13th International Conference on Finance and Banking

13th International Conference on Finance and Banking will be held in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on 12-13 October 2011. Papers are currently accepted for presentation at the conference.

Subject areas of the conference

• Financial Crisis; Financial Theory and Financial Crisis; Regulation and Supervision versus Financial Crisis; Central Banks and their Role in Financial Crisis; Structural
• Impacts of Financial Crisis; Regional Impacts of Financial Crisis; Financial Crisis and Economic and Monetary Union; Impacts of Financial Crisis on Developing Countries;
• Financial Crisis and Transition Countries; Financial Markets before, during and after Financial Crisis; Risk Management and Financial Crisis; Financial Institutions and
• Financial Crisis; Financial Crisis and Economic Policy; Rating Agencies and Financial Crisis

Keynote speakers

• Prof. Dr. Paolo Manasse, Professor of Economics, University of Bologna, Italy
• Prof. Dr. Lubomír Lízal, Member of Board, Czech National Bank

Important Deadlines

• Submission of application and abstract: 31 July 2011
• Notification of acceptance: 5 August 2011
• Payment of conference fee: 31 August 2011
• Submission of receipt confirming the fee payment: 31 August 2011
• Submission of paper: 12 October 2011

Conference costs

• Conference fee: CZK 4 200 or EUR 200 (accomodation not included!)

• Reduced fee for PhD students: CZK 3 000 or EUR 150 (proof of student status shall be submitted to organizers along with application)
• Account number for payments in CZK: 101285316/0300
• Account number (IBAN) for payments in EUR: CZ6203001712800101285316
• Variable symbol: 6209
• Bank: Československá obchodní banka (ČSOB), branch Ostrava, Hollarova 5, 702 00
• Ostrava, Czech Republic
• SWIFT: CEKOCZPP
• Please make money order payment to “ICFB2011” and mention your surname
• The fee includes: presentation of paper, conference materials, conference proceedings (full papers on CD with ISBN), coffee breaks, two lunches, reception and guided walking tour

Contact

• e-mail: icfb@opf.slu.cz
• Please visit the website http://www.opf.slu.cz/kfi/icfb to see photos, proceedings, and other documentation from past conferences.

Upcoming Events and Programs for Young Journalists

“Impossible is Nothing: Reporting on Human Rights and International Conflicts” workshop for young journalists. Apply before Aug. 15!

How do you create balanced reports from conflict zones where things can change in a matter of minutes? How do you know who is telling you the truth? How can journalists get their facts right? What is the relationship between media coverage and human rights in such conflicts? If these are questions that interest you then we invite you to apply to become one of the 60 young journalists, aged between 18 and 30, reporting from inside the European Parliament in Brussels on Oct. 18-20. 

Participants will experience three days of creativity and innovation through political discussions, hands-on media workshops and invaluable insights into the European Parliament and the European media. They will interact with high-level European politicians, professional journalists and experts and engage in intercultural exchange through practical work and evening cultural activities. Over the course of the three-day workshop, each young journalist will produce a report on the topic of the seminar through their medium of choice - audio, video, print, online or photography. 

The workshop is organised by the European Parliament and the European Youth Press and is open to citizens and legal residents of the EU member states. 

 Travel will be reimbursed by the European Parliament. Accommodation and board will be covered through a lump sum also provided by the European Parliament. The European Youth Press aims to ensure the participation of young journalists from all 27 member states.

Please apply by sending a CV, a motivation letter and a few media clips (of any type) to a.berga@youthpress.org. We look forward to meet you in the European Parliament in Brussels!

Call for Applications to MEdiT’11. Apply before Aug. 7!

In October 2011, the European Youth Parliament Finland hosts MEdiT’11 - a convention gathering over 30 young committed individuals for five days to discuss, experience, and shape future ideas about using media in intercultural youth dialogue and the role of the media in non-formal learning. The aim of MEdiT’11 is to gather, revise, and disseminate knowledge and best practices in this field. Between 26th and 30th of October the participants will engage in an open space format to share and learn about topics they find important and inspiring. Each participant acts as a learner and as a trainer. In this way, the sharing of knowledge and best practices as well as the needs of the participants are brought to the fullest. Additionally, there will be inputs from external experts and excursions. The convention will be held in the Happi Youth Media Centre in Helsinki, which provides excellent facilities for working with all types of media (desktop publishing, internet, video, audio) and space for constant group facilitation and evaluation to support the learning process. 

The target group of MEdiT’11 are young people active in intercultural youth dialogue and exchange and have already experienced non-formal learning and have used media as a supportive tool. This event is especially designed for members of the European Youth Parliament and the European Youth Press. However, members from other organisations are welcome to participate.

WEBSITE: http://www.medit.eypacademy.org

EU Journalist Award – Together against discrimination!

The European Commission is pleased to announce that the 2011 edition of the EU Journalist Award – Together against discrimination! is now open. The EU Journalist Award is the only journalism competition for print and online journalists focused on discrimination and diversity issues in the EU.

Journalists taking part in the competition can win prizes worth up to 5000 EUR. All entries must have been published in registered media outlets from 18 September 2010 to 10 November 2011. To take part – enter your article online on the EU Journalist Award 2011 website. The 2011 competition will close at 12.00 (CET) on 10 November 2011.

WEBSITE: http://journalistaward.stop-discrimination.info/

East 4 South (E4S). Apply before Sept. 6!

“East for South - Development Awareness from the Roots” (E4S) enables the brightest young journalists from the EU’s 12 new member states (Malta, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Bulgaria or Romania) to produce high-quality reports on EU development policy in general and the EU commitment to the UN Millennium Development Goals in particular. Each media report should boost awareness of these issues in its home market. In each round, 10 students from new EU member states work with 10 journalists from sub-Saharan Africa. Each African/European team investigates a story related to challenges and opportunities of humanitarian cooperation - on the ground in sub-Saharan Africa. Experienced media professionals from DW-AKADEMIE prepare the teams for this project. After the field trip, professionals supervise the post-production of high-quality reports for TV, radio, print and/or online. The project is designed as an extracurricular activity for which students will get a certificate, as well as the final reports they produced. In total 30 European students will take part in E4S. Deadline for application is at 12pm (GMT) on September 6 2011.

WEBSITE: http://east4south.org/

Illegal Economy, Mafias and Financial Globalisation. Apply now for the new edition of Otranto Legality Experience!

Otranto Legality Experience (OLE) is a unique opportunity to investigate issues related to the relationship between organised crime and globalisation, through workshops, seminars and discussions held by Italian and international speakers. Organised by FLARE Network, the event is held from 5th to 11th of September 2011. The goal is to develop and set a benchmark in Europe for the role of civil society in combating transnational organised crime.

Website: http://www.ole2011.org/

Grants fund investigative journalism. Apply before Aug. 15!

Investigative journalists can apply for a reporting grant. The grants, sponsored by the Fund for Investigative Journalism, are intended to support investigative projects around the world. The average award is US$5,000, which should cover out-of-pocket expenses such as travel costs. The Fund does not cover grantees’ salaries or equipment. The first half of the grant is given once an application is approved and the second half is paid when the project is complete. Recent grants include investigations on the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, the chocolate trade, Moment Magazine, for an investigation on discrimination against Jews in the U.S. Army Corps, and the Daniel Pearl Project. All proposals must be submitted in English and include a detailed budget.

Website: http://fij.org/apply-grant

Rebellious Media Conference in London in October

A conference on media, activism and social change will take place on Oct. 8-9 in London. Noam Chomsky will give the keynote address at the Rebellious Media Conference. Other confirmed speakers include documentary maker John Pilger ("The War You Don’t See"), blogger Laurie Penny, radical publisher and activist Michael Albert (ZNet) and journalist Johann Hari (The Independent). Organizers are currently drafting the conference program, which will comprise roughly fifty small workshops and eight larger sessions. Ticket are on a sliding scale (UK£15 – UK£75, about US$25-US$125) depending on income.

Website: http://rebelliousmediaconference.org/

"My Country" photo contest. Apply before Aug. 15!

The "My Country" photo contest encourages photographers worldwide to submit one or multiple photographs of a country of their choosing. There are three categories: people, landscapes and objects. Amateur and professional photographers can participate. The contest is open to all ages but participants under 18 must have parental consent. Photokore’s website supports image uploads in English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Visitors to photokore.com can also search for images in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Thai, Hindi, and English. Landing pages are also available in Arabic, Filipino, Hindi, Indonesian, Malaysian, Spanish, Thai, Russian and Vietnamese. First, second and third place winners will receive prizes and the first place winner will also be named Photokore’s next featured artist.

The deadline for entries is 15th of August 2011.

Website: http://www.imagingresource.com/NEWS/1309905786.html

Global Youth Summit 2011 in UK

Applications are accepted for the upcoming Global Youth Summit 2011, which will take place in the UK on 13-19 November, 2011. The call for applications is open for social entrepreneurs, community activists and volunteers aged 16-19 from around the world.

If you’re already a Changemaker who has taken part in one of our summits, you can apply for one of the positions as peer facilitator.

Please note that the application deadline is 24 July 2011!

Who can apply?
* Social entrepreneurs, community activists and volunteers aged 16-19 (on 13 November)
* Applicants must be able to make themselves available in the UK from 13-19 November
* They must not have taken part in any previous Global Changemakers summits
* They must be able to communicate comfortably in English

What is required?
* Applicants must submit the application form below, as well as a video (no longer than 2 minutes)

If I am selected, what are the costs involved?
* The following participant costs are covered by the British Council: travel, visa fee, accommodation and meals during the summit

What is the deadline?
* All applications (application form + video) must arrive by midnight on 24 July.

Click here for details and for the online application form.

5 Ways to Enjoy Your Study Abroad Experience Even If You're Homesick

For many of us, going abroad is a wonderful experience. In fact, the majority of study abroad students have a wonderful time living abroad, meeting new people, and studying in new academic settings. However, the majority of study abroad students also deal with varying degrees of homesickness.

The key to overcoming homesickness is to accept it as a part of living abroad and then to figure out ways to both treat it and also compartmentalize it. By this I mean that homesick students should learn to understand what homesickness truly is, which helps them better appreciate their own 'normal' life situation, and then they should use their homesickness as inspiration to make the most of their time abroad. Here are five ways homesick students can overcome homesickness in order to better enjoy their experience abroad.

Establish a Routine of Contact with Your Home

The most important way to overcome your homesickness is to discipline yourself when it comes to contacting your family and friends at home. If you call them every time you get homesick, then you're going to have an expensive habit and you'll also just exacerbate the problem. Homesickness is a result of being away from your comfort zone, so if you continue calling home, you'll never learn to be on your own. Regularly scheduled calls home can help you live week to week. If you can make it to the next phone call, you'll be okay.

Make a List of Goals Abroad

Homesickness also arises when students don't feel as though they have a purpose in being abroad, or they have lost focus as to why they went abroad in the first place. If you make a list of goals to accomplish while you're abroad, you'll have something to work towards, which will help keep your mind off of the reasons why you feel homesick.

Keep a Journal

You don't always want to repress you homesickness, however, so if you keep a journal, you can create a safe place to reflect upon your homesickness. Writing about your homesickness and your experience as a student abroad is important because it gives you an opportunity to grow as a person: you can examine your values, how you act on your own, what you miss about your comfort zone, and so on. This helps you prioritize what is most important to you later in life.

Socialize Regularly

Whatever you do, don't let yourself wallow in bed. Part of going abroad is socializing with other people, especially other people of different cultures. Make new friends. Get to know your host country's population. This will get you out and about, it will expose you to new things, and it will keep you from being too sad.

Earn Good Grades

Finally, throw yourself into your studies. Yes, you're abroad to meet people, have fun, and see new things, but you're also abroad to continue your education. Your grades are really important, so you should take advantage of this new academic environment to learn what it's like to be a true student in a new and foreign academic situation. If you regularly keep up with your students, then you'll have less of a chance of feeling homesick and sorry for yourself.

By-line:

This guest contribution was submitted by Lenore Holditch, who specializes in writing about top online colleges. Questions and comments can be sent to: holditch.lenore @ gmail.com. 

Please quote and link to Scholarships, Grants and Events Abroad if you are republishing the article.

Lessons of Liberty International Summer Camp in Bakuriani

The Lessons of Liberty International Summer Camp will take place on 15-21 August, 2011 in Bakuriani, Georgia. Topic of this year summer camp: Role of Entrepreneur in the Society.
 

Issues that will be covered:
- Planning a Strategy
- Business organization forms and Business Structures
- Organizational structures in business companies
- Leadership versus Management
- Risk/uncertainty assessment in the project
- Motivation and human resources in business
- Monitoring and controlling of business activities
- Budgeting of business activities
- Role of entrepreneur in Business process.
- Prognosis, inquiries and planning – trust or not.
- International standards.
- International economic agreements and its business influence.
- Marketing and innovation.
- Roles of COO and CFO

Venue: Bakuriani resort, hotel Trialeti.
Language: English

Conditions for participation:
- Candidate must sent CV and motivation letter to email: camp@nesgeorgia.org
- Participation fee: 150 Lari
- Deadline: July 30, 2011.
- Selected Participants from Georgia will be announced at: August 8
- Selected participants from other countries will be announced at: August 1
 

Organizers:
- New Economic School - Georgia

Supporters:
- International Society for Individual Liberty (USA)
- Kennards Self Storage (Australia)
- Friedrich Neumann Foundation (Germany)
- Liberty Bank (Georgia)
- Castel Sakartvelo (Georgia)
- Sairme (Georgia)
- Aversi Pharma (Georgia)

Confirmed lecturers:
1. Andy Eyschen, ISIL, USA
2. Kevin Bjornson, ISIL, USA
3. Frederik Cyrus Röder, Germany
4. Paata Sheshelidze, President, NES-G
5. Gia Jandieri, Vice-President, NES-G
6. Akaki Tsomaia, Associate Professor, Ilia University & member of the board NESG
7. Avigdor Jardeni, Senior Fellow, NES-G
8. George Chikovani, Project Coordinator, NES-G
9. George Chkhikvadze, research fellow, manager, NES-G

Contacts 

Phone: +995 322 990 046; Fax +995 322 204 321
Cell: +995 593 280 433 George Chkhikvadze, Summer Camp Director
Cell: +995 593 434 272 Giorgi Chikovani, coordinator

Rochus und Beatrice Mummert Foundation Master’s Scholarships

The Rochus und Beatrice Mummert Foundation sponsors High Potentials from Central and South Eastern Europe in the fields of economics, business administration, engineering, natural sciences or tourism management. The Program includes, amongst others, a scholarship for 2,5 years for a Master degree at the University of Cologne, the German Sport University Cologne or at the RWTH Aachen. The scholarships are offered within the Robert Bosch Stiftung. Within the programe a 4-5-month internship (usually in the summer semester of the 2nd academic year) a management education is included.

Requirements for a Mummert Scholarship:

• You come from: Bulgaria, Estonia, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic or Hungary.
• Bachelor’s degree (or in the final year of Bachelor studies) in economics, business administration, engineering, natural sciences or tourism management
• very good exam results (also in mathematics)
• very good German and English
• Management Potential
• distinctive personality / enthusiasm
• social responsibility
• willingness to return to home country after graduation

Scholarships

The promotion consists of:

Scholarships

- financial funds: 850 – 900 € per month
- research grant 228 € per semester
- travel allowance: 150 – 250 €
- laptop allowance: 700 €
- accident and health insurance
- award for graduation with honors: 500 €

Management Education

A comprehensive development program of excellent quality is provided:
- skill seminars
- 4-5 months internship in a German company
- educational journeys to Berlin and Brussels
- factory visits; cultural events
- projects

Comprehensive guidance

You can count on a reliable and personal guidance through
- a mentor in the Executive Board
- advisors (leaders from business, culture or university)
- universities + liaison professor
- elder scholarship holders + alumni

Networking

Application Procedure

The application takes place each year from 1 September to 1 November for courses starting in the winter semester of the following year.

Applications and further information:

Edith Wolf
E-Mail: mummertstipendium@bosch-stiftung.de
Phone: +49 (0) 711/460 84-976

Read more

International Youthcamp 2011

International Youthcamp2011 will take place on 12-14 August 2011, in Ballerup, Denmark. Active young people from all over the EU will meet to jointly develop ideas, debate democracy and establish networks across geographical borders. The activities at the Youthcamp will strengthen the young people in their work developing projects for and with young people in their local area, and engaging other young people in the democratic decision-making processes.

The camp consists of a series of workshops, where Danish and foreign presenters talk about e.g. inter alia, international political cooperation, project development and youth participation. The camp also offers social and cultural events, such as film, music, swimming, video art, song writing and much more. As a participant in the camp you will help to shape the camp and its contents.

Youthcamp Organizer Group consists of young people from Fingal in Ireland, Nacka in Sweden, Adalar in Turkey and Ballerup in Denmark.

The personal goals for the participants of the camp are to:

LEARN IT – share knowledge and experiences!
SHARE IT – create networks and relations!
DO IT – participate in social and cultural activities!

The underlying and bigger goal of the camp is to tell the world, the political leaders and the people around us that young people have dreams and ideas and want to express their opinions and to get their voices through to the political leaders. 

Eligibility  

Youthcamp2011 participants must be between the ages of 15 and 25 when the camp is held (12-14 August 2011). The Youthcamp is for young people, who have some experience with the democratic process through youth projects, youth councils or youth organizations.

Conditions for participation

Participants younger than 18 years must be accompanied by an adult or a leader over 18. The name of the leader must be provided on the registration form.

It is possible for several people from the same project, youth council, etc. to attend. If you attend as a group, the group’s other participants must be included on the registration form. If you attend as part of a group, it must be stated who is responsible for the group on the registration form.

Accommodation, food and activities

Youthcamp2011 provides accommodation, food and water for the participants free of charge. Activities described in the Youthcamp2011 programme are also free for the participants, but they must pay for OFFSITE activities requested which are not offered by Youthcamp2011.

Transport and travel costs

You are responsible for your own transport to and from Copenhagen Airport/Train Station, a mini-bus will be provided to collect you and transport you to the camp. Youthcamp2011 provides directions, timetables, etc. at www.youthcamp2011.eu, where you can also download the mini-site for mobile phones. The participants pay their own travel costs to and from Youthcamp2011. 

Registration  

Registration for Youthcamp2011 is available on the website at www.youthcamp2011.eu. Deadline - August 01, 2011.

For more information contact the Youthcamp secretariat at info@youthcamp2011.eu

The Best Choice For You: Studying Abroad in High School

When we hear the phrase "semester abroad" most of us think college. While it is most common to study abroad when you are an undergraduate, this is not the only time that students can make this adventure. There are several programs throughout the world geared specifically toward having students study abroad while they are high school students. Also these scholarships for single moms can help get your child through college. In many ways, studying abroad in high school may be a better option for some students and individuals. If you know that you are interested in traveling to another part of the world, studying another language, and going to school in a different learning system, do not limit yourself to only considering this option when you are in college. There are many aspects of studying abroad that lend themselves to doing so as a high school student rather than a college student.

Gaining Early Independence

Undoubtedly, studying abroad can be an enriching and enlightening experience for a student at any stage in their development. Among the many reasons to take a semester abroad as a high school student, one of the more prominent may be that students can gain a stronger sense of independence at a younger age. For many individuals, going away to college is the first opportunity an individual has to live a semi-independent lifestyle. A huge part of college life is adjusting to a living away from home, family, and friends. It is in this endeavor that many college students really struggle. With the tremendous pressure a college curriculum puts on a new student, homesickness can be one of the most detrimental aspects of college life. Travelling abroad while you are still in high school can allow you to gain further independence without having the tremendous pressures of a college curriculum. Furthermore, many study abroad programs geared towards high school students aim to provide a living situation that is more family oriented. Studying abroad before college can help prepare students for college without throwing them immediately into the swallows of colligate living and studying right off the bat.

Looks Great On College Applications

Studying abroad as a high school student can offer huge advantages come college application time. For admissions offices that receive hundreds to thousands of applicants each year, having something that makes a particular individual really stand out can make the decision that much easier. Many admissions officers will see a study abroad program on a high school student's application as a huge plus. Studying abroad as a high school student demonstrates your interest in learning from new experiences and learning about new cultures. Studying abroad as a high school student communicates a strong sense of self initiative and willpower. One of the most desirable traits a student could have is a willingness to push oneself and the capability of self motivation and self inspiration. Taking the initiative to study abroad at a younger age illustrates that you are willing and able to create the experience you want to achieve.

Teaches You about Yourself

Studying abroad at a younger age can also help you to realize some things about what kind of education you would like to pursue after high school. If you travel abroad as a high school student and find it difficult to be that far from your family and hometown, you may decide that you want to attend college closer to home. Furthermore, many other cultures offer a different educational style. You can use your abroad experience to learn what type of learning style suits you best. From there you can better pinpoint what type of higher learning institution fits your needs and wants most directly. In all, studying abroad as a high school student allows you to discover some important things about your learning style and living needs before you have to commit to four years of living and learning that way. 

Author Bio:

This guest post is contributed by Patricia Garza, who writes about gadget, technology, design, social media, e-learning related articles at online university rankings.

Planning for Your Studies Abroad: Apply for the Fulbright Scholarship

If you are looking for an enriching and independent experience abroad, consider applying for the Fulbright scholarship this year. This full scholarship, which is funded mostly the US government, allows you to explore your interests, through research, teaching, university studies, or all of the above. The objective of the program is to increase the exchange of ideas through research and collaboration abroad. The United States government awards about 8,000 grants (4,000 international students) a year, and American Fulbright scholars work or study in any one of the 152 countries which participate in the program.  Fulbright scholars from other countries must conduct their research/teach/study in the US. 

You can apply for various types of Fulbright scholarships, based on what you would like to do abroad. If you are interested in teaching and not an American citizen, you could apply for a grant to take part in the Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant Program (FLTA). This is for university students or recent graduates who would like to teach English abroad. If you are an American citizen, you could apply to teach English abroad through a similar program called: Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship. This can be a great experience for those wanting to get in touch with the culture and traditions of a different country. In order to succeed and enjoy either of these programs, you should possess a desire to work with kids, be patient, and be diligent in your work. Most importantly, you must have a curious mind and be ready for an adventure! You can check out both programs on the Fulbright Website

For those of you interested in studying or doing a research program abroad, Fulbright offers generous grants for students or recent graduates with a detailed plan of their study or research initiatives. The US government is willing to fund any research project which is well thought out and appropriately fulfills the objective of the scholarship program. Any student or graduate looking for funds must clear through a vigorous selection process before receiving the award. However, the program funds various projects in MANY different fields of study. You can look at past projects or research initiatives here. Start thinking of project or study ideas today!

If any of this sounds confusing, talk to a representative at your university scholarship office. Also feel free to email or contact Fulbright representatives in your home country for questions. Be ready and prepared to clear through a vigorous selection process. However, the ends and benefits you will receive will be incredible. Bon voyage!

About the author 

Alvina Lopez is a freelance writer and blog junkie, who blogs about accredited online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez @gmail.com.