Papers/Abstracts Submissions and Invited Sessions Proposals: March 31st, 2010
Authors Notifications: May 5th, 2010
Camera-ready, full papers: May 26th, 2010
=======================================================
Submissions for Face-to-Face or for Virtual Participation are both accepted.
Both kinds of submissions will have the same reviewing process and the
accepted papers will be included in the same proceedings.

Pre-Conference and Post-conference Virtual sessions (via electronic forums)
will be held for each session included in the conference program, so that
sessions papers can be read before the conference, and authors presenting at
the same session can interact during one week before and after the
conference. Authors can also participate in peer-to-peer reviewing in
virtual sessions.

All Submitted papers/abstracts will go through three reviewing processes:
(1) double-blind (at least three reviewers), (2) non-blind, and (3)
participative peer reviews. These three kinds of review will support the
selection process of those papers/abstracts that will be accepted for their
presentation at the conference, as well as those to be selected for their
publication in JSCI Journal.

Authors of accepted papers who registered in the conference can have access
to the evaluations and possible feedback provided by the reviewers who
recommended the acceptance of their papers/abstracts, so they can
accordingly improve the final version of their papers. Non-registered
authors will not have access to the reviews of their respective submissions.

Registration fees of an effective invited session organizer will be waived
according to the policy described in the web page  (click on ‘Invited
Session’, then on ‘Benefits for the Organizers of Invited Sessions’), where
you can get information about the ten benefits for an invited session
organizer. For Invited Sessions Proposals, please visit the conference web
site, or directly to http://www.sysconfer.org/pista/organizer.asp

Authors of the best 10%-20% of the papers presented at the conference
(included those virtually presented) will be invited to adapt their papers
for their publication in the Journal of Systemics, Cybernetics and
Informatics.

Best regards,
PISTA 2010 Organizing Committees

ESSE is under construction and will be structured in about 200 items/entries. Among the key items. system complexity, differentiation, environment, communication,self organization, self reference, structural coupling,constructivism and items referred to key scholars such as  Luhmann, von Foerster, von Glasersfeld etc. Contributors are fee to submit items they consider pivotal to understand System Sciences. deadline to submit the  fully written proposed  item(s) is postponed to May 31st 2010

Each entry/item would be of about 2500 words, exceptional 5000 word items will be accepted for very key concepts (”system” ,for example). You can choose one or more entries (up to 5 per author) among those listed below and /or choose some from the list and propose other (total 5 entries, anyway).
All my best
Andrea Pitasi

ENTRY/ ITEM STARTING LIST:
Action, communicative
Action, social
Action system
Action theory
Algorythm(evolutionary)
Alter/ego
Alternative
Asymmetry
Attribution (Heider)
Authority
Autologic
Automation
Automaton
Autonomous(Autonomy)
Autopoiesis

Binary code
Black box
Blind spot (Maturana)

Causality
Centrum/periphery
Chaos
Code
Cognition
Communication
Complexity
Complexity gradient
Complexity reduction
Computer
Conflict
Constructivism
Crossing, law of (Spencer Brown)
Coupling (loose & tight) (Heider)
Coupling, structural
Cybernetics(Cybernetics, second order)
Damage
Danger/risk
Data
Decision
Decision-making
Deconstruction
Deflation
Destructive interaction (Maturana)
Determinacy, structural
Diabolic/symbolic
Difference
Differentiation
Distinction
Double contingency
Double negation
Draw a distinction (Spencer Brown)

Economy
Education
Ego/Alter
Eigenwert (Hilbert, von Foerster, Luhmann)
Element
Emergence level
Enactment (Varela)
Enlightment (sociological)
Entropy/negentropy
Environment
Epistemology
Event
Evolution
Evolutionary achievement
Exclusion/inclusion
Expectation
Experience/action

Family
Feedback (negative & positive) (Wiener, Maruyama)
Heinz von Foerster
Form, Laws of (Spencer Brown)
Formal/informal
Function
Functional differentiation
Functional equivalent
Functionalism
Functional method
Future
Fuzzy logic

Gaia
Game theory
Garbage-can (James March)
Generalization
Ernst von Glasesfeld
Globalization

Harm
Hierarchie/heterarchie
High Speed Riconfigurational System (HSRS)
Holistic
Horizon
Humanism
Hypercomplexity

Identity/difference
Improbability (of communication)
Inclusion/exclusion
Incompleteness
Indeterminacy
Indication (Spencer Brown)
Individual
Inflation/deflation
Information
Input/output
Inside/outside
Integration
Interaction
Interdependence
Interest
Interpenetration
Intersubjective
Irrationality
Irritation

Knowledge

Language
Ervin Laszlo
Latency
Leader
Leadership
Learning
Legal
Legislation
Legitimacy
Legitimate
Limit
Loose coupling
Love
Luhmann, Niklas

Map/territory
Marked/unmarked space
Massmedia
Meaning
Meaning, dimensions of
Mechanisms, reflexive
Mechanisms, symbiotic
Media, symbolic generalized communications
Medical system
Medium/form (Heider)
Membership
Memory
Method
Modernity
Money
Moral
Motivation

National society(National state)
Negation
Negation, double
Negation, reflexive
Noise
Norm
Normann, Richard
Normative

Object
Objectual dimension of meaning
Observation
Observation, second order
Observer
Ontology
Open systems’ theory
Operation
Optimization
Oral communication
Order, social
Order from noise
Organization
Organization theory
Output/input
Outside/inside

Paradigm
Paradigm change
Paradox
Parasite (Serres)
Passion, love as
Past
Payment/no payment
Peasant society
Perception
Performance
Periphery
Person
Personality
Perspective
Perturbation
Phenomenon
Phenomenology
Political system
Politics
Possibility
Postmodernism
Power
Predictability
Preference
Premise
Prerequisite
Present
Price
Primacy
Probability
Process/structure
Production
Property
Psychic system

Question

Random
Rational
Rationality
Reality
Recursion
Recursive
Reduction
Redundancy
Re-entry
Reflexion
Refusal
Regional society
Rejection
Relationship
Religion
Research
Resonance
Responsible
Restriction
Risk/danger(SEE ABOVE)
Role
Rule

Scarcity
Schema
Science
Scientific system
Selection
Selective
Selectivity
Self
Self-description
Self-esteem
Self-organization
Self-production
Self-reference/hetero-reference
Self-reflexion
Social dimension of meaning
Social system
Society
Status
Steady state
Strategy
Stratification
Stratified society
Structural coupling
Structural determinism
Structural drift (Maturana)
Structure/process
Subsystem
Symbiotic mechanism
Symbol
System
System/environment

Tautology
Technology
Temporal dimension of meaning
Territory/map
Thankfulness
Theory
Thought
Tight/loose coupling
Time
Trigger
True
Trust

Unbalance
Uncertainty
Underdevelopment
Understanding
Unexpected
Unforeseeable
Unpredictable
Utterance

Value
Variable
Variety
Verbal
Verbalize
Violence
Virtual

World
World society
Writing

by sending  it/them to the ESSE Editor Andrea Pitasi andrea.pitasi@gmail.com as Word attachments.
ESSE will appear for the SYSTEM THERY AND COMPLEXITY BOOK SERIES  ( Aracne Publishing, Rome) in collaboration with the World Complexity Science Academy (WCSA) a newborn organization already featured by a prestigious, international  Honoray Board:

Gabriel Altmann, Universitaet Bochum, Germany
Dario Rodriguez Mansilla Universidad Catolica  de Santiago , Chile
Felix Ortega, Universidad de Salamanca , Spain
Loet Leydesdorff, Universitaet van Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Giovanbattista Cavazzuti, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia,Italy
Albert Laszlo Barabasi, Notre Dame University, USA
Lucio d’ Alessandro,  Suro Orsola Benincasa University, Naples, Italy
Sebastiano Bagnara, Sassari-Alghero University, Italy

Further Info  will follow  in  a second announcement and /or can be required by email to the ESSE EDITORS.

On a cold and rainy Friday night in East Los Angeles, local civic leaders gathered under a covered tent at Pan American Bank headquarters to honor a Montebello High School teacher’s effort’s to increase the Latino graduation rate through a pioneering Web site. Armando Sanchez founded the Latino Scholastic Achievement Corporation (LSAC) in 1992 as a means to deliver vital college application and enrichment services to his students and others in the local community. Read more…

Clean Edge’s new clean-tech jobs map highlights the regional and sector diversity of the transition to a clean-tech economy. The map is the latest addition to Clean Edge Jobs (jobs.cleanedge.com) – a leading online jobs board for clean-tech job seekers, employers, and recruiters.

Clean-tech job seekers now have the ability to search a map for current openings at leading clean-tech companies like GE Energy, SunPower, Calera, Ecos, and Nexant. Users can search the map manually or by using geographic terms in addition to filtering by industry, position type, and position level. In addition, registered employers and recruiters can search through and view thousands of clean-tech candidates from around the world.

Jobs
Join our Networks:

Clean Edge Jobs is the premier source for clean-tech job seekers, employers, and recruiters. Search current openings among the job categories listed below.

Agriculture/Farm/ Organics

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Transportation/Vehicles

Wind

Featured Company

SunPower Corporation

SunPower is a leading crystalline solar PV manufacturer based in San Jose, California and produces one of the most efficient solar cells commercially available. SunPower has expanded rapidly into Europe and Asia including the recent acquisition of SunRay, a leading European solar plant developer.

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Click here to see more clean-tech job openings.

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The survey will take no longer than 10 minutes. All people that are currently employed in clean tech or are looking to get a clean-tech job should take this survey. Once the survey is completed, you will automatically see a salary comparison report for your current or targeted position.

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2/16 Obama Administration Announces $130 Million for Building Efficiency Research Center

The Obama Administration has announced a multi-agency initiative to spur regional economic growth while making buildings more energy efficient. Seven federal agencies recently issued a combined Funding Opportunity Announcement of up to $129.7 million over five years to create a regional research center that will develop new building efficiency technologies and work with local partners to implement the technologies in area buildings.
Clean Edge News

2/15 Vestas to Lay Off 114 in North America
Vestas Americas on Thursday cut 114 positions, or 6 percent of its North American work force, due to sluggish demand for wind energy projects.
Portland Business Journal

2/10 Industry Executives Tout Job Creation Potential, Urge Congress to Support Renewable Energy
Top executives in the renewable energy sector recently gathered to applaud 2009’s strong renewable energy development but emphasized the need for Congress to swiftly enact key policies to continue accelerated growth across the entire sector in order to add jobs and boost economic growth in 2010.
Clean Edge News

2/5 Federal RES Could Double U.S. Clean-Energy Jobs: Report
The number of clean-energy jobs in the U.S. would more than double by 2025 if the nation adopts a plan to get 25% of its electricity from renewable energy sources, says a report backed by energy firms.
USA Today

2/5 Dow Chemical Eyes Michigan for Solar Shingle Facility
The Dow Chemical Company recently announced that Midland, Michigan has been identified as the preferred site for the first full-scale production facility for its DOW POWERHOUSE Solar Shingle, subject to finalizing local, state and federal funding.
Clean Edge News

1/25 EnerDel to Invest $237 Million in Indiana Battery Plant
Lithium-ion battery manufacturer EnerDel recently announced it will invest $237 million in a new manufacturing plant near its Indianapolis headquarters in order to meet anticipated demand for advanced battery systems used in both automotive and stationary smart grid applications

Many NGOs and development practitioners will need to increase the impact of their projects if they are to work successfully with community members in promoting sustainable development. In an effort to make our impact training courses accessible to a larger international audience, we have launched an Online Learning program. Key courses on project impact, design, and funding are now available inexpensively online.

Development staff from 31 countries are using our courses to develop new, community-centered, sustainable development projects.

A module of two courses is being offered online in January, 2010:

OL 2.1. From the Ground Up: Designing Community-Centered Projects with Sustainable Solutions
March 2 – May 3, 2010: 8 Weeks

From the Ground Up will give you an insight into contemporary methods of developing community-centered, impact-oriented projects. You will leave the course with practical field tools and develop a range of skills: needs assessments, project design, community workshops, and discovering evidence-based activities. The course is designed to be used as a vehicle for you to develop a real project, in real time, during the course.

OL 2.2. Project Architecture: Planning for Impact
May 18 – June 28, 2010: 6 Weeks

This course will take the project concept developed in OL 2.1 and transform it with a powerful set of management tools into a project for presenting to donors. Logframes, detailed budgets, schedules and compelling fact sheets: these tools will communicate to donors, staff, and stakeholders exactly what you are going to accomplish, and lead the effective management of the project once funded.

To learn more about the courses please visit:
http://www.csd-i.org/online-learning/.

If you have questions about the Online Learning program, please contact:
Online.Learning@csd-i.org .

The Center for Long-Term Supports Innovation (CLTSI) is part of NCB Capital Impact’s Community Solutions Group (CSG). The mission of CLTSI is to “help older Americans and people with disabilities conduct their lives with maximum independence, dignity, and connection with their communities.” CLSTI works with community organizations, federal, state and local governments and health care providers to identify or expand innovative concepts to meet our nation’s growing long term supports (LTS) demand. The Long Term Supports Senior Policy Analyst will (a) provide research and expert technical assistance to our growing base of foundation, state, trade association, and local clients, and daily project management to fulfill CSG’s responsibilities within current and new contracts; (b) conduct business development to expand Center’s research and consulting services in the areas of long term care policy, health care policy, home and community based services and innovative public health policy to support aging in place; (c) assist the team in the implementation of CLTSI’s business plan; and (d) support CLTSI in reporting and general administration to meet internal organization process requirements. This position will also be responsible for assisting NCB Capital Impact in expanding into new areas of long-term care to create solutions to address unmet needs.

Project Work – This individual will be responsible for developing and managing client relationships with minimal support. This individual will be responsible for daily project management responsibilities including managing multiple projects, developing detailed work plans, developing and monitoring project budgets, managing project teams of up to five to six individuals working on an array of client deliverables, and serving as the final reviewer for materials before they transmitted. This position will manage and contribute substantively to the completion of requirements for grants and contracts. Serve as the liaison between CSG and the client, subcontractors to the project, and other interested parties (e.g., stakeholders, media). Facilitate meetings and communication; conduct applied research and policy analysis; delegate and accept responsibilities for work product; ensure the successful and timely completion of deliverables; implement tasks required under the contracts; maintain a highly organized file system of all related materials. In-depth expertise is needed for the delivery of technical assistance/consulting services and content expertise in long-term care service delivery, design and financing. Strong customer service and writing skills are critical.  50%

Business Development – This individual will work with the CLTSI team to create an annual business development plan to identify opportunities in key markets. As part of this work, this individual will be responsible for generating new contracts and expansion into areas of innovative long-term services and supports, public long term health care policy and home and community based services. This will include the developing proposals, marketing CLTSI as an industry thought leader and meeting with potential clients to seek additional work. This individual will work jointly with the Senior Policy Advisor to help CSG increase the number of contracts in which it provides technical assistance for both “placed-based” and community based long term supports and services innovations. Placed based initiatives may include models of affordable assisted living, adult foster care and solutions to integrate long term supports with affordable housing or community health care centers. This task will also include marketing the Center as an industry leader which will include presentation at key conferences and liaison with NCB Capital Impact marketing/communication staff for outreach opportunities. Strong skills in thought leadership, presentation skills and ability to travel required. 30%

CLTSI Sector Business Plan – This individual will be the key lead on the CLTSI team for the development, implementation and evaluation of outcomes in the area of long term care policy for the CLTSI sector’s annual business plan. An understanding of the federal, state and local long-term care landscape are key to helping the team to develop and/or identify innovations in long-term supports that should be built into CLTSI’s business plan. This individual will also be responsible for supporting the development of regular sector reports including Social Impact Measurement, board and organization reports, and project reports for grants and contracts. Experience with strategic planning and budgeting desirable. 20%

Ten or more years of direct or related experience in successful public policy and programs related to housing and services for seniors. Excellent understanding of public policy as it relates to long-term supports, health care policy, home and community based services delivery systems, including relevant government subsidy programs such as Medicaid, service programs, licensing, and regulations. Must have demonstrated experience as a practitioner with business development acumen and have the ability to take research to practical application.

Basic understanding of real estate development and operations of community based long term care programs a plus.
Masters Degree or comparable professional advanced degree in public policy, government, geriatrics, health care, housing, planning, or law.

Abilities:
Strong successful record of work in public policy
Exceptional analytical skills specifically in policy analysis
Expert knowledge of reimbursement systems and modeling
Innovative thinker to develop creative solutions to difficult issues
Demonstrated capacity to multi-task
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Quick learner
Strong commitment to NCB Capital Impact’s mission
Proficiency in Word, Excel, Power Point, contact management database, email provider, internet search engines
Willingness to do what it takes to accomplish tasks (long hours, significant travel time, administrative tasks, learning new areas, dealing with difficult clients and partners, etc.)
Ability to travel at least 20-25% of the time
Strong presentation and public speaking skills a plus

Company Summary: Opportunity Finance Network is a national financial institution serving a national network of community development financial institutions (CDFIs). We are the leading voice for the CDFI industry, a 30 billion industry of private-sector financial institutions dedicated to creating opportunities for low-income and low-wealth people and communities.  Opportunity Finance Network delivers financing, knowledge sharing, policy, branding, and other services for CDFIs. Our mission is to lead the community development finance system to scale through capital aggregation, policy, and capacity building.

For more information, visit www.opportunityfinance.net.

Position Summary and Essential Functions:
Highly collaborative individual will manage Public Relations and other Communications initiatives to achieve the strategic goals of OFN. Will work with senior staff, outside partners, and PR agencies to develop Public Relations communications strategies, scope and manage budgets, draft press material, secure approvals from OFN and partners, build media relationships, and schedule journalist interviews as needed. The individual hired for this position will demonstrate outstanding written and verbal English communication skills. They will also be responsible for a variety of corporate communications, including copywriting, editing, and proofing the company newsletter, Member Profiles, Web site copy, and promotional e-mails. Additional project work includes providing support for annual conference, industry awards program, and other efforts as assigned. Reports to and takes direction from Executive Vice President, Strategic Communications regarding all aspects of branding, marketing, and strategic communications.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
1.       Collaborates with EVP to develop effective communication strategies for high profile communications.
2.       Copywriting, editing, and proofreading duties.
3.       Anticipates, designs, manages, and implements multiple project plans/timelines to meet communication needs.
4.       Liaises with communications staff of outside partners and public relations firms.
5.       Maintains up-to-date knowledge and expertise on emerging social and media methodologies and strategies. Incorporates these new approaches into OFN communication plans.
6.       Assists with other OFN activities as requested by the Manager.

Education and Experience:
1.       Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism or a related field; Master’s degree a plus.
2.       5 or more years work experience. Experience in public relations required.
3.       Professional experience in financial services or community development finance a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Physical Requirements:
1.       Knowledge of marketing and communication practices and applications as well as familiarity with current online social media sources (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, blogging, other emerging technologies, etc.).
2.       Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, and the ability to effectively interact with a diverse range of people in a manner that positively portrays OFN.
3.       Superior proven project management skills; excellent presentation skills; ability to convey complex information in a clear manner to a diverse audience.
4.       Superior writing and editing skills, including high attention to detail.
5.       Ability to prioritize and develop an effective work plan to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
6.       Understanding of and commitment to opportunity finance required.
7.       Ability to work independently or in team environment is required.
8.       Ability to manage multiple tasks under minimal supervision in effective and efficient manner required.
9.       Limited travel required.
10.   Proficiency with MS Office Excel, Windows, PowerPoint; proficiency with MS Office Access a plus.
11.   No extraordinary physical requirements beyond ability to travel.
12.   Job involves normal physical requirements for an office position.

Salary Commensurate with Experience

EOE/ADA/Women and Minorities encouraged to apply.

To Apply:  Send letter of interest, salary requirement and resume to:
Search: Strategic Communications
Opportunity Finance Network
620 Chestnut Street
Suite 572
Philadelphia, PA 19106
FAX: 215-320-4357
Email: resume_hr@opportunityfinance.net

The Program’s mission is to engage students in the academic discourse and real-world practice of sustainable development. With emphases in sustainable agriculture, development studies, and environmental studies, our BS and BA degrees are among the first in the nation to promote the interdisciplinary understanding of sustainable development through an integrated curriculum that includes rigorous academic study and hands-on community engagement. Our students’ practical experiences at the Program’s teaching and research farm, with community stakeholders in the Appalachian region, and in international programs are central to the Program’s outreach and its commitment to the combined study of both theory and praxis. Our faculty share a strong transdisciplinary dedication to sustainable development, and our graduates are prepared to work in leadership positions toward a just and sustainable future. Several endowments support our work. We are a newly-established program with more than 130 majors and the possibility of a future graduate program. For more information, see our website at http://susdev.appstate.edu/.

Appalachian State University, located in the southern Appalachian Mountains, is a highly ranked comprehensive university and a member institution of the 16 campus University of North Carolina system. With more than 16,000 students, Appalachian State strives to maintain its reputation for excellence in teaching while continuing to enhance its research reputation.

Applicants should submit a letter of interest, which includes a statement of your understanding of sustainable development, curriculum vitae, and the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of five references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled. Applicants may contact Dr. Cynthia Wood at 828-262-6492 or woodca@appstate.edu. Please submit applications electronically (pdf only) to sdsearch@appstate.edu or by mail to:

Dr. Cynthia Wood, Search Committee Chair
SD Director Search
Appalachian State University
c/o Academic Affairs
ASU Box 32006
Boone, NC 28608

Appalachian State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The University has a strong commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusion and to maintaining working and learning environments that are free of all forms of discrimination. Individuals with disabilities may request accommodations in the application process by contacting Dr. Cynthia Wood. Documentation of identity and employability of the applicant will be required before the hiring process can be finalized.

This year we’re very pleased to be launching our Online Solar Trainings. Early feedback from industry insiders and students alike indicates that our Online Solar Trainings are the best online solar courses available. We worked with our online e-learning partner, Sify Technologies, during most of 2009 to complete a course that is technically superior, easy to navigate, and fun to use. Read more…

15th International conference in the “Towards Sustainable Product Design” series

Organised by:
The Centre for Sustainable Design
University for the Creative Arts
Strategic partner:
Enviu

Background

The world will see major changes resulting from the greening of economic stimulus packages that will create new investments, businesses, products, technologies and jobs. Korea and China are leading the way and have already been spending money. However, the majority of money is predicted to start being distributed in 2010. In parallel, both Korea and Japan have announced their aim to each create one million green jobs resulting from their investments. Behind the scenes, the United Nations and the World Economic Forum are contributing to the development of thinking and learning through their Green Economy projects. This coupled with growing media interest associated with the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in Copenhagen in December 2009 will ensure that awareness of both threats and opportunities of climate change will be high profile. A key underlying theme being how global society moves towards a model of low carbon prosperity. Read more…