• Regional social capital in Europe:
  http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/htmlfiles/ef04114.htm
  
  
• Social capital and job creation in rural Europe:
  http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/htmlfiles/ef0718.htm
  
  
• First European Quality of Life Survey: Urban-rural Differences:
  http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/htmlfiles/ef0663.htm
  
  
• First European Quality of Life Survey: Key findings from a policy perspective: http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/htmlfiles/ef0714.htm
  
  

On the Foundation's web site the EurLIFE database is also available. EurLIFE is an interactive database on quality of life in Europe, offering data drawn from the Foundation's own surveys and from other published sources: http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/areas/qualityoflife/eurlife/index.php

• .org/mailman/listinfo/nep-soc/ for a free subscription to the service.

Cities are a magnet for Canadians and immigrants, who stream into them in ever-increasing numbers. The swelling population of urban centres—now home to 80% of Canada’s citizens reflects the economic, educational and cultural opportunities offered by cities. At the crossroads of people, ideas, and capital, cities are the engine of innovation, knowledge and national prosperity. But Canadian cities currently face a number of important challenges, including: income inequality, integration of newcomers, maintenance of social cohesion, and civic engagement.

For more information please go to:

http://www.ccl-cca.ca/CCL/Reports/LessonsInLearning/LinL20071115_Learning_cities.htm?Language=EN

Interesting events on social capital, development and related topics can be found at:

http://www.socialcapitalgateway.org/eng-digitallibraries.htm

EUROCITIES is the network of major European cities. Founded in 1986, the network brings together the local governments of more than 130 large cities in over 30 European countries. EUROCITIES provides a platform for its member cities to share knowledge and ideas, to exchange experiences, to analyse common problems and develop innovative solutions, through a wide range of Forums, Working Groups, Projects, activities and events.

The latest issue of the UK’s Higher Education Academy’s publication, Academy Exchange contains pieces by PASCAL Associate, Dr Garnet Grosjean of UBC on Older Adults’ Learning and Pascal Co-Director, Professor Mike Osborne on Learning Regions. Full text is downloadable at:

http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/publications/exchange

Presenting a snapshot of contemporary international research into the pedagogy of lifelong learning and teaching, this book focuses on a wide range of issues related to lifelong learning, including higher education, community-based learning and literacy practices in continuing education. It highlights the fact that the wide-ranging conclusions they draw have vital implications for this rapidly changing field.

With contributions from around the world, this book brings together inter-related research from three fields: social capital, place management and lifelong learning regions. Providing valuable insight into the management of place and the development of learning at a regional level, the book presents international research that underpins the development and implementation of policies and practices that improve the quality of living and working circumstances at both local and regional levels.

This authoritative volume is a truly international contribution to the worldwide debate on how best to widen access to lifelong learning. The first section comprises research studies from around the world, reflecting the diversity of contexts in which widening access is researched and considers issues central to the access debate, including different understandings of the concept of access, organisational and structural change, curriculum development, entry policies, performance and retention and labour market outcomes. The second section illustrates diverse and innovative methodological approaches that have been employed by researchers in the field, and considers the range of approaches available.

The PASCAL Observatory on Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions invites contributions to its 5th international conference on the theme of ‘Lifelong Learning in the City-Region’ in Pecs, Hungary between 23 and 25 September 2007.