Call for papers: Inclusive Risk Governance in the Enlarged EU : Challenges and Opportunities

http://www.inderscience.com/browse/callpaper.php?callID=572

Call for papers: Inclusive Risk Governance in the Enlarged EU : Challenges and Opportunities

A special issue of the International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management (IJRAM)

Important Dates
Deadline for paper submission : 31 May 2007
First turn of papers review : 15 July 2007
Second turn of papers review : 30 September 2007
Final papers submission : 15 November 2007

The management of risks in the European countries has grown in complexity during the past decades, as the Union strove to meet the concerns of the various relevant actors (i.e. the public authorities, stakeholders such as industry or NGOs and affected citizens).

Activities posing risks in the areas of energy, chemical production, food and agriculture, transport, etc., have triggered a great concern after the experience of several major disasters at the European level and in the Member States. The implementation of novel technologies such as those of life and information is also facing resistance and conflict.

In order to respond to a perceived trust crisis of governance, a framework for inclusive risk governance is increasingly mentioned, together with a reflection on relevant knowledge and expertise. It requires new thinking about the nature of hazards and vulnerability, the relationship between public authorities, experts, stake-holders and citizens, and to consider how to improve the regulatory environment. Through various research activities, networking and institutional initiatives a European ‘inclusive’ risk governance culture is emerging.

The enlargement of the European Union with ten new Member States in 2004 and with another two in 2007, and the perspective of more new accessions in the coming decades, pose a specific challenge. The ‘legacy’ and the economic situation in some of the new Member States will increase pressure on this emerging risk governance culture.

The legacy of some of the new Member States’ recent political-economic history also consists of threats caused by unsafe infrastructure (including installations and working practices), institutional vulnerability and environmental and social degradation. But there is more at stake than the effective management of existing risks. A pressure for rapid economic growth in the new Member States and acceding countries, to close the gap with their other EU partners, can endanger the evolving EU strategy to maintain high levels of protection while promoting qualitative and sustainable growth.

But enlargement also presents enormous opportunities for the introduction of innovative practices. Confronted to an expanding diversity in the EU, awareness could raise of crucial aspects of risk issues that go beyond their technical definitions, paving the way for alternative more inclusive approaches.

The Special Issue specifically wants to address following two questions :

How to 'deepen' this turn towards more inclusive governance, i.e. make it truly 'reflexive' and not merely instrumental, and enhance its impact on EU policy making?

How to widen this turn, i.e. strengthening it in new Member States, that now have other priorities ('first the economy !')

It will strive for a mix of reflective papers addressing current developments in the EU and a set of case study articles specifically highlighting risk situations and experiences in new Member States.

For more information, please see the Journal Call for Papers website.