Event Details

4th IRE Plenary Conference

Ljubljana, SI

7 June 2005

8 June 2005

The 4th IRE Plenary Conference is one of the most important European events for regional innovation and the largest event of the IRE network. It is organised by the European Commission in collaboration with the IRE Secretariat, and will be hosted by the City of Ljubljana.

Participants will get first-hand information on the latest European policy developments and actions in the field of regional innovation, and will be able to meet representatives from all the IRE network’s member regions.

The conference will feature prominent Commission speakers, who will present the future of regional innovation policy in the EU, regional innovation in the context of future cohesion policy, regional aspects of European research policy, and the IRE network’s role in the future of innovation policy.

Parallel sessions will address issues such as regional innovation financing, PAXIS – The Pilot Action of Excellence on Innovative Start-ups – and the ‘Regions of Knowledge’initiative. The new IRE projects will be presented, as will the IRE subgroups. Participants will be able to request pre-arranged bilateral meetings with other IRE network members, European Commission staff and the IRE Secretariat.

The social programme will include a welcome reception hosted by the Mayor of Ljubljana at the 'Old Electricity Plant', Ljubljana's oldest power plant which is today a museum and venue of contemporary dance and theatre. The Slovenian design collection Oktober will be presented, and the guests will be invited to taste traditional Slovenian food and drink. The gala dinner will take place in one of Ljubljana's most symbolic buildings - Ljubljana Castle. Further information about Ljubljana can be found at www.ljubljana-tourism.si

IRE members are welcome to register for the event. The draft agenda is available, and regularly updated here.

Ms Nathalie Brahim

IRE Secretariat