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Chaire Quetelet 2009
2009 Quetelet Seminar
18-20 november 2009 For several decades the majority of advanced countries have had to deal with vast socio-demographic changes, such as decreasing population, low fertility level, ageing population and immigration from less developed areas of the planet. Policies acting directly on these phenomena can encounter some feasibility problems. In fact, these policies are positioned between individual and public interests, and can be at odds with human rights or modern attitudes centred on individual freedom. However, their acceptability increases when population policies apply instruments from social and economic policies to indirectly influence causes of demographic phenomena or to influence their consequences. The 2009 Quetelet Seminar will be devoted to population policies, those already implemented or to be implemented, in industrialized countries, and more specifically in Europe (including Russia) and in North America. The conference will be structured as both a theoretical reflection on population policies – their aims, their fields of action – and as a presentation of case-studies. Empirical studies will mainly concern policies that support having children, policies for ageing and migration policies. We also encourage contributions in other fields of application of population policies. We will devote particular attention to four axes, defined below according to questions of particular importance to be addressed.
1. Definitions, evolution, evaluation and ethics of population policies Traditionally a population policy has the aim of influencing the size or the structure of a population. How can we define a population policy today? Is it a policy where demographers can contribute with their long term view of demographic processes and of their interrelations? Can a population policy typology be established (according to its implicit society project, levels of action, modes of intervention, whether it acts on the causes or on consequences of demographic processes)? Does a population policy differ from a population-related policy? How does Europe differ from North American countries in the implementation of a coherent system of population policies? Which sources of data are available for comparison of population policies in time and geographical location? In addition, how can we measure the efficacy of a population policy? How can quantitative and qualitative methods be employed in the evaluation process? How can we overcome the short-term cost-benefit evaluation of a population policy, in favour of a dynamic accounting that considers the policy consequences in the long term? Finally, can we rely on public opinion support for policies whose consequences only become evident in the long term? Which ethical issues are associated with a population policy?
2. Policies that support having children and family policies To cope with the low fertility observed in many countries – leading to a negative balance of population and to an ageing structure – some measures that support fertility have been implemented. Often they aim to help couples to achieve their fertility desires, by financial measures or by measures reconciling work and family roles. But, do explicit natalist policies still exist? What are the pillars of these policies? Are these polices different from family policies just because of their explicit aim to increase fertility? And what is the impact of these policies on fertility? In this respect, are some policies preferable to others? How does the impact of a same policy change according to the national context? How should we consider measures concerning housing, health, work, or education in the evaluation process of a system of family policies? What are the consequences of policies in terms of social equity? Finally, how can we bring about cultural changes encouraging a more egalitarian share of family roles? Should we better value family and parenthood?
3. Immigration and migrant integration policies In a context where international migration is debated, Europe has to become aware that it is now an immigration continent. Which actions have been raised in the field of political asylum, regularisation of illegal migrants, economic migrations, and family reunification? Are these measures always respectful of human rights? Could a European migration policy be considered? Could countries with a long history of migration, such as USA and Canada, be a useful reference for European countries? To which degree do migration policies counterbalance population ageing? How can migration policies be adapted to job market requirements? Are closed border measures effective? How can the success of an integration process be evaluated and which policies could be helpful? How can we reach a multicultural society of ‘reciprocal integration’ of natives and non-natives?
4. Policies related to population ageing
Confronted with the ageing of their populations, policies related to this phenomenon in Europe and North America are now focused on its consequences. Sectoral answers arise. As increasing life expectancy has an impact on the financing of retirement systems, what are the measures proposed or imposed by governments for ensuring this financing? What are the ethical issues involved in these measures? What is the evolution of employment policies concerning the ageing of the labour force and the management of career-end? In the field of health, what tools have been adopted or proposed for taking care of the dependent elderly? What measures concerning housing and services have been taken favouring home care of the elderly who whish to stay in their community? Which procedures have to be set up in order to evaluate these policies? Is the increasing interest for issue of intergenerational relationship supported by actual measures enabling the harmonious co-existence of generations to flourish? More generally, are policies geared to adapting Western societies to the unavoidable ageing of their populations? In other words, is there a true population policy taking into account the different dimensions of ageing?
Sending of the papers
Language
Best papers presented at the seminar will be selected to be published in the electronic journal
Deadlines
Inscription fees
To download the registration form, Click here. How go to Louvain-la-Neuve ? Click here.
Organizing committee
Scientific Committee
Contact
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17/11/2009
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