Challenges and strategies of demographic change in Russia and Eastern Europe

Description

� Background

Demographic change is today one of the key challenges of sustainable development with many countries experiencing a decline in the urban population over the past few decades due to suburbanisation and de-industrialisation, which has resulted in a wide range of socio-economic issues (e.g. increased unemployment rate, decrease in revenue, degradation of properties). Mainly due to falling fertility rates, many cities and regions are likely to continue to “shrink” in the coming decades, even with some increases in population due to migration (from within or outside the country).

Russia and Eastern European countries face significant challenges that although sharing similarities with other OECD countries have unique dimensions not well understood. Russia from 1999 to 2009 lost 3.97% of its total population, other significant population changes over eastern Europe over the same time period include Bulgaria (-8.2%), Ukraine (-7.79%), Latvia (-6.1%) Albania (+5.93%) and Lithuania (+5.57%). Azerbaijan and Kosovo experienced 10.65% and 8.97% increase in population. The majority of the eastern European Countries are experiencing an increase in ageing population, from 1996-2001 Lithuania and Slovenia have experienced 4% increase from 1996 to 2011, followed by Latvia (3.6%) and Estonia (3.3%). A few countries have also experienced a minor decline in proportion of population aged over 65 with Azerbaijan and Russia from 2006 to 2010 experiencing -1.2% and -1.0% respectively.

New thinking is needed to address the planning, employment, and social implications of demographic change dynamics; sharing of current new experiences, policies, programmes and initiatives is a key knowledge intensive activity for addressing global challenges at the local level.

The seminar is organised within the framework of the OECD LEED Forum on Partnerships and Local Governance and its outcomes will feed into the OECD LEED Project on local scenarios of demographic change.

� The seminar

The 1.5-day seminar will explore:

	The current and most significant impacts of demographic changes in urban and rural areas in Russia and Eastern European countries.
	Examples of current strategic approaches to address demographic changes and its opportunities for sustainable growth in new areas such as the green, silver and white industrial ecologies.
	Experiences and cases from OECD countries, including the example of the Province of Trento and a field study tour.

With informative case studies, expert contributions and interactive workshops, the seminar will be a valuable opportunity to share experiences and explore new approaches, economic and employment thinking. The seminar will also offer opportunities to be part of a larger network of experts on demographic change and local development..

� Who

The seminar is targeted at national, regional and local practitioners who deal with anticipating and managing demographic changes in Russia and Eastern European countries and want to interchange experiences and approaches with other experts from OECD countries.

The seminar is also targeted to practitioners from other countries willing to exchange experiences and knowledge in the topic. Experts who are keen to share good practices and to be part of a knowledge network on demographic change & local development are also welcome to apply.

� How to apply

Please complete this application form and write no more than 200 words telling us about a specific case of impact of demographic change you have experience with and the actions or policies designed to tackle the challenges. Successful applicants will be informed as soon as possible after the closing date for applications, Friday 8 June 2012.

� Logistics

Costs:	No participation fee is required. Participants cover their own travel and accommodation.
Language:	English.
Venue:	OECD LEED Trento Centre, Trento – Italy (see website).

� Contact

For further information on the seminar, please contact the OECD Secretariat or visit our website