Your invitation to the Latvia Summercamp: ‘the future of work’
July 12-16, 2015 Venue: Vidzemes Perle, Malpils
Main theme: In Europe with huge numbers of young people facing long-term unemployment, increasing social inequality and several technologies in the pipeline which have the potential to either exacerbate or mitigate such inequalities, it seems that there may be a need for society to consider a transformational change in our concept and practice in terms of the notion of 'work’ or ‘labour’.
Content: In this summercamp we aim to build on the successful event in Strasbourg last summer, curated by Cathie Fanton and her colleagues, examining the future of European society and its structures with an emphasis on its implications for younger people.
The sub-themes, which will help structure the three main days of the meeting, examine the social pressures for ‘work’ as an economic driver (and who benefits) and the tension between that and the ancient notion of meaningful activity as a virtue. Emerging issues include, on the one hand the threat to work as a source of survival income that machine intelligence may bring, or on the other hand, the notion of ‘stepping-out’, alternative responses such as ‘degrowth’ and some young people’s solutions to mass employment elsewhere in Europe. Finally, we consider possible future scenarios in the context of reappraising the value systems that may structure our lives. Getting a perspective on purpose is appropriate in the Latvian setting where there is a very strong tradition of remaining connected to nature, appreciating the seasons and valuing the benefits derived from natural products such as wood oils, herbal energisers etc.
Location: The venue that is available is in the countryside of the northern part of Latvia, a country that summercamp has never previously visited, about one hour’s drive west of Riga and less than half an hour from the medieval town of Sigulda. The Baltic States have particular issues related to labour and work which stem in part from their recent history, but in addition the venue has been chosen to allow us to make contact with the more ancient history of the area as well as its natural beauty.
Vidzemes Perle is only about one hour coach transfer from Riga (included in the overall price). The accommodation is simple, but there are conference facilities, an outdoor swimming pool, sauna, barbecue etc. It is used for weddings, conferences and so forth, although we will have exclusive use, and can accommodate anywhere between 20 and 150 people. Nearer the time of the meeting you will be advised of the extra ways we will use exploration of the local culture and settings to complement the work of the Camp.
Administration: The Latvian Society for Quality will be managing the event in partnership with EHFF, the European Health Futures Forum, a not for profit sister organisation to ESQH, which in previous years had co-hosted summercamp with EOQ.
The team organising this camp is headed by Dzintars Putnis and colleagues from the Latvian Quality Society. Anne Ryan, Sean Conlan Emilie Schmitt and David Somekh are also members of the organising group and both Brigitte Monsou and Marius Buiting have offered support.
Travel arrangements: participants can chose to fly to Riga prior to Sunday July 12 and enjoy a brief visit to the historic town or fly in that day, prior to the departure of the coach to Malpils (the small town about 6km for our venue). As usual, the event will start in earnest on the Monday morning and finish about 12 noon on the Thursday (July 16), when transport back to Riga will be available.
Payment: as the attached registration and booking form shows (next page), the overall price is under 500€ for the whole event (excluding cost of flights) but there is a small variation depending on whether you book a single or double room ensuite or a single or double with communal toilet facilities.
We ask you to register, book and pay as soon as you can, both to ensure you get the accommodation you want and also to get your flights as cheaply as possible. Payment is by bank transfer and needs to be done before June 22nd. We’re using the EHFF not for profit sterling account to avoid incurring VAT costs within Latvia, but administration will be handled by Dzintars and his colleague Liva Rancane ().
Note: courtesy of our Strasbourg colleagues we can offer two bursaries of 300€ each for younger participants (under 35) who have more limited incomes.
Additional information: there will be one or two updates and some final information prior to your departure but if there is anything not clear to you from this flyer, please contact either: or
May 13th 2015
Your invitation to Malpils Summer Camp
July 12th -16th 2015
“Summercamp presents an opportunity to experience a knowledge ecology around the topic of change management among practitioner-leaders. It is a place where you are allowed to dream”
REGISTRATION & BOOKING FORM
Please fill out the form in capital letters and send it to (by the latest on June 10 2015)
Latvian Society for Quality Brivibas 155/4, Riga LV-1012 LATVIA
Phone: +371 29250615 or +371 29193256 Email:
Mr £ Ms £Last Name
First Name
Organisation/Company
Address
Country
Mobile phone
Second or third “camper” (same family)
husband £ wife £ student £
(last & first name)
Fees
Fee include transfer from Riga to Malpils and back, accommodation, meals and cultural programme / Please specify
____ single room with toilet on the floor - 450 EUR
____ double room with toilet inside room - 880 EUR (sharing with partner)
____ double room with toilet on the floor – 840 EUR (sharing with partner)
*** Shower is on the floor for all rooms.
Please note that due to limited participation, registration will only become final upon receipt of conference fees, on a “first come - first served” basis
Method of Payment / Please pay to the following account:
Bank / NATWEST Bank, Newport IOW branch; 107, St James St., PO30 1XH UK
SWIFT / NWBK GB 2L
IBAN / GB90 NWBK 607213 17092647
Account holder / European Health Futures Forum
Details of payment / Participation in Summer Camp 2015
Please indicate the name of participant(s)
Cancellation Policy / Refund of 80% of sum paid if cancellation is received before June 22nd 2015, after this day 50% of the respective amount will be refund
Date: ………………………………………… Your Signature:……………………………………….. *
* please be aware that by signing this form, you expressly accept our cancellation policy
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