The University Network of the European Capitals of Culture (UNeECC) and the Compostela Group of Universities will hold their annual conferences together in Pécs, Hungary, European Capital of Culture 2010. The joint conference will be hosted by the University of Pécs.

We are inviting papers and presentations from universities and other institutions of higher education that are a member of the University Network of the European Capitals of Culture and Compostela Group of Universities and/or are located in cities which are, have been, or will be designated European Capitals of Culture.

The conference will focuses on two major themes that are of interest to both networks and we welcome a variety of scholarly papers that address either one or both of these themes.

1. Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
Combating poverty and social exclusion are key notions in both the Lisbon Strategy and its successor ‘Europe 2020’. Given the important role assigned to higher education in both strategies, universities should ask themselves whether and if so, to what extend they contribute to this objective, especially in this European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Do they recognise the right of people in poverty and social exclusion to live in dignity and to play a full part in society?  Do they acknowledge public ownership of social inclusion policies, emphasising everyone's responsibility in tackling poverty and marginalisation? Do they contribute to a more cohesive society which recognises that society as a whole benefits from the eradication of poverty? And are they convinced that this combat requires the commitment of all actors, because real progress requires a long-term effort that involves all levels of governance?

2. The Assessment of the European Capitals of Culture Programme
As the European Capiltals of Culture programme celebrates it 25th anniversary in 2010 an overall assessment of the programme is due. The University Network of European Capitals of Culture has the unique capacity to do precisely that: assess the impact of the ECoC programme in all its aspects, both on a local and a European level. On top of evaluating specific ECoCs or particular aspects (cultural, economic, social, political impacts) time has come to reflect on the assessment of ECoCs itself.

3. ECoC Programme and the Combat against Poverty and Social Exclusion
Can the ECoC Programme contribute to this combat and in what way? What role can universities play in it? How can we evaluate the achievements of ECoC programs in this field?

The themes can be interpreted in a broad sense, but given the academic objectives of the conference, papers must yield new insights and focus on the effects of these processes on universities, European Capitals of Culture and their stakeholders, i.e. on academics, students, university administrators, regional and local authorities, creative industries, innovative entrepreneurship in the cultural sector, cultural policy makers, and the civil society. Accepted papers will be published in the conference proceedings.

For further information, write to:

Participants may submit one or more presentation proposals electronically or by post to:

Mrs Gyöngyi Pozsgai
Secretary General of UNeECC
University of Pécs
Szántó K.J. utca 1/B
H-7633 Pécs
Hungary
Tel +36 72 501 500/2418
Fax +36 72 501 508
e-mail: pozsgai.gyongyi@pte.hu