Shades of Poverty. Desafios ao Desenvolvimento Humano Integral.

Shades of Poverty.

Desafios ao Desenvolvimento Humano Integral

 November  25-26, 2024

Universidade Católica Portuguesa

Hybrid format (in-person and online)

Call for Abstracts

Since Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, poverty has ceased to be understood solely as a lack of material resources. It has come to be considered holistically, encompassing the various deprivations people face in all areas of their lives, and affecting their multiple capacities. Today, poverty seems to function more radically as any obstacle to the person's integral development. Discriminatory social attitudes towards the phenomenon of poverty vary and have been the subject of ethical reflection, with Adela Cortina's innovative concept of 'aporofobia' standing out.

The Conference aims to promote interdisciplinary dialogue around the theme of poverty, deepen our understanding of it, and offer theoretical/concrete responses for the local/ global eradication of the phenomenon of poverty, based on the contributions of the different fields of specialization of the speakers (human, social and health sciences). The Conference aims to contribute to integral human development, always considering the person as an end in itself (Kant), and in its universality, therefore extending to all, without exception.

The conference will be structured into thematic sessions with national and international guests from different areas. There will be two panels for presentations, which will be selected through this call for abstracts, as well as an exhibition of posters with times for their presentation during the two days. We encourage abstracts that investigate the following topics and questions, and whether they focus on more conceptual or empirical studies. We also welcome other enriching approaches to the theme of poverty in addition to those included in this call:

. Culture and Poverty: How is poverty represented artistically and culturally and what is the impact of these representations on the public, particularly the most disadvantaged, and in social policies? How is culture accessed in contexts of poverty, and what are its potentials and restrictions? What role does cultural education play in eradicating poverty? How does preserving cultural heritage contribute to integral human development in disadvantaged communities?

. Economy and Poverty: How can economic growth models be designed to ensure that human development is inclusive and sustainable? Which fiscal, monetary, and financial inclusion policies most effectively reduce poverty and promote integral human development? Case studies and global empirical evidence are welcome. What is the relationship between investment in education, technological innovations, poverty reduction, and the promotion of human development? What economic policies could maximize these impacts, especially on vulnerable populations?

.Education and Poverty: How does poverty affect children's education and development, and what is the role of schools in mitigating its effects on children? Do teachers' expectations and preconceptions affect the academic performance of impoverished students? Should education policies encourage the adaptation of curricula according to families' socio-economic factors? What are the obstacles for disadvantaged students at different levels of education and how can they be overcome? 

. Health and Poverty: Why is health linked to the sustainable development of a society? How are economic inequalities reflected in health disparities? How does poverty put people's health at risk? How can the relationship between health and poverty be approached integrally?

. Law and Poverty: What are the main legal obstacles faced by vulnerable populations and how can law frame social policies to eradicate poverty (health, education, work, etc.)? How can we provide a legal framework for migrant populations and create the conditions for them to flourish? What is the role of international organizations in creating and implementing legal policies to eradicate poverty? How can States collaborate more effectively within these structures to promote integral human development?

. Philosophy and Poverty: What is the position of the main philosophical traditions in relation to poverty? How do the principles and concepts of citizenship, personal freedom, responsibility, equality, and justice relate to poverty? How can the phenomenon of poverty be understood concerning the problems of luck and merit? What social policies might be most effective in combating extreme poverty? Which ethical theories can best justify the fight against poverty and consequent discrimination, and how can these be reconciled with integral human development?

. Psychology and Poverty: How does poverty affect human development and what interventions can best mitigate this impact? What is its impact on mental health, particularly personal esteem and trauma? What factors contribute to promoting the resilience of individuals in disadvantaged contexts and how can they be promoted?

. Religion and Poverty: How do different religious traditions narrate and interpret poverty? How can faith provide hope and resilience in situations of deprivation? What role have religion and the Church played in the assistance and development of poor communities throughout history? How does Catholicism interpret integral human development and what are its challenges in the contemporary world? How can Christian education and formation promote integral human development?

. Social Work and Poverty: Which innovative social work practices have proven effective in reducing poverty and promoting integral human development? Case studies and successful methodologies.

How can social workers influence the formulation and implementation of inclusive public policies aimed at eradicating poverty? How do the ethical principles of social work influence work with people living in poverty? What are the most common ethical dilemmas and how can they be resolved?

. Sociology and Poverty: What are the social dynamics that fuel social exclusion and how can they be reversed? How do inequalities in gender, ethnicity, social class, disability, and family dynamics (family structure, intergenerational relationships) perpetuate poverty and influence human development? What is the role of social movements in the fight against poverty and in promoting integral human development?  What impact do social inclusion policies have on reducing poverty?

. Other topics related to Poverty and Integral Human Development.

If you are interested in these topics, you can submit an abstract proposal for individual papers (200-500 words) and posters in Portuguese, Spanish, English, or French.

Proposals must be submitted by September 30 to [email protected] and [email protected], indicating the title and abstract of the proposal, the author's name and biography (100 words), institutional affiliation, contact e-mail address, and an indication of the intention to present a poster or paper, either in person or on-line.

The Committee will contact the authors of the abstracts by October 15, 2024. The Conference will be at Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Lisbon, Portugal) on November 25 and 26, 2024.