Cornerstones for sustainable development

The draft agenda is now available for the third European symposium on 'Regions-cornerstones for sustainable development', which is scheduled to be held on 18 and 19 December 2000 at the Centre des Congrès Le Vinci de Tours in France.

The event will draw from the results of previous symposia, bringing researchers together with key actors of regional development. A special focus will be put on:

- the specificity of the regional level in relation to sustainable development issues;

- the need for cooperation among research fields and disciplines, as well as between researchers and the actors in regional development.

The symposium will build upon:

- research results and current projects, in particular those pursued under the European Commission's Fourth and Fifth RTD Framework programme;

- the state of the art of practices and practitioners needs: conditions, knowledge and methods needed at the regional level to implement the objective of sustainable development;

- results from pilot projects: in particular those undertaken to promote sustainable development through the Community structural funds and in the Coastal areas.

The following sessions are planned:

- key issues of sustainable development;
- the precautionary principle and sustainable regional development: the example of natural risks;
- needs for social and interinstitutional innovation in relation to spatial planning;
- territorial entities and sustainable development: the role of the regional level;
- measuring sustainable regional development;
- research for sustainable regional development
For further information, please contact Nicole Rigault or Sylvie Sentise at:

Maison des Science de l'Homme
Villes et Territoires
4 allées du plesis
37000 Tours
France