Microsoft Word - 1st Global Conference The Value of Work.doc


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st Global Conference 

The Value of Work 

 

Friday 5th November – Sunday 7th November 2010 

Prague, Czech Republic 

 

This conference aims to bring together people from a wide range of disciplines, 

professions and vocations to focus on a fundamental aspect of human life: work. 

 

Work has pervasive influence on human life. Where we live, how we live, how we 

learn and see the world is strongly shaped by the work we do. Since the industrial 

revolution some of the expected benefits of the implementation of technology, and 

contemporary management have not been realised. 

 

While working hours are generally not what they were in the Industrial revolution, 

actual working hours for many people have not decreased in the last 10-15 years. 

This is because many people work more than their formally specified hours in order to 

meet their job requirements. A common feature of contemporary management is 

an ongoing expectation of ‘doing more with less’. This means many people are 

working at an increased pace of work, and or are working longer. 

 

The shift from more coercive and authoritarian to management to ‘self policing’ 

where workers individually and collectively internalise responsibility for their work can 

lead workers to be overly preoccupied with work. Work concerns may play on 

peoples minds 24/7. Work may also have detrimental effects on family, our social 

and national culture, and global cultures. 

 

This conference seeks to gain understanding of the nature work and the specific 

nature of its impacts. It is also seeks perspectives and understanding that break from 

the logic of how work is often done. In particular what are the possibilities of work 

that contributes to human flourishing? 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Papers, workshops and presentations are invited on any of the following themes: 

 

1. Understanding Work 

2. The Evolution of Work 

3. Harmful Work 

4. Flourishing Work 

5. Regaining Fair and Valuable Work 

6. Portrayals of Work 

7. Exemplary Workers 

 

The Steering Group particularly welcomes the submission of pre-formed panel 

proposals. Papers will also be considered on any related theme. 300 word abstracts 

should be submitted by Friday 28th May 2010. If an abstract is accepted for the 

conference, a full draft paper should be submitted by Friday 24th September 2010. 

 

 

For further details about the conference please visit: 

http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/critical-issues/ethos/the-value-of-work/call-for-

papers/