2008 International Doctoral Summer School in Corsica

July 3-8, 2008 - The first ever International Doctoral Summer School on the Social Economy took place in Corsica, France, providing participating students with an opportunity to connect with established researchers, professors, and potential collaborators. Hosted by Cinefogo, EMES, and the University of Corsica, this event was attended by more than 40 students from around the world. Three organizers from the Social Economy Students Network took part: Annie McKitrick (CSEHub), Mélanie Hamel (ARUC-ÉS/RQRP-ÉS), and Suzanne Cook (Social Economy Centre). We hope that even more SESN members are able to attend next year's convergence!

Personal Accounts from Participants

Mélanie Hamel of ARUC-ÉS/RQRP-ÉS, and the Québec coordinator of the SESN (translated from French by Lindsay Kearns): For a sociology seminar on socio-economic theory, Professor Jean-Marc Fontan (Director of l'Alliance de recherche universités-communautés et du Réseau québécois de recherche partenariale en économie sociale) invited his French colleague Jean-Louis Laville to present to his students on the topic of the Social Economy. Professor Laville teaches at the National Academy of Arts and Trades (CNAM, Paris), holds the Chaire Relations de service, and is the director of the interdisciplinary Laboratory for Economic Sociology, as well as one of the founders of EMES (European Research Network on the Social Economy). Prof. Laville seized the opportunity to invite the students to the First International Doctoral Summer School on the Social Economy, taking place during July 2008 in Corsica. This event was jointly organized by CINEFOGO (Network on Civil Society and New Forms of Governance in Europe), EMES, and the University of Corsica in France. The theme for the Summer School was “Social enterprises, third sector, social economy, solidarity-based economy: Empirical and theoretical debates", with the objective of providing postgraduate students with important analytical frameworks for Social Economy research through debates, workshops, discussions, and presentations. The theoretical core of the Summer School was based on various disciplinary approaches (traditional as well as nontraditional), presented by professors who are also members of EMES and/or Cinefogo. The majority of these recognized professors direct research centres covering a broad spectrum of research themes, allowing participants the opportunity to interact directly with established researchers in their fields. The event took place from July 3rd to 8th at the University of Corsica. This paradisaic French island provided participants with an experience that was rich not only in theoretical, methodological and empirical debates, but in atmosphere as well. The program consisted of lectures by international researchers and professors, as well as group workshops in which students could present their own research projects and receive feedback from other students and professors. There were also numerous networking opportunities. Over forty students took part, coming from 22 country (including Canada, Turkey, Japan, India, and Belgium) and from various university faculties (such as economics and social sciences). All were enthusiastic of their experience with the Summer School, commenting on the rare opportunity to interact with professors in both formal classroom environments as well as informal settings such as visits to tourist attractions. During the evaluation session on the very last day of the Summer school, several participants proposed the creation of a committee within EMES. The Social Economy Student Network of CSERP will be affiliated with this new association, which will develop future educational activities for students at an international level. Though there was a diversity of research fields and even of terminologies (social economy, interdependent economy, social company, collective company) favoured by the students and professors at the Summer School, there was a prominent transverse element joining everyone: A belief in economic solidarity.

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Suzanne Cook of the Social Economy Centre, and Southern Ontario representative for the SESN: The Need for a Doctoral Summer School Program Recognizing the variety of approaches to the field of study known as the "third sector" around the world, the need to mentor the increasing number of young researchers entering the field who will become the next generation of academics, and the various disciplines (political science, business, sociology, economics, adult education, anthropology) they are working within, sometimes in isolation, the Network CINEFOGO (Network on the civil society and the new forms of governorship in Europe) and the EMES (European Research Network) saw the need for a doctoral training program for young scholars in the third sector that addresses theoretical and methodological research issues. The goal of the First International Summer School “Social enterprises, third sector, social economy, solidarity-based economy: Empirical and theoretical debates” was to enhance and widen important analytical frameworks available to future scholars, beyond the socio-political or non-profit perspective typically favoured. The Perfect Location To host this type of international program, a location was carefully selected. The University of Corsica was chosen. The university is located in Corte on the island of Corsica in France. Corsica is the most mountainous of the Mediterranean islands. Corsica is named the Island of Beauty because its landscapes are majestic. The Program From July 3rd to 7th, 2008, I had the honour and privilege of attending the First International Social Economy Doctoral Summer School. CINEFOGO, EMES and the University of Corsica jointly organized the International Summer School Program. Approximately forty students from around the world, from 22 countries, and speaking many different first languages, attended the program. The countries represented include Canada, India, Spain, Germany, Japan, Turkey, and Belgium. Twelve professors – members of the EMES and/or Cinefogo networks – presented both traditional and non-traditional disciplinary approaches to the field as part of the theoretical body of knowledge for the summer school. The format for the five day program consisted of lectures, debates, workshops and presentations. The highlight for me was the thesis groups where each doctoral student had the opportunity to present on his or her research for one hour in a small group setting. An Enriching Experience for the Participants The program was valuable for the wide variety of learning and networking opportunities provided. The one weakness with the program was that it did not address hands-on research issues as much as participants wanted, especially in regard to methodology. The variety of perspectives represented during the program rivalled those we find among our social economy colleagues across Canada. However, there was an instant feeling of camaraderie, support and respect among all participants; all voices were heard and everyone contributed. This feeling of intimacy may have come from the beauty of the location, the small size of the group, the sharing of meals and dormitory accommodation, the evening downtime and the many informal opportunities we had to spend time together. We had many adventures together, exploring what the island had to offer during down time. Some of us fit in two trips to the beach including a midnight dip, while others swam in the river beside the university during our hour and a half lunch breaks. For me, the summer school was a wonderful opportunity. From this experience I gained insights into my thesis, including a broader international perspective on my research topic, and connected with a broad group of colleagues who I now call friends. Will we create a similar program in Canada? There are many benefits to providing a similar learning and networking opportunity in Canada. Annie McKitrick, Manager of the Canadian Social Economy Hub also participated in the Summer School in Corsica and there is interest in reproducing the program here. We will definitely keep you posted.

Click here to see photos of this event

Podcasts

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