Apologies for cross-posting.

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Dear Colleague,

After starting in September last year with ESPAnet, the Network for European
Social Policy Analysis, we are happy to send you its first newsletter and to
inform you about its activities.

There is large enthusiasm for the network and there has been some hard
working.

If you feel that ESPAnet offers an interesting programme for 2003 and the
years to come, please let others know. Note that ESPAnet membership is open
to all interested in it, it is free and it can be obtained through the
website.

WEBSITE
A website has been made and is now in full operation. Please take a look at:
http://www.uvt.nl/espanet
Here you will find details about all activities mentioned below, as well as
about ESPAnet's objectives and organizational setup.

ANNUAL CONFERENCES
Annual conferences are set and scheduled for:

2003 - 'Changing European Societies: The Role for Social Policy': November
13-15, SFI, Copenhagen, Denmark (contact Jon Kvist: [log in to unmask])
The call for papers for this conference will follow soon.

2004 - 'European Social Policy': September 9-12, Oxford University, UK
(contact Theresa Smith: [log in to unmask])

2005 - theme to be decided: Fribourg University, Switzerland (contact
Marc-Henry Soulet of Giuliano Bonoli: [log in to unmask])

YOUNG RESEARCHERS WORKSHOPS/SUMMERSCHOOLS
For 2003 a Young Researchers Workshop and a Summerschool are organized for
which still a few places for PhD-students are available.

May 16-17, 2003: 'Social Policy in a Changing Europe': Stirling University,
Scotland (contact Jochen Clasen: [log in to unmask])

July 21 - August 22, 2003: 'The Local Dimensions of Social Exclusion I
Europe': University of Urbino, Italy (contact Yuri Kazepov:
[log in to unmask])


THEMATIC SEMINARS
ESPAnet intends to organize thematic seminars for relatively small groups of
experts. A first one will take place in 2003 at Tilburg University. A few
places are still available for colleagues who would want to participate.

March 26-27, 2003: 'Welfare and the Social Bond', Tilburg University, The
Netherlands (contact Wim van Oorschot: [log in to unmask])

A thematic seminar on 'Principle Shift in European Social Security' is in
preparation (contact: Jochen Clasen: [log in to unmask])

ESPAnet - JESP LINK
ESPAnet and the Journal of European Social Policy are discussing
establishing cooperative links given that both have overlapping interests in
servicing the European social policy community. We will keep you informed.

Minna van Gerven
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Secretariat of ESPAnet
- The Network for European Social Policy Analysis

E-mail: [log in to unmask]