International Conference on Poverty, Social Exclusion and Development
Background
Poverty is a complex concept. Generally, however, poverty relates to people with low income who lack the basic necessities of life such as education, shelter, food security, safe water, and good sanitation.
The term social exclusion is most frequently used in describing the position of certain vulnerable social groups such as women, the unemployed, young people etc. Social exclusion is linked to the concepts of poverty, unemployment, inequality and discrimination. Social exclusion can also be seen as a relatively permanent, multiple condition and multi-dimensional state of deprivation of an individual. It is important to note that poverty and social exclusion are interlinked. Globally, issues relating to poverty and exclusion are considered very important as they are underscored by seven of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
In the contemporary world, issues that border on poverty and exclusion are of immense priority in the social sciences. In Ghana, most of the researches that have been conducted focused on poverty derived from the GLSS 1-5 reports. However, the issues that link poverty to exclusion have not been extensively explored. It is, therefore, important to plug this gap in knowledge by delving seriously into the issues of poverty and exclusion in Ghana with the view to exploring the policy implications for national development.
The Faculty of Social Sciences adopted the research theme “poverty and social exclusion” in 2006 to focus research effort and teaching towards generating knowledge and building capacity for policy formulation on the issues. Five years of effort have resulted in several publications including technical reports and academic staff have participated in local and international fora to provide input in policy planning.
In 2012, UCC will be 50 years old. As part of the activities in commemoration of this event the Faculty of Social Sciences will organize an International conference on poverty and social exclusion in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the University and to conclude this research theme.
General Objective
The general objective of the conference is to bring together researchers, development practitioners and policy makers to exchange ideas and share knowledge towards policy formulation on poverty and social exclusion.
Specific Objectives
The specific objectives are to:
- Explore the various dimensions of poverty and exclusion.
- Discuss the linkages between poverty and social exclusion, and
- Examine current public policy for addressing poverty and reducing social exclusion and marginalisation in relation to the MDG targets.
Sub-Themes
The following sub thematic areas will be considered.
- Education, poverty and social exclusion
- Unemployment, poverty and marginalization
- Poverty, disability and vulnerability
- Poverty, gender and spatial inequalities
- Poverty, social exclusion and migration
- Poverty and health
- Environmental issues in poverty and social exclusion
- Public policies in poverty reduction and social inclusion
- Social protection under neo-liberalisam
Conference Days and Activities
Date Activities
Monday 8th October 2012 Faculty Open Day and Exhibition/Employment Fair
Tuesday 9th October 2012 Students’ Interdepartmental Debate on ‘’Poverty and Social Exclusion’’
Wednesday 10th October 2012 Opening of Faculty Conference on ‘’Poverty and Social Exclusion’’
Thursday 11th October 2012 Conference continues
Friday 12th October 2012 Conference ends and Communiqué on Conference Theme
Expected Output
Papers that will be presented during the conference will be compiled and made available to participants, the main library as well as the departmental libraries of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Selected papers will be peer reviewed and published in the form of a book titled ‘’Poverty and Exclusion in Ghana’’. The book will also be sold to all and sundry who are interested in issues related to poverty and exclusion in Ghana. A conference report will be prepared and declarations made during the conference will be compiled and distributed to all stakeholders.
Timelines
Abstracts should be submitted to the conference planning committee, specifically the under listed by end of February 2012. Authors of acceptable abstracts will be informed by end of March 2012. Completed papers should reach the same by August 15th, 2012.
Prof. I K Acheampong (Chairman of conference committee)
Tel: 0246017306
E-mail: ikacheampong@yahoo.co.uk
Dr. F. Enu Kwesi
Tel: 020821009
E-mail: enukwesi@yahoo.com
Prof S B Kendie (Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences)
