Congres European Society for Rural Sociology
‘Mobilities,vulnerabilities and sustainbilities – new questions and challenges for rural Europe’. That is the central theme of the XXIInd congress of the European Society for Rural Sociology (ESRS) taking place in Wageningen (Netherlands) from 20 to 24 August. About 350 social scientists from Europe and beyond are expected to participate in this congress. During the last decades the mobility of people, knowledge and capital within Europe has increased considerably. More mobility makes the countryside more vulnerable but might also offer new opportunities for sustainable development.
The congress will study how mobility, vulnerability and sustainability interrelate and influence the spatial patterns and chances for development in rural Europe. A scientific debate about rural development is timely with regard to changes in EU and global policy frameworks, with the revision of the CAP and WTO negotiations.
The congress includes plenary presentations about the production of bio fuel as one of the most important controversies in the future debate about agriculture and environment, the vulnerability of the rural environment and the role of the EU in Central and Eastern Europe, and the social risks of climate change.
Organisation
The congress is organised by the Rural Sociology Chairgroup of Wageningen University in cooperation with an international scientific committee, chaired by Professor Terry Marsden from Cardiff University (UK). Besides 300 presentations in 23 working groups several plenary debates will take place with contributions of leading scientists among which Prof. John Urry from Lancaster University, Prof. Philip McMichael from Cornell University, Prof. Alessandro Bonanno from Sam Houston University, Prof. Suzan Baker and Prof. Terry Marsden from Cardiff University and Prof. Arthur Mol and Prof. Jan Douwe van der Ploeg from Wageningen University. In addition a policy panel will be organised in which Secretary-General André van der Zande of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food, participants from international NGO’s and representatives from Brussels will discuss rural development policy.