Human resource development (HRD) and Sustainable development lie in a mutually co-constructive relationship. New and powerful conceptual and ethical frameworks can be developed to address the long standing tension in the field. As HRD grapples with sustainability there is a need to address its own developmental dilemmas, which may give rise to a more focused HRD; one

that is more aligned with the dilemmas of today's complex, global society1.

The theme has been chosen in line with this and issues surrounding excellence in HRD for sustainable development for nations, organizations and individuals are central to this conference.

Conference Information

The conference, which will be geared towards national and international

participants, will provide an intensive and interactive forum for learning

and sharing of new ideas and discussing important strategies to enable

organisations weather the negative effects of economic turbulences and

competition. Attending this conference will also allow participants to widen

their horizons in emerging issues in the field of HRD which are of paramount

value in maintaining productivity and innovation; and managing people

effectively especially in tough times. We intend to have renowned HR Experts

from prestigious institutions and successful businesses to unravel innovative

strategies during a 2-day conference in Mauritius.

Note 1: Quoted from: Scully-Russ (2012). Human resource development and sustainability: Beyond sustainable

organizations. Human Resource Development International, Vol 15/4, 399-414.

Call for papers International HRD Conference,

Mauritius, 17-18 October 2013

Excellence in HRD for Sustainable Growth

Key dates

*Acceptance of abstract: 30th April 2013

Streams for Submission

The Human Resource Development Council welcomes submissions from researchers and

practitioners in all fields and disciplines that focus on HRD and sustainability.

The conference organizers will welcome submissions pertaining but not limited to the following

streams.

Stream 1:

HRD and economic empowerment

The economic downturn and sustaining economic development are challenges for HRD. This

stream would welcome contribution in the fields of National HRD strategies, plans and policies,

the building of employability, the development of entrepreneurial capability through

entrepreneurial learning and fostering learning and development in SMEs.

Submission of abstract: 15th April 2013

Submission of full paper: 15th June 2013

Early Bird Registration closed: 30th May 2013

Final Registration:

30th August 2013

Key dates

Stream 2:

Human Capital development/The practice of HRD

This stream will be considering the HRD drivers for human capital development, the building

of intellectual capital, paying particular attention to talent development, the measurement or

evaluation of HRD initiatives, and future trends in HRD. HRD practitioners can contribute

to the conference by sharing challenges and solutions specially those linked to innovation and

creativity in learning and education. Cross-cultural talks, sharing perspectives, historical issues

and emerging approaches are encouraged. Contributions from any area of learning where HRD is

practiced and those who research practice in a collaborative way are invited.

Stream 3:

Technology in learning and development

This stream will look into the use of technology as a means to deliver HRD through innovative

practices and approaches to learning and development such as e-learning and social media. To

what extent can new technologies, research and development and modes of accessing learning

enable the challenges to HRD be met effectively and more efficiently?

Stream 4:

Leadership and management development

This theme focuses on understanding and identification of leadership and management

development and to support the development of leaders and HR practitioners. This may include

individual characteristics of leaders and managers such as beliefs, values and personality;

individual processes such as perception, motivation, decision making, judgement, commitment

and control; application and effectiveness of leadership styles and competencies.

Stream 5:

Creating people advantage through HRD

This stream focuses on strategic HRD, the development of learning organisations, and putting

learning on the strategic agenda of organisations. It also focuses on the need to manage

knowledge to create competitive advantage through continuous learning and innovation.

Stakeholders' roles and responsibilities to facilitate HRD, learning and development in the

organisation can be studied. The building of community of practice and social networks in

organizations will also be looked into.

Stream 6:

High Performance organisations

This stream will consider papers looking into the contribution of HRD to build high performance

organisations with particular emphasis on the link between HRD and high performance work

practices. This would imply the building of meaningful and decent work through effective job

and work design. The stream also pertains to performance management at all levels of the

organization including the relationship between HRD strategies and performance improvement,

towards enhancing employee engagement.

Types of Submissions

Scholars, practitioners, consultants, and policy-makers interested in HRD and Sustainability are invited to submit manuscripts & proposals relevant to the streams: Abstracts should stress and sum up the paper’s importance, theoretical base, research purpose, research question, implications for practice, and conclusions.

All abstract submissions should be in English or French (No translation facility will be available), and can take one of the following formats:

Each abstract submission should be in Word document and 12pt Arial font and have a separate front sheet containing the following information:

Refereed papers (6000 words max)

Practitioner papers (3000 words max)

Poster sessions (1000 words max)

Abstract for acceptance (1000-1500 words)

Abstract for acceptance (300-500 words)

Abstract for acceptance (200-300 words)

Title Name of author(s) Organisation affiliation/position(s) Address Email address Stream Submission type

Only two papers presentation allowed per author. Authors’ contribution in all streams is accepted in more than two papers. The paper submissions should be made to one or more of the following categories, and all submissions (as per conference template) will be subjected to double-blind peer review process:

Refereed Papers

(6000 words max)

•Should be submitted as a full publishable manuscript with empirical findings, or conceptual/qualitative research articles. After acceptance, the full refereed papers should be formatted properly with no more than 6,000 words, excluding references. All papers should consider implications for HRD practice. All accepted papers will be published in the refereed conference Proceedings.

Practitioner Papers

(3000 words max)

•These papers typically integrate theory, research, and practical experience. Papers foster critical discourse and active collaboration among HRD professionals, and provide innovative ideas for HRD practice. Please submit your paper in no more than 3,000 words.

Poster Papers

(1000 words max)

•Interactive poster session will be a dynamic forum among presenters, a facilitator, and the audience, intended to encourage discussion and sharing of multiple perspectives. Manuscripts, including the poster miniatures, are required for submission. Posters will be posted during the conference and a session will be scheduled to allow interaction between the author(s) and conference participants.(1000 words)

Registration fees

INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANT:

400 US$* - Early Bird

450 US$* - Per international participant (for those who will present a paper)

500 US$* - Per international participant (only participating)

550 US$* - Late registration

LOCAL PARTICIPANT:

MUR 4,000* - Early Bird

MUR 5,000* - Per local participant (for those who will present a paper)

MUR 10,000* - Per local participant (only participating)

* Please note that participation fees do not include accommodation and travel expenses.

REGISTRATION CANCELLATION TERMS:

- On or up to 30th August 2013: 80% refunded

- After the 30th August 2013: No refund