Workshop "Shaping Innovation Policy for the European Union"

Chair/Moderation: Boris Cizelj, European Regional Economic Forum (EREF)

Panelists:

Ms Valentina Secan, City of Karlovac (HR)
Mr Peter Riedler, AVL List (AT)
Mr Rafal Modrzewski, RAPIDE (PL)
Mr Daniel Magyar, Pannon Novum West Pannon Regional Innovation Agency (HU)
Mr Gabriele Gatti, AREA Science Park (IT)

Aim of the debate:
The aim of this debate is to generate policy proposals for the innovation strategies of the regions of the European Union and to communicate these to the EU-institutions and national policy makers.

Description:
The issue of innovation has gained prominence on the agenda of the European Union, since the economic crises poses severe problems to the future prosperity of our economy. There is no doubt that innovative companies will survive the financial/economic crisis. One of the main questions will be how to ensure a climate for innovation, enabling co-operation between the public and the private sector, to guarantee a creative management of diversity. The organisers of the debate, Steiermark (AT), Kujawsko-Pomorskie (PL), Croatian Regions (HR), Friulia Venezia Giulia (IT) and West Pannonia (HU), will therefore provide insights into strategies to cope with the crisis.
These decisive issues will be addressed from innovation experts in the business sector, researchers in the field as well as regional policy makers. A representative from EREF, who will outline how innovation approaches can be implemented in the course of the Lisbon Agenda, will moderate the event.
With this approach, a wide range of innovation experts, researchers as well as regional and European policy makers, will be addressed and an interesting discussion with the audience is expected.