration and Asylum in Europe 
3 December 2013, London, UK, Understanding the health & care landscape for offenders & their families 
3 December 2013, Brussels, Belgium, Prize Competition for European Capital of Innovation 
4 December 2013, Rome, Italy, Italy Youth to Business Forum 
4-6 December 2013, Vilnuis, Lithuania, Vilnius Innovation Forum 2013
5 December 2013, Brussels, Belgium, Go Green, Be Social
 5 December 2013, Brussels, Belgium, iMinds The Conference 
 5 December 2013, London, UK, Strategy Fundamentals for Tech Startups 
5-6 December 2013, Paris, France, Green Growth and Sustainable Development Forum: How to unlock investment in support of green growth?
7 December 2013, London, UK, TATA Social Enterprise Conference 2013 
9 December 2013, Brussels, Belgium, Cooperation between parents and schools : preventing early school leaving
10 December 2013, worldwide, Human Rights Day
10 December 2013, Brussels, Belgium, Improving quality and safety of healthcare
10 December 2013,  Brussels, Belgium, From Cities to Europe: A European Debate
 10 December 2013, London, UK, SROI Practitioner Training – 2 Day Course
11-13 December 2013, Barcelona, Spain, Intrapreneurship Conference
18 December 2013, worldwide, International Migrants Day
 
 
3 December 2013, Brussels, Belgium
Hearing on the Future of Migration and Asylum in Europe 
Xenophobia and racism are increasing in Europe. Anti-immigration and hate discourses have become normalized in the EU political mainstream and migrants are facing a strongly negative climate. Proposals to restrict immigration flows have been supported in several EU countries.
The economic crisis has further contributed to hostility towards third country nationals, regardless of their legal or illegal status. Shrinking economic opportunities and high unemployment have increased the risk of migrants ending up in poverty. There is an amplified the need to combat and prevent discrimination, racism, administrative barriers and social exclusion – which hinder migrants from accessing the labour market and essential goods and social services.
‘A Europe that Protects’ often refers to external threats such as terrorism. Far more rarely do decision-makers refer to the need for a Europe that protects its founding values of human dignity, respect for human rights, pluralism, non-discrimination, solidarity and equality.
The European Commission and Social Platform will bring together relevant stakeholders for a consultation on the challenges and opportunities for migration and asylum in Europe. The conclusions of the hearing will feed into the European Commission’s reflection on a new agenda for Home Affairs to be presented in March 2014.
 
3 December 2013, London, UK 
Understanding the health & care landscape for offenders & their families
Offenders are one of the least healthy and most socially excluded groups in society. Many will also have a range of multiple or complex needs.  However, addressing the health inequalities they face can have a significant impact on reducing both their re-offending and social exclusion. Offenders’ families also suffer from considerable disadvantage, social exclusion and health inequalities.
Changes in the NHS’s core structure – including health and care commissioning for offenders – have affected who makes decisions about NHS services, how these services are commissioned, and the way money is spent. This conference – targeted at VCS organisations working with offenders and their families; service users; family members – seeks to explain those changes.  
 
 
3 December 2013, Brussels, Belgium 
Prize Competition for European Capital of Innovation
The European Commission has today started the search for the first European Capital of Innovation, or iCapital. The prize will reward the city which is building the best “innovation ecosystem”, connecting citizens, public organizations, academia, and business. Given that 68% of the EU population now lives in urban areas, it is these areas that will contribute the most to making Europe more innovative. Cities foster innovation in their own provision of services, but the key is to create the right environment for others to innovate and to allow the public and private spheres to connect. An independent panel of experts will select the winner in spring 2014, with the city chosen receiving €500000 towards scaling up its efforts. The deadline for applications is 3 December 2013.
 
4 December 2013, Rome, Italy
Italy Youth to Business Forum 
The Youth to Business Forum, AIESEC’s international event aiming at fostering youth entrepreneurship, comes back to Italy for the third time. 
AIESEC Italia  is organizing the Italy Youth to Business Forum to make Italian talent emerge, and give young people the opportunity to fulfill their successful entrepreneurial ideas. 
The Forum will take place on the 4th of December at the LUISS University in Rome and will feature around 350 students from all over Italy. 
This year’s theme, which is  “Innovation gets Italy moving” (“Innovazione: l’italia che si muove”), will be explored from both the point of view of start-ups such as Talent Garden, Uniants, Green Geek School Education, KIWI and Free Futool and of big Italian and international companies, such as PwC, KPMG and  IE – Business School.
The theme of International mobility will be deepened by KAPLAN. 
The event will be structured in three different phases: Inspire, Engage and Act. At the beginning of the day, the students will be inspired by the example of young startuppers and entrepreneurs who “made it” .  Later roundtables and workshops will act as a bridge between companies and participants, in order to encourage a dynamic debate.  At the end of the event, networking spaces will stimulate participants to interact and to think about practical steps that can be taken to improve Italy. 
To read more:  http://aiesec.it/y2b/
 
 
 
4-6 December 2013, Vilnuis, Lithuania
Vilnius Innovation Forum 2013 
On December 4-6, 2013, the first Vilnius innovation forum 2013 “Innovation Drift” will take place in Lithuania. Vilnius Innovation Forum 2013 “Innovation Drift” is an international event designed to create a high-level discussion platform about innovation, best practices and impact for european economy growth and well-being including the situation in various countries and regions (foremost, the Baltic sea region).
The Forum will stimulate debates on important European issues such as economic growth and prosperity, innovation as the main driving force for solving the major European problems, increase jobs and ensure better society.
The Forum will attract well-known innovation leaders and experts, entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized enterprises, policy makers, researchers from the EU and abroad who will share their expertise and insights about the EU competitiveness, SME’s role creating innovative Europe and forthcoming EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020.
 
5 December 2013, Brussels, Belgium 
Go Green, Be Social
How can we tackle climate change greening our taxes while preserving social protection systems? In the frame of the Spring Alliance and with the support of the King Badouin Foundation, this event will look at how to shape an integrated approach to climate change and energy policies – combining social, environmental and economic aspects. 
 
5 December 2013, Brussels, Belgium
iMinds The Conference 
iMinds The Conference is an annual event by the independent Flemish research organization iMinds with the aim of finding ways to promote ICT innovation and connecting it with the society.
The simple question iMinds asks is why inventions do not always become innovations. The obvious answer is because most challenges cannot be solved by a single government, company or organization, therefore ways of promoting solutions to those challenges need a higher level collaboration.
Therefore, this year’s conference, which will take place on 5 December 2013 in Brussels, is dedicated to “digital innovation in Europe” and will include keynote speeches from thought leaders and breakout sessions on collaborative research and entrepreneurship. All this will contribute in the discussion to explore ways of that require more than the action of a single government, company or organization. Also, more than 40 digital research projects and start-up companies will also be showcased.
 
5 December 2013, London, UK
Strategy Fundamentals for Tech Startups 
Anyone can have a great business idea, but the most successful startups are those that know how to execute. A good strategy can help allocate limited resources to the best opportunities, mitigating market risk to increase companies’ chances of success. In this class, organized by General Assembly London, participants will  learn about startup strategy, including what it is, how to know if theirs  is good, and how to put it into action.
 
 
5-6 December 2013, Paris, France 
Green Growth and Sustainable Development Forum: How to unlock investment in support of green growth?
This year’s  Forum will discuss how governments can improve their investment policy framework to reduce the risk and attract long-term private finance in support of green growth. It will be held over two days, with three plenary sessions on Day 1 and three break-out session on Day 2.
 
7 December 2013, London, UK 
TATA Social Enterprise Conference 2013 
A one of its kind event in the UK, the Tata Social Enterprise Conference is a fantastic opportunity for students and graduates to immerse themselves in the world of ‘business not as usual’. Now in its third year (and 300 delegates later), over 200 delegates will visit City University in London to truly challenge and influence the future of social enterprise.
Through talks, panels and interactive workshops delegates will be taken on a journey to engage with innovative ideas, trends, and people within social enterprise – forward thinkers who are creating better solutions to the world’s most pressing social problems.
To read more: http://www.tatasec.org/
 
9 December 2013, Brussels, Belgium 
Cooperation between parents and schools : preventing early school leaving
School is the place where children socialize, learn, develop their competences and personalities and are therefore at the heart of parents’ concern. At the same time, parents do not always find it easy to interact, be represented or get involved in schools even thought an active cooperation between parents and schools is essential to tackling issues like early school leaving, absenteeism, orientation and so forth.
This conference will touch upon all these aspects, pointing out the benefits of cooperation between parents and schools, identifying the obstacles for a successful cooperation and presenting existing good practices.
 
10 December 2013, worldwide
Human Rights Day 
The UN General Assembly proclaimed 10 December as Human Rights Day in 1950, to bring to the attention ‘of the peoples of the world’ the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations. In 2013, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights marks20 years since its establishment.
The United Nations General Assembly created the mandate of High Commissioner for the promotion and protection of all human rights in December 1993. 
 
10 December 2013, Brussels, Belgium 
Improving quality and safety of healthcare
European standardization in the healthcare sector has traditionally been limited to medical devices and e-health applications. Nevertheless, in recent years there has been an increasing level of demand from stakeholders in relation to the standardization of healthcare services. Some of the factors driving standardization in this area are: the increase in patient mobility supported by the EU Directive on patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare (2011/24/EU); improving the quality healthcare services and patient safety; the need to improve the efficiency of healthcare systems, which are faced with ageing population and increasing needs.
The aim of this event  is to present the standardization work in relation to healthcare services and to have an exchange of views with stakeholders (patient representatives, European Commission, healthcare professionals, public authorities, etc.) on the role of standardization in this area.
 
10 December 2013,  Brussels, Belgium 
From Cities to Europe: A European Debate
European Forum for Urban Security (EFUS) organizes  a day of debate on urban security, focusing on crime prevention and citizen participation. Based on the work carried out throughout the year with civil society and local authorities as part of the "Sharing the Manifesto" initiative, local elected officials and representatives of European institutions will participate in round table discussions on the following topics:  What is the role of prevention in security policies? For a Europe of local and regional authorities: What does it mean to be part of Europe today? How are citizens actively involved in security debates and policies? What are the security policies for the next few years? What financial support is needed from Europe to meet local needs?
Speakers include Ramón Luis Valcarcel Siso, President of the Committee of the Regions; Guilherme Pinto, President of Efus; Jacques Salvator, Mayor of Aubervilliers; and the Mayors of the cities that have hosted a Manifesto Day.
 
10 December 2013, London, UK 
SROI Practitioner Training – 2 Day Course
The SROI Network training course has been accredited by the Institute of Leadership Management. It, like other courses that contribute to the accredited practitioner status, is delivered by accredited practitioners that are also experienced trainers. Training will be delivered by SROI Network accredited practitioners.
Day one is a practical, step-by-step introduction to the SROI process. It will begin with some theory but the process is best learnt by trying it, so candidates will learn how to develop an impact map – the heart of the SROI process – and explore appropriate real life examples.
Day two covers, in more depth, issues that practitioners will need to demonstrate an understanding of if they wish to become accredited . Although designed with the assurance process in mind, this course is suitable for anyone wanting more than just an introduction to SROI. Current issues will be discussed, best practice and techniques shared and lots of examples explored.
 
11-13 December 2013, Barcelona, Spain 
Intrapreneurship Conference
The Intrapreneurship Conference aims to provide participants with the tools they need to create efficient platforms supporting intrapreneurial initiatives. On top of inspiring keynote speakers,  most of the two day conference will be devoted to practical workshops delivered by a group of international Intrapreneurship experts.
Experts will focus on how to avoid the obstacles intrapreneurs face and how to deliver valuable results both for the company and for the intrapreneurs. Some of the practical issues that will be covered include: Assessing the corporate culture and your company readiness for Intrapreneurship; Helping intrapreneurs navigate through corporate politics and resolve potential office place challenges; Assembling a team of  mentors to support intrapreneurs; Organizing Bootcamps designed to generate intrapreneurial projects; Tutorials on establishing a corporate incubator; Which rewarding system to adopt and more.
 
 
18 December 2013, worldwide 
International Migrants Day
On 4 December 2000, the UN General Assembly, taking into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world,proclaimed 18 December as International Migrants Day. On 18 December 1990, the General Assembly had adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
UN Member States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations are invited to observe International Migrants Day through the dissemination of information on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants, and through the sharing of experiences and the design of actions to ensure their protection.
 

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