Research, technology, innovation: Its role in economic development

A conference entitled "Research, technology, innovation: Its role in economic development" will take place in Cardiff, United Kingdom, on 28 and 29 April 1998. It is organized by the Welsh university and higher education sector, in partnership with the Wales European Centre in Brussels, with support from the European Commission and the Welsh Development Agency.

The aim of the conference is to explore the impact of regional partnerships on RTD strategies, integrated strategies, the setting and attainment of long-term economic goals, and economic development. It will provide an opportunity for dialogue and bench-marking, especially for regional policy-makers, people from the enterprise sector, universities and other training providers.

Plenary sessions will cover the following topics:

- Towards a knowledge-based society: the role of the Fifth Framework Programme;
- EU policies for innovation in the regions;
- A new vision for the universities;
- The UK perspective and policies;
- Regional partnerships and RTD and innovation: the Welsh context;
- Regional policy: A view from another EU region;
- The industrial perspective on regional resources in RTD and innovation.

In addition, a number of workshops will look in detail at specific topics, with a focus on the role of universities and local actors.
For further information, please contact:

University of Wales Aberystwyth
Hugh Jones
E-mail: mvj@aber.ac.uk

or

Wales European Centre
Morwenna Jones
17/19 rue Montoyer
B-1000 Brussels
Tel. +32-2-5025909; Fax +32-2-5028360
E-mail: morwenna.jones@wda.co.uk