AAG 2012, New York February 24 to 28
Social Cohesion and Sustainable Development: Finding Missing Links through Comparative Analysis?
Harlan Koff, University of Luxembourg
Carmen Maganda, University of Luxembourg
Robert Krueger, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
With sponsorship from the journals Regions & Cohesion and Local Environment
Social Cohesion and Sustainable Development are two of the most important themes in
contemporary global affairs. Moreover the two paradigms are intrinsically linked through separate
but related commitments to the notion of equity. Sustainable development is defined through
economic viability, environmental protection and social equity. Social cohesion policies generally
include anti?poverty measures, human rights and equitable resource management. Both concepts
include inherent references to social justice. The relationship between these paradigms is important
because cohesion is an important tool for the construction of sustainability and sustainable
development is an important tenant of long?term cohesion.
The relationship between these two paradigms has rarely been highlighted in the academic literature
and political arenas. Even though social equity is a central tenant for sustainable development, it has
often been overshadowed by considerations focusing more on economic forces and environmental
concerns. Similarly, social cohesion debates have addressed the adverse effects of economic
globalization and the increasing complexity of plural societies while overlooking critical ecological
concerns.
For these reasons, the conveners invite papers that examine links between social cohesion and
sustainable development. Theoretical and empirical contributions are welcome as are papers that
focus on cases in different world regions. Cross?regional comparative perspectives will frame these
proposed sessions.
Possible themes include: the role of cohesion in sustainable development strategies; the role of
environmental considerations in social cohesion strategies; anti?poverty measures and sustainability,
social pluralism and sustainability; public participation in relevant policy?making processes, multilevel
governance; leadership; the roles of territories, markets and governance in social cohesion and
sustainability debates, Human rights concerns on sustainable development measures etc.
Abstracts of no more than 250 words should be submitted by September 25th, 2011 to Harlan Koff,
University of Luxembourg, [log in to unmask] and Robert Krueger, Worcester Polytechnic Institute,
USA, [log in to unmask] . If you have any questions please contact either.
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