Call for Papers:12th Annual Conference organised by Finland Futures Research Centre and Finland Futures Academy

Security in Futures-Security in Change
3-4 June 2010, Turku,FInland

This conference aims to look deeply into the inevitable changes of security issues. The traditional way we experience our existence in the world faces new challenges. The situation may feel obscure, fuzzy and even weird or frightening. Thus, it will increase and change the quality and quantity of security we demand from our communities. At the same time, awareness of the ways of interacting with the world is gradually slipping away from our own control. To decrease the feeling and, further on, the realization of insecurity, the foreseen changes and the states of the futures shall be brought closer to our everyday by introducing novel and innovative ideas of making the future more feasible. Novel thinking and solutions are required to fulfil the human need to feel secure and to build more reasonable security solutions for futures’ world.

The methods of futures studies include tools for describing possible, probable and desirable variations of the present and drafting possible images of the future. By looking at the variety of different possibilities, we can come closer to shaping the future – rather than predicting it. Futures studies offer valuable tools to understand and shape future security in our societies.

Contributions are solicited in (but not limited to) the following areas:

* theory of security analysis;
* military, political and economic security;
* social dimensions of security and peace;
* state, society and security;
* conflict analysis;
* energy and security;
* development and security;
* natural resources, environment and security;
* technology, crime, ICT and security;
* futures studies methods.

Conference Abstracts

Papers representing original and unpublished research results on the themes of the conference are solicited. Include up to 5 keywords from the theme list. The abstract shall not be longer than 300 words. Please submit your abstract via email: conference2010@tse.fi. The deadline for submitting abstracts is February 1, 2010.

Conference Full Papers

After your abstract has been accepted (information will be sent to you by March 1, 2010), please submit your full manuscript electronically (max. 15 1.5 spaced pages including figures, tables, and references typed in Times New Romans 12 p, in MS Word .doc or .rtf format) to the program co-chairs via email: conference2010@tse.fi. Deadline for submitting the full paper is May 1, 2010.

Consistent with standard practice, each submitted paper will receive blind reviews and will be published in the conference proceedings.

Language

The conference language for all papers and presentations is English.

See Call for papers in Pdf

Conference Website

Breakthru-Technologies Conference now open to virtual participants

Attend virtually at a reduced price!
Can’t be there in person?

For those of you who were interested in taking part in the Breakthru-Technologies Conference we have put together an exciting new option to participate as a Virtual Attendee.

By registering as a Virtual Attendee you may experience the conference live online from wherever you
need to be.

You will have the option to log in or out during the entire conference allowing for flexibility to your schedule.

Even more exciting – this option will allow you to engage with the presenters – as if you were here with us in Calgary. You will see what the in-person attendees see, and you will be able to ask questions just as they can.

The process is an easy two steps:

1. Register for virtual attendance by clicking https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/329358761

2. Pay online at http://breakthru-technologies.com/registration.htm Scroll down to the heading VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

The Virtual Attendee option is available at a reduced conference price of
US $200.00
Once we have confirmation of payment you will be emailed detailed instructions on how to participate in the live conference including a personal log in code. There will be a link to open the application which allows the webinar to run on your home computer or laptop (PC or Mac). You will get contact information and access to real people who will personally walk you through the registration and attendance process if you desire.
Only 3 days left to register for the Conference November 21-22.
This Webinar is held daily, from: Nov 21, 2009 to Nov 22, 2009 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM MST
USA Mountain Standard Time

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

For detailed information on the BreakThru-Technologies Conference including
the conference schedule, please visit: www.Breakthru-Technologies.com
The Breakthru-Technologies Conference

A public conference featuring internationally renown visionary innovators in alternative energy systems, sustainability, agriculture, health, and education, called the Breakthru-Technologies Conference, will be held at Delta Calgary Airport Hotel, 2001 Airport Road N.E.. Sat, Sun November 21-22.

You will be able to hear talks by keynote speakers Daniel Winter and Nassim Haramein who are pioneers in a new “theory of everything” based on fractal geometry. Dan Winter gets over one million hits a month on his mind expanding website.

There will also be topics on physics, and health: all with paradigm-breaking ideas from this assemblage of extremely creative scientific minds.

Artists and designers can learn about Urban Design, Therapeutic Geometry, and Reinventing the Fashion Industry.

Farmers, growers, and sustainability enthusiasts can learn about Magnetic Water Technology, Eco Fuels, Microbial Soil Regeneration, Bio-Architecture, and Blooming the Desert.

Are you are interested in a new down-to-earth theory of hypersonic propulsion and its use in sustainable human transportation? Then you will find Sapoty Brook’s talk and experiments using oxyhydrogen produced from water for HyperSonic Propulsion Systems exciting.

Eco Global Fuels Mr. Spiros from Australia is presenting his just released invention on Hydrogen energy and producing the most cost effective earth friendly transportation fuel, made from water and sunlight and greenhouse gas emissions!

This conference, at Delta Calgary Airport Hotel, will enable you to talk first hand with these ground-breaking innovators

http://breakthru-technologies.com/

Schliersee Files:Lüneburg Fever!!

I totally agree with St. Augustine when he says “The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page”.Our trip to Lüneburg was a life changing experience quite significant as well.

First of all, the whole activities of day was a big picture of how a young person should tailor his/her life. We formally started with an inspiration session with Bobby Dekeyser where he told us the whole grass to grass story of Dedon furniture. His experience as an entrepreneur validates the fact that the days of small beginnings should never be ignored.

His the session gave way for a period of project review and objective criticism. Fellows were expected to develop a project idea and table it before expects. I was privileged to share my idea with Dr Nobert Losing and Florian Hoffman. They did a good job listening and guiding me on how to bring my ideas to life.

The last two sessions added colour and spice to the whole day  We had the option of going for aerobics or playing soccer. I wasn’t ready for soccer so I signed up for aerobics. When the aerobics “master” started his thing, I almost changed my mind. My muscles were literally telling me to quit and go drink some orange juice at the Dedon restaurant. We ended on time so I also had the chance to play soccer.

After the sports session we had dinner!

What followed next left me wondering if all the fellows and of course Bobby were graduates of a popular acting school. The Karaoke session was H.O.T. We had all manner of costumes. I had this shiny shirt and hat that left me looking like a combination of Michael Jackson and a circus leader.

What more can be more magical than playing Billiards with a charming lady and breaking all the rules of the game  . We drove in Katharina Waldschmidt’s car to a popular Billiards and Darts joint. It was the first time I played both games.But who cares, I broke all the rules and still felt like a pro  ) We were on the game till 12Midnight and it was Brigitte Wasmeire’s Birthday!

Gitti is our mother here in Germany. She joined us in Lunerburg a day after we arrived. Her presence constantly reminded us of the fact that we are all full blown Bavarians hehehe!! We sang her the popular birthday song and shared chocolates . I was just wondering who’s idea it was to present chocolates instead of cake. But it worked! She was moved by the midnight transition from the Billiards and Darts chaos to a chocolate-sharing birthday party!

This whole stretch of activities is a type of life balancing recipe. A time to be inspired, a time to think and plan,a time to share your thoughts and ideas with friends and family, a time to act and work , a time to pay attention to your physical well-being and of course a time to hang out with friends…get lazy and wasted!

Lüneburg is the city of Salt and Sebastian Bach.Believe it or not, these guys literally float on salt. Who knows,Lüneburgers could as well be the salt of the earth Christ referred to in the scriptures  They are famous for their salt trade across the world. And guess what I saw at the city’s Salt Museum? An exhibition of bags with A.G Leventis, Nigeria written on it! Long time ago, this company imported salt from Lüneburg and distributed it in Nigeria. I instantly felt a strong sense of connection with the city. I never in my wildest imagination thought that my home country would have any form of trade connection with Lüneburg. It’s indeed a small world!

I miss Lüneburg and i miss one special thing in particular.It’s my small secret …DON’T ASK ME :d

Visit www.dekeyserandfriends.org  to read our dairies,see our videos and photos !!

Social Entreprise Summit SAN FRANCISCO 2010!!

A new sector is emerging with the primary purpose of addressing social, environmental and economic challenges of our time. The growth of social enterprise has the potential to be a defining innovation of this century.

Don’t miss this international forum advocating for increased social impact through social enterprise. Join over 500 social entrepreneurs in San Francisco to learn, grow, be inspired, make new connections from around the globe and become part of this expanding movement.

* Session Proposals: We are no longer accepting session proposals for Summit 2010. The deadline for submission was September 28th.

* Help advocate for wider use of social enterprise approaches

* Meet your model for building a sustainable mission-based enterprise

* Get inspired by touring successful social enterprises in San Francisco

* Make new connections to grow your impact

* Enjoy the attractions of beautiful San Francisco

Additional information will be posted here as it is available.

In the meantime, you can get a feel for this unique event by viewing information from:

* the 10th Anniversary Summit, April 15-17, 2009 in New Orleans, LA;

* the 2008 Social Enterprise World Forum held in Edinburgh, Scotland; and

* the upcoming 2009 Social Enterprise World Forum in Melbourne, Australia.

We look forward to seeing you in San Francisco!

See Details

Crossing Borders’ Global Studies Programme..APPLY!!!

In the course of Crossing Borders Global Studies you will cross your personal, cultural, and ideological borders to become an aware global citizen.

You will test your ideas and build your capacity to act in the world. You will discover the global perspective in all that you do. You will examine globalisation through the lens of ethics (fair trade and the free movement of peoples), socio-cultural issues (freedom of speech and religious and fundamentalism), the environment (and international efforts to manage it), and post September 11 conflict issues. You will examine the larger geo-political forces at work in the world and observe how they play out in the economic lives of people worldwide. The course combines lectures, workshops, group projects, study tours and presentations. Global activism will be one possibility after this course. Global awareness will be a certainty.

Course instructors: Garba Diallo and Mette Juel Madsen

The Course idea
A globally-oriented, interdisciplinary course in English addressing current global issues
Led by a multicultural faculty and serving a multicultural learning group
Built on interdependent learning/action modules
Deriving key projects and activities from learners’ interests
Delivering concrete learning outcomes – booklets, short films, multimedia presentations, public actions, exhibitions, performances, local or global communications initiatives.
Transmitting relevant skills and perspectives for living and/or working in any part of the world.

The Aim
To provide a unique learning environment for youth from Denmark and abroad to raise their awareness of the key global forces and structures impacting on their lives.
To offer pathways toward becoming active global citizens with the competencies to seek understanding, communicate, connect and cooperate with other people.

More Information
For more information, please see: http://www.krogerup.dk/Crossing-Borders-Global-Studies

See the Crossing Borders Website http://www.crossing-borders.org/cb-global-studies

The AYF Entrepreneurship Seminar 26th-31st October 2009 Accra, Ghana

The AYF Entrepreneurship Seminars are dynamic, interactive, in-depth look
into the fundamentals of starting viable small business enterprises.

Scheduled to be held from 26th to-31st October 2009 in Accra, Ghana; the 5
Day Entrepreneurship Training Seminar will serve as a comprehensive guide
for aspiring entrepreneurs, with each day of the course focusing on
different crucial aspects of entrepreneurship, from choosing a business
idea to writing a business plan and knowing where and how to obtain
funding. An entrepreneur needs business skills, knowledge and organization
to be successful, and this is what the AYF Seminar will provide ? an
exciting opportunity to gain the insight necessary to succeed!

Young people interested in establishing business at the micro level can
submit their applications for potential micro financing through some
sponsors. Proposals should be very brief outlining income/expenditure
budgets. Maximum 3 pages.

Further information about the seminar are available at:
http://www.janero.eu/training/index.htm
http://www.ayf.de/events/events.htm

Email enquiries regarding proposals could be sent to the Attention of Mr.
Patrick Opoku at: opoku(at)ayf.de

Also to be held as a side course is the “Train the Mentor” course which
will be taking place from 29th to 31 October 2009. Further information are
available at: http://www.ayf.de/events/events.html

Email enquiries could be sent to the Attention of Ms. Megan Strachan at:
Strachan(at)ayf.de

Regards

Moderator

********************************
AYF (African Youth Foundation; Afrikanische Jugendhilfe e.V.)
Sebastianstr. 177-179
53115 Bonn
Germany

Tel.: +49 228 910 8833
Fax: +49 228 92 66 991

Internet: www.ayf.de
Email: info@ayf.de

Maker Faire Africa(MFA) is excited to announce that its search for Makers is now open!

There are no educational and or professional restrictions on participating as Maker at MFA.

What we ask is that your contraption,prototype etc. be something you made yourself or together with others. We are just as interested in the finished item as the process/path the Maker(s) took in getting there. Photographs/Video of the assembly/fashioning/fabrication process are welcome they will add very valuable context to what you/your and or co-makers will be presenting.

MFA seeks to spur collaboration between participants and across disciplines consequently we welcome makers whose interests do not fall neatly under pre-described categories, in fact we welcome the uncategorizable.

The underlying theme of our inaugural event is to celebrate ingenuity, innovation and invention within Africa.The key words here are to celebrate and have fun while absorbing,interacting and learning from the creativity of others.

Maker Faire’s are playful and informal events where the value for participants is contingent on the extent to which they interact with the Makers and their displays and vice-versa.

We look forward to hearing from you please contact info@makerfaireafrica.com if you have further questions.

Key Points:

Entry Close Date: July 15th, 2009. Space is limited, please submit your entry by the due date!
Dates: August 14th-16th, 2009
Hours: Saturday 10am – 8pm (6pm – 8pm evening program); Sunday 10am – 6pm.
We’re also specifically looking for makers with projects in the following categories:

Mechanical
Electronics/Software
Metalwork
Energy
Model-Making
Woodwork
Textiles
Robotics
Chemistry
Gardening/Botany
Food
Student Projects
And more….

Submit your project here

oikos Student Entrepreneurship Award Call 2009

The annual “oikos Student Entrepreneurship Award” recognizes outstanding entrepreneurial student projects in the field of Higher Education for Sustainable Development that had a proven and visible impact in the field of Sustainable Campus or Curricula Change. An international award jury (see jury 2008) selects the projects.

In 2009, we honour projects in two tracks:

Curricula Change

Tomorrow’s leaders require both knowledge on sustainable economics and management and action-oriented skills to make a difference in practice.
Call 2009 – Curricula Change

For the “Curricula Change” track, we are searching for projects that equip tomorrow’s decision makers with knowledge on sustainable economics and management and action-oriented skills to make a difference for sustainability in practice.

This can include projects that:

* Host guest lectures, workshops and conferences on sustainability;
* Establish dedicated sustainability courses and teaching programmes;
* Integrate sustainability issues into economics and management curricula;
* Develop and implement new action-oriented learning models;
* Convince university faculty and administration to pro-actively pursue the topic;
* Bring together students, professors, business and community;
* Give students a voice for sustainability!

Sustainable Campus

For the “Sustainable Campus” track, we encourage applications from student initiatives that make campus life and work more sustainable.

Call 2009 – Sustainable Campus

For the “Sustainable Campus” track, we encourage applications from student initiatives that make campus life and work more sustainable. This can include projects that:

* Improve energy efficiency or promote renewable energy on a campus;
* Reduce waste and establish innovative university recycling programmes;
* Set up a sustainable mobility system to and on a university campus;
* Promote organic and fair-trade food in a university cafeteria and restaurant;
* Change the behaviour of student and faculty members towards sustainability;
* Enable students to live sustainable on and off campus;
* Inspire other students to take initiative towards sustainability.

oikos Student Entrepreneurship Award – Apply now!

oikos invites students from all over the world to apply as groups or individuals.

Deadline: 30 September 2009

To enable the jury to adequately judge the quality of submitted projects, the application should contain the following four elements:

Presentation

A presentation that explains the logic behind the project and documents the achievements (please use the presentation template for your application).

Materials

At least on “real-life” document that illustrates the project execution (flyer, photos, programme brochure, website)

Recommendation

A reference letter or a reference address from a external person that has an insight into the project’s quality (not required for nominated projects)
Selection Process

The winner will be selected by an international jury comprising sustainability experts, past oikos Student Award winner and representatives from student organisations. The selection will be based on a common rating scheme and individual interviews with the project applicants in October 2009. The final decision is made in a telephone conference by the jury members.

The “Changemaker Encounter” during the oikos Winter School will be the place of announcement.

http://www.oikos-international.org/en/projects/award/award-2009.html

Call for Proposals, United States Institute of Peace, Annual Grants Competition

The Grant Program increases the breadth and depth of the Institute’s work by supporting peacebuilding projects managed by non-profit organizations including educational institutions, research institutions, and civil society organizations.

In over twenty years of grantmaking, the Grant Program’s Annual Grant Competition and Priority Grant Competition have received nearly 10,000 applications and awarded almost 2,000 grants. The Institute has provided funding to grantees located in 46 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and in 81 foreign countries.
Deadline for Annual Grant Competition:
October 1, 2009
Information about the Competition:

* Guidelines for Online Submission
* Review Process
* Eligible Grant Recipients
* Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’S)

The Annual Grant Competition:

* supports innovative peacebuilding projects involving research, the identification of promising models and effective practices, the development of practitioner resources and tools, the development and delivery of education, training and dialogue programs, and the production of films, radio programs, and other media.
* funds projects focused on preventing, managing, and resolving violent conflict and promoting post-conflict peacebuilding in settings outside the borders of the U.S. Awards support activities that apply across a broad range of relevant disciplines, skills, and approaches. USIP welcomes proposals of an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary nature.

Topic areas of interest to USIP include, but are not limited to:

* Conflict analysis and prevention;
* Mediation and conflict resolution;
* Postconflict peace and stability operations;
* Religion and peacemaking;
* Women and girls in conflict and peacebuilding;
* Rule of law and transitional justice;
* Economies and conflict;
* Social, psychological, and physical impacts of war and conflict;
* Media and conflict.

Annual Grant Competition facts:

* In March 2009, the USIP Board of Directors approved 24 annual grant competition awards from the October 2008 competition.
* USIP normally receives between 200 and 300 proposals annually and gives awards on average to 15 percent of the applicant pool.
* The awards generally range from $50,000 to $120,000.
* The deadline is October 1, 2009.

Eligible Grant Recipients

USIP may provide grant support to nonprofit organizations and individuals—both U.S. and foreign—including the following: institutions of post-secondary, community, and secondary education; public and private education, training or research institutions, and libraries.

American and foriegn individuals and nonprofit organizations may apply. Individuals whose proposals are funded will be required to identify a nonprofit organization to receive and manage the grant monies. When applicants are employed by an eligible institution, such as a college or university, USIP requires that grants be made to the institution rather than to the individual.

Support for degree work is not eligible in the Grant Program. Inquiries about support for dissertation research should be directed to USIP’s Jennings Randolph Peace Scholar Dissertation Program.

Only one application per competition may be submitted by the same project director.

Unsuccessful applicants of previous Grant Program competitions may not submit the same application unless it has been substantially revised.

USIP will not accept applications that list as participants, consultants, or project personnel members of USIP’s Board of Directors or staff. In addition, any application that lists USIP as a collaborator in the project will not be accepted.

Individuals who are currently working as USIP contractors may not be eligible to apply for grant support. To determine eligibility prior to submitting an application, please contact the Grant Program staff.

Applications must be submitted in English.

See Details http://www.usip.org/grants-fellowships/annual-grant-com…

African Professionals (AfriPRO) Network seeks Country Coordinators

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit. ~Nelson Henderson

This is to invite applications and or recommendations for COUNTRY COORDINATORS of the African Professionals (AfriPRO) Network. The selected coordinators will be responsible for the coordination of AfriPRO activities in Africa.

We are looking for young African professionals who are committed to the development of Africa and who must be willing to contribute meaningfully to the development of young African professionals. He or she will have to display they can identify investment opportunities in different countries in Africa as we believe strongly that what Africa needs is not AIDS but investment.

Applicants or candidates must be interested in the vision of AfriPRO as highlighted in our website www.afripro. org. You can read below a brief profile of the Network. Details about the position and responsibilities will be provided to selected candidates.

Warm Regards,

Victor Gotevbe

==========

History of AfriPRO
Since inception in December 2002, with our fist event in Newark, New Jersey in April 2003, as the Nigeria Professionals Network (NiPRO), one of our core missions then as it is now was to make accessible the vast talent pool of Young Nigeria Professionals in the Diaspora to Nigeria. However, since then the scope of our mission has broadened and has grown to include not just Nigerians, but all young Africans in the Diaspora, people of African dissent and friends of Africa. As a 501(c)(6) organization, with chapters across the United States and chapters in Nigeria, United Kingdom and Canada; we are determined to promote and seek the interest of our members and most of all, get Africans in the Diaspora actively involved in the advancement of Africa through our various programs and initiatives.

——————————————————————————–

About AfriPRO
The African professionals network, AfriPRO, is a worldwide network of motivated and dedicated young African professionals at home and in the diaspora, working together to build a prosperous, united and stronger Africa for now and the future.

Our Vision
The vision of the African professional network is to build a new African powerhouse whose people are prosperous, wealthy, united and self-assured.

Our Mission
AfriPRO is an organisation that serves to motivate its network of young African professionals and people of African descent to build a new Africa. We are also dedicated to the advancement of Africans worldwide.

Objectives
Address the economic, financial, political, professional, social and cultural issues that affect young African professionals today.
Build a network of young African professionals worldwide.
Create an avenue to highlight and showcase the vast talents and contributions of Africans worldwide.
Foster a Traveler’s Philanthropy in Africa, an initiative that enables professionals lend their expertise while visiting Africa.
Initiate community development efforts where African professionals in the Diaspora embark on various missions to lend their professional expertise and help develop communities in Africa.
Motivate young Africans to join the mission of rebuilding Africa with their expertise and resources.
Organize seminars, symposia and workshops to enhance the professional, economic and social development of Africans.

–
Victor Gotevbe is the Africa Regional Coordinator(AfriPRO) , Country Director;YouthBank , Principal Partner ;Conduit Consulting and Personnel Officer,Vanguard Media Limited-www.vanguardngr. com

He can be reached on +234-8033057677 or by email gotebs@afripro. org or victor@unesco. co.uk.