Taking responsibility : CCN conference proceedings Bratislava 2005

Abstract

English: Defining criteria for responsible action in the marketplace was the central theme of the second international conference of the Consumer Citizenship Network which was held May 26-27, 2005 at the University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia. 147 participants from 35 countries attended. The participants examined how mature civic involvement can affect the development of a more just and caring global society. They also discussed and exchanged experiences about how "taking responsibility" can be taught in higher education particularly in relation to consumer citizenship education. The conference dealt with: how taking responsibility contributes to dignity and self-worth, how the responsibilities of the individual, particularly in his/her role as a consumer, can be identified, how the responsibilities of the individual differ from those of business and governments, how the individual fulfils his/her responsibilities, how one learns to be responsible, how the spirit of selfless community service can be developed in children and youth, how being responsible can be enjoyable. 50 papers were presented at the conference describing research and development work about topics such as: Peer pressure and self-image; Acquiring a knowledge of consumer rights; Risk perception and labelling; ICT as tools for citizenship; Agenda 21 and consumer citizenship; Corporate and consumer social responsibility; Health and illness alienation; Teaching responsibility.