The economic, social and political issues related to population ageing
Conference organised by the CLERSE (Lille Centre for Studies and Research in Sociology and Economics) from 22nd to 24th November 2012
Lille, France
In France and Europe, population ageing is a demographic and social reality. The low birth rate, combined with a sharp decline in immigration and an increase in life expectancy all contribute to significant population ageing. According to population projections, in 2050 one in three people will be aged over 60. It is reasonable to assume that this configuration of generations will lead to the establishment of a new social pact. The social, economic and political transformations resulting from population ageing require extensive research. Dependence and vulnerability, the consumption of care and services, an ageing workforce, urban planning, and the citizenship of the elderly are all current social and political issues, but they are still the subject of few research projects.
This conference is aimed at academics, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students, but also at professionals working in the sector. It should be an opportunity for deliberation involving various disciplines including, but not limited to, sociology, economics, and political science. The goal is also to examine the issue of ageing in relation to other social phenomena such as those associated with the widening of social inequalities in a number of Western countries. Indeed, far from being neutral, ageing can have very different consequences depending on the economic, social, and cultural capital of those involved. Lastly, this conference aims to establish a comparative international perspective by taking into account the varied contexts and the different social policies being applied within Western countries, particularly as part of the transformation of welfare states.
This set of issues can be broken down into five main topics.
1. Ageing in the EU
Population ageing is a reality that affects all European countries, but the consequences of the phenomenon vary greatly from one national context to the next. The demographic and migratory issues overlap one another and have rather diverse consequences. This first topic could be an opportunity to clarify these issues further and, above all, look at them in relation to the public policies in application in various Western countries. Similarly, the role of the European Union could be examined in more precise detail, particularly as part of the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations.
2. Health and ageing
Health policies are seeking to address the new health challenges that result from population ageing and anticipate the risks by proposing preventive action plans. A comprehensive approach to these new challenges can be found by looking at these issues from the combined perspectives of economics, sociology, and political science. This would involve firstly taking into account the highly controversial issues relating to the rise in health spending, but also examining prevention policies, particularly in terms of their impact on social inequalities. Similarly, what organisational and financial systems (taxation, developing insurance coverage, creation of the French “fifth risk”
plan, etc.) can be implemented to manage dependence? Coordination between the various care options (nursing homes, in-home care, mixed care facilities, etc.) and the structuring of each of them are options that could be examined.
3. Ageing and the workplace
Ageing also directly affects employment and sometimes changes the way work is organised. What are the consequences in terms of working conditions and the management of strenuous work? How do we deal with the challenges of lifelong training, knowledge transfer, occupational mobility and retraining? This topic could open the way to discussing the issue of active ageing in a French social
context where people leave the workforce early. Can we also assess the various measures taken in Europe over the last decade to encourage people to work longer (retraining, switching to part-time employment, combining active employment with drawing a pension) when unemployment remains high all over Europe?
4. Solidarity between generations
Population ageing also changes the balance between generations, both on a collective and a family level. The issue of monetary and non-monetary transfers is therefore undergoing many changes.
Pension funding is probably the most prominent aspect and has been studied, but other aspects of the exchanges between generations must be analysed further, particularly within the family unit or specific geographical areas (neighbourhoods, living environments or local communities).
5. Social and political transformations
Lastly, on a broader level, population ageing is transforming the way European and North American societies operate politically and socially. There are many consequences, whether electoral or relating to modes of engagement (associations in particular) and consumption patterns – both individual (emergence of new markets?) and collective (new services, new types of urban development projects). The social status of elderly people who are not in active employment could also be examined as part of this context.
Instructions for responding to the Call for Papers
Proposals, in English or French, must be limited to one page only and include the following elements:
The author’s identity, contact details, discipline, and institution.
An overview of the issue.
The methodological approach, sources and materials used.
The main results expected.
Proposals must be submitted, by electronic way only, by 15th April 2012: To make a proposal Schedule
Submission of proposals 15th May 2012 Answer from scientific committee 1st June 2012 Submission of final papers 15th November 2012
Conference 22nd -24th November 2012
Scientific committee
Carole Bonnet (Ined), Vincent Caradec (Lille 3), Pierre Concialdi (Ires), Jean-Hugues Déchaux (Lyon 2), Jean-Claude Henrard (Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines), Geneviève Imbert (Fng), François Jeger (Cnav), Marie-Eve Joël (Paris-Dauphine), Jim Ogg (Young Foundation, Keele), Dominique Redor (Paris Est-Marne La Vallée), Nicolas Sirven (Irdes)
Steering committee
Abdelhafid Hammouche (Director of Clersé), Catherine Déchamp-Le Roux, François-Xavier Devetter, Florence Jany-Catrice, Olivier Mazade, Kristoff Talin, Nicolas Vaneecloo
