Regional and local development strategies

The fourth international conference on strategies for regional and local development through innovation and seed capital will be held in Bergen, Norway, on 28 and 29 September 1998. Professor Jorma Routti, Director General of the European Commission's DG XII, will be among the keynote speakers at the conference, along with representatives from the OECD, the Norwegian government, venture capital companies and industry.

The focus of the conference will be on information and telecommunications technologies, biotechnologies and seed capital. Discussions will address issues such as fostering innovation in Europe, the role of education and research and technologically innovative SMEs.

Specific topics will include the following:

- Cultural obstacles to innovation in Europe;
- Creativity and innovation - the role of the science system;
- Intellectual capital - the future;
- Driving forces in a creative society;
- Innovation based regional development in Europe;
- Innovation systems in urban areas;
- FUND - assistance to small innovative enterprises.
For further information, please contact:

Høyteknologisenteret i Bergen (HIB)
Conference Secretariat
Mrs. Inger Marie Hetlevik
Thormøhlensgate 55
N-5008 Bergen
Tel. +47-55543705; Fax: +47-55318030
E-mail: strategikonferansen@hibinc.no