A common trend in the welfare policies of many European countries is the increase in measures targeted at ‘high risk’ groups, such as the long-term unemployed. These policies can be seen as a reaction to problems related to an increasing differentiation in the labour market, problems related to long-term unemployment and to the growth of immigrant groups.

This conference puts focus on those types of policy measure that can be summarized under the term of ‘workfare’. This literally means ‘work-for-your-welfare’, but should here include all kind of policies that involve certain participation requirements of the welfare recipients.

The aim of conference is to approach the question of the effects of workfare policies on welfare state legitimacy from various perspectives and regarding different policy levels.

Key-note speakers: Professor Bob Jessop (Lancaster University, UK), Professor Ivar Lødemel (Oslo University College), Senior Researcher Nanna Kildal (Stein Rokkan Centre for Social Studies, Bergen)and Professor Pauli Kettunen (University of Helsinki).

Dead-line for abstract submission is 7 May 2008. An abstract must include: ½ page and full contact details of author. The abstract should be sent to the following e-mail address: Helena.Blomberg@helsinki.fi

For more information see Call for Papers at
http://blogs.helsinki.fi/nord-wel/events/workfare-welfare/