Managing Regional Development

Call for Papers
"Managing Regional Development"

In the framework of the OPEN DAYS - a joint initiative of the Committee of the Regions and the European Commission's Regional Policy DG
Brussels, 27 - 30 September 2004

Context

2004 is a crucial year for the future of the Union's cohesion policy after 2006. Structural Funds and instruments will be of great importance for the new Member States and regions in the EU of 25. The Commission's 3rd Cohesion report published in February 2004 outlined a new partnership on cohesion policy for the period between 2007 and 2013. Convergence, competitiveness and cooperation will be at the heart of future regional development in the years to come.

In order to address these issues and based on a joint initiative of the Committee of the Regions and the European Commission's Regional Policy DG, over 70 regional representation offices in Brussels will take part in the OPEN DAYS event between 27 to 30 September 2004. The event is meant to be a forum of exchange between national, regional and EU players and institutions on regional policy management, best practices and the future of cohesion policy.

By this call for papers, the Regional Policy DG looks for about 60 speakers and contributions for a programme of about 30 workshops, which will accompany the OPEN DAYS. The contributions should come from practitioners in the field of regional development and management of Structural Funds and instruments. They should seek to present best practices in the regions, especially for officials from the new Member States. Due to limited resources, the presentations should be held in English only.

More information about the OPEN DAYS

Speakers and workshops

Interested speakers should send their proposals for contributions to the Regional Policy DG by filling in the form below before 17 May 2004. There will be 2 presentations for each workshop of about 1.5 hours. Each presentation should not be longer than 20 min, so that half of the workshop time can be saved for discussion. Presentations should be given in EN only.

Each workshop will have chairperson who will open (5 min) and close the workshop introducing the topic and the speakers, and then facilitating the discussion. Invited speakers will be paid their accommodation and travel and costs.

The proposals for contributions should reflect on one of the following topics:
•  Programme management and project selection
•  Cohesion fund management
•  Cooperation between regions
•  Urban development
•  Specific development issues (e.g. infrastructure, innovation, RTD, SME)
•  Management of regional partnerships
•  Programme monitoring and evaluation
•  Financial management and control
•  Strengthening administrative capacity
•  Managing information and transparency
The final selection of papers and the programme will be based on the DG's and external expertise, broadest geographical division and taking into account the proposals made by the participating regional offices. Papers, presentations and other material will be made available at the DG's website so that it can be used by a wider public.

Contact

Thierry DAMAN
European Commission
Regional Policy DG
200, rue de la Loi
B-1049 Brussels