January 2012

Listed events (for further descriptions of events and links scroll down): 

10 January 2012, Brussels, Belgium, The Future of Europe: Towards a Two-Speed EU?

13 January 2012, Maribor, Slovenia, Launch of Maribor as European capital of culture 2012 

16 January 2012,Brussels, Belgium, Living well with dementia

18 January 2012, Birmingham, Starting a Social Enterprise

18-19 January 2012, Copenhagen, Denmark, European Year 2012 Opening Conference: “Stay active – what does it take?”

19 January 2012, Brussels, Belgium, Social attitudes toward fostering entrepreneurship and innovation demand

19-20 January 2012, Copenhagen, Denmark, The future of eco-innovation

20 January 2012, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, UK,Survive & Prosper

20 January 2012, Manchester, UK, Acevo & VSNW  Youth Unemployment Roundtable – North West

21 January 2012, Guimarães, Portugal, Launch of Guimarães as European capital of culture 2012

25 January 2012, London, UK, How to Master Social Media

25 January 2012, London, UK, Google Interactivism: Young Peoples’ Hack Weekend

25 January 2012, London, UK, Acevo AGM  & Parliamentary Reception

26 January 2012, Helsinki, Finland, Gender Perspective in the Evaluation of the European Social Fund

26 January 2012, Brussels, Belgium, Warming Up for the Citizens’ Initiative

30 January 2012, Brussels, Belgium, EU Accession to the European Convention on Human Rights

31 January 2012, Brussels, Belgium, Lessons learned from Copenhagen, Cancún and Durban

 

 

10 January 2012, Brussels, Belgium

The Future of Europe: Towards a Two-Speed EU?

The European Union is in crisis. Public unease with the project, Euro problems and dysfunctional institutions give rise to the real danger that the European Union will become increasing irrelevant just as its member states face more and more challenges of a globalised world. I his book “The Future of Europe: Towards a Two-Speed EU?” , Jean-Claude Piris, a leading figure in the conception and drafting of the EU’s legal structures, tackles the issues head on with a sense of urgency and with candour. The book works through the options available in light of the economic and political climate, assessing their effectiveness.

To read more: http://www.euclidnetwork.eu/

 

13 January 2012, Maribor, Slovenia

Launch of Maribor as European capital of culture 2012

Guimarães (Portugal) and Maribor (Slovenia) take over the title of European capitals of culture 2012 on 1 January. Both cities have a busy calendar of events planned for the year, with the aim of showcasing themselves to the world and building a lasting legacy for their citizens. The official programme of events begins on 13 January in Maribor and 21 January in Guimarães.

The official launch of Maribor 2012 will take place over the weekend of 13-15 January, with music, theatre and dance performances. Numerous and varied cultural events, combining traditional and innovative approaches, from carnival to contemporary dance, are planned throughout the year. Young audiences will be a particular focus of the events.

To read more: http://www.maribor2012.info/en/

 

16 January 2012, Brussels, Belgium

Living well with dementia

This European award event is to encourage the integration of people with Alzheimer’s and their family in the community. This initiative aims to improve public perception of Alzheimer’s disease and encourage solidarity at local level and contribute to improving the quality of life for people with the disease and those close to them. 
The event is organised to reward the best local initiatives that promote social inclusion.

To read more: http://ec.europa.eu/social/

 

18 January 2012, Birmingham, UK

Starting a Social Enterprise

By starting your own social enterprise you can be your own boss, address a need in your community, gain skills and experience and address a social concern. This workshop will give you an introduction on where to begin, how to do it, and what to do next.

To read more: http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/

 

18-19 January 2012, Copenhagen, Denmark

European Year 2012 Opening Conference: “Stay active – what does it take?”

The main theme is innovation and how innovation can bring new solutions to the pending challenges of an ageing society in Europe within the fields of employment, social affairs and health.

To read more: http://ec.europa.eu/social/

 

19 January 2012, Brussels, Belgium

Social attitudes toward fostering entrepreneurship and innovation demand

This workshop, organized by a consortium led by WIFO in partnership with the European Commission,  will explore study outcomes regarding changing trends in social attitudes to innovation and their influence on entrepreneurship and demand for innovative goods and services. These attitudes – and their economic effects – are possibly the most difficult aspects of innovation to measure. The lack of adequate data hinders understanding and consequently the development of innovation policies to promote entrepreneurship and demand for innovative products. The report will identify indicators for entrepreneurship and demand, will explore the effect of both on innovation outcomes, will recommend relevant policies to improve entrepreneurship and demand, and will construct a questionnaire for obtaining better data on these two aspects of innovation.

To read more: http://www.europe-innova.eu/

 

19-20 January 2012, Copenhagen, Denmark

 The future of eco-innovation:The Role of Business Models in Green Transformation

This workshop aims to showcase good practices of radical and systemic eco-innovations and enhance understanding of the role that new business models can play, and will also draw lessons for industry and policy makers to accelerate the deployment and diffusion of promising environmental technologies and solutions. The workshop will also serve to establish a network of experts and innovators and identify potential future work for the OECD and the EU.

To read more: http://www.socialinnovationeurope.eu/

 

20 January 2012, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, UK

Survive & Prosper

This free event will provide an overview of advice and assistance available to organizations in the Third Sector – from the smallest community groups and charities, through to larger voluntary organizations and social enterprises – to help them survive and prosper in the new environment. A series of short presentations will tackle preparing for contracting, charging for services and the lessons to be learnt from successful organizations. There will also be advice on accessing finance, new grant sources and evaluating the social return on investment. The emphasis will be on practical advice and real life case studies, aiming to share good practice.

To read more: http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/

 

20 January 2012, Manchester, UK

Acevo & VSNW  Youth Unemployment Roundtable – North West

Youth unemployment is at its highest recorded level, and is a particular problem in communities in the North West. ACEVO’s commission on youth unemployment, chaired by David Miliband MP, is preparing a report on the issues for publication in early 2012. This roundtable will be an opportunity to feed your views into the commission’s work and to network and discuss the issues with other leaders from across the region, culminating in a joint statement of ‘key messages’ for the Commission and other stakeholders.

To read more: http://www.acevo.org.uk/

 

21 January 2012, Guimarães, Portugal

Launch of Guimarães as European capital of culture 2012

Guimarães (Portugal) and Maribor (Slovenia) take over the title of European capitals of culture 2012 on 1 January. Both cities have a busy calendar of events planned for the year, with the aim of showcasing themselves to the world and building a lasting legacy for their citizens. The official programme of events begins on 13 January in Maribor and 21 January in Guimarães.

Guimarães will open its festivities on Saturday 21 January with a theatre and multimedia open-air show. Its programme for the year focuses on four themes: city, community, thought and arts.

To read more: http://www.guimaraes2012.pt/

 

25 January 2012, London, UK

How to Master Social Media

The workshop will aim to show you how to: – connect with people and maintain relationships with your audience – promote your organization on social media networks – produce your own digital content – earn revenue from your digital content – provide an in-depth guide to Twitter.

To read more: http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/

 

25 January 2012, London, UK

Google Interactivism: Young Peoples’ Hack Weekend

SIMPL Ideas Marketplace has launched round two of Google’s Interactivism series, this time called “Interactivism: Young People’s Hack Weekend” looking for ideas that harness the web and digital technology to help young people get into the employment, education and training that is right for them. The call for ideas is open until 25 January, and the challenge will culminate in a 2-day hackaton to turn some of the best ideas into working prototypes.

To read more: http://socialinnovationeurope.eu/

 

25 January 2012, London, UK

Acevo AGM  & Parliamentary Reception

Only Full Members of ACEVO can attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM). As a Full Member, this is your opportunity to hear about your association’s work over the last year and have your say about ACEVO’s future direction. The AGM will be followed by a Parliamentary Reception.

To read more: http://www.acevo.org.uk/

 

26 January  2012, Helsinki, Finland

Gender Perspective in the Evaluation of the European Social Fund

The purpose of the seminar is to discuss the integration of gender in the evaluation of Structural Funds and to exchange good practices in Member States. The purpose is also to support the development of gender sensitive models and strategies in evaluation.

The seminar is targeted to people who supply or conduct  evaluations in the area of Structural Funds, especially European Social Fund, the Managing Authorities and Intermediate Bodies in the EU Member States.

Also people who are interested in gender mainstreaming and ESF are welcome.

To read more: http://www.tem.fi/

 

26 January 2012, Brussels, Belgium

Warming Up for the Citizens’ Initiative

The conference will present the different aspects of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI). The ECI will allow 1 million citizens from at least one quarter of the EU Member States to invite the European Commission to bring forward proposals for legal acts in areas where the Commission has the power to do so. The organisers of a citizens’ initiative, a citizens’ committee composed of at least 7 EU citizens who are resident in at least 7 different Member States, will have 1 year to collect the necessary statements of support. The number of statements of support has to be certified by the competent authorities in the Member States. The Commission will then have 3 months to examine the initiative and decide how to act on it. The first European Citizens’ Initiatives will be launched from 1 April 2012.

To read more: http://ec.europa.eu/

 

30 January 2012, Brussels, Belgium

EU Accession to the European Convention on Human Rights

This conference will examine the current state of accession of the European Union to the European Convention on Human Rights. It will also discuss the legal implications of the accession for the protection of the fundamental rights of EU citizens. The relationship between both legal orders and the European Courts in Luxembourg and Strasbourg will also be discussed.

To read more: https://www.era.int/

 

31 January 2012, Brussels, Belgium

Lessons learned from Copenhagen, Cancún and Durban

Taking stock ahead of the Rio climate summit

In the aftermath of Copenhagen, Cancún and Durban and in the run-up to the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung will organize a conference on the results and lessons learned of the three conferences on international climate change.

To read more: http://www.kas.de/bruessel/

 

31 January 2012,Brussels, Belgium

Gender inequalities and occupational diseases

The European Trade Union Institute (ETUI)  and the Belgian Council for Equal Opportunities between Men and Women are staging a study day to look at gender inequalities and occupational diseases. In most countries, the bulk of the health impacts among female workers continue to be ignored by the systems for reporting, recognition and compensation in respect of occupational diseases. These act as filters of various kinds (conceptual, institutional, legislative, social and cultural) which draw a cloak of invisibility over work-related impacts on women’s health, in particular cancers and mental health issues. Such effects are even reduced when the female workers are on insecure contracts or are migrants. During this study day, speakers from Quebec, Finland, France and Belgium will be focusing on analysing how these inequalities in treatment between men and women actually operate, and how it is possible to rebuild the career path and get recognition for an occupational disease.

To read more: http://www.etui.org/