On 28-29 April 2005 the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA), Maastricht (NL) & European Centre for the Regions (EIPA-ECR), Barcelona (E) with the support of the Catalan Government via its School of Public Administration (EAPC), Barcelona (E) are organising an international conference in Barcelona (E).

MID-TERM REVIEW OF THE LISBON STRATEGY AND PROCESS:
The Need for Regional and Local Players to Step up their Involvement

In spring 2005, the EU Lisbon strategy “to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world” will be subjected to an in-depth review by its members so as to assess and if necessary adjust the targets and key mechanisms for delivering this ambitious strategy. This mid-term review, to be carried out at crucial moment in European history, i.e. after the accession of another 10 Member States, aims to re-confirm the important process set in motion in March 2000 under the Portuguese Presidency.

The report presented by the Kok Group in November 2004 on the progress of growth and employment in the Lisbon context stated that it is up to the national capitals to design and deliver the necessary reform packages. This message was also emphasised by the European Commission in its Communication to the Spring Council (February 2005). On the other hand, “competitiveness” and working together for growth and jobs is a joint responsibility of all levels of government, from national to local. In fact, both the positive and negative impacts on employment and growth of companies can be felt most strongly at local and regional levels. As a result, there is a clear need for these levels to step up their actions. This conference therefore aims to discuss the role and effective practices of regional and local players in delivering the strategy.

In view of the above, the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) and its Antenna in Spain, the European Centre for the Regions (ECR), have decided hold this international conference in the city of Barcelona, the capital of the region of Catalonia.

TARGET GROUPS

This conference is open to a wide range of target groups, including representatives of and politicians responsible for regional and local authorities in the enlarged Europe, senior civil servants from sub-national public administrations dealing with the policies and instruments related to the Lisbon strategy, as well as members of the Committee of the Regions (COR), the Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC) and the European Parliament (EP). In addition, people from the academic (universities, think-tanks etc.) and private sector (chamber and trade associations) are warmly invited to participate in this activity.

PROGRAMME

Thursday 28 April 2005

09.00 Registration of participants

09.30 Opening and welcome of participants
Rut Carandel, Secretary of Civil Service, Director, Catalan School of Public Administration, Generalitat de Catalonia (E)
Eduard Sanchez Monjo, Director, EIPA - European Centre for the Regions, Barcelona (E)

09.45 Introduction to the programme, its goals and methodology
Seppo Määttä, Seconded National Expert and Co-Project Leader, EIPA Maastricht (NL)
Alexander Heichlinger, Senior Lecturer and Co-Project Leader, EIPA-ECR Barcelona (E)

10.00 Keynote address:
A holistic view on the Lisbon strategy – The regional and local dimension in making Europe the most dynamic and knowledge-based economy in the world
The continuing validity and importance of the Lisbon process is not in doubt, but is indeed challenged by the recent Kok report. However, attention for both local and regional involvement and engagement has been lacking and a greater focus on these levels is of vital importance. This presentation will analyse the sub-national dimension in making Europe the most dynamic economy in the world and its administrations world-class actors.
Luigi Paganetto, Member of the Kok Group, Professor, University of Rome2, Rome (I)

11.00 Coffee break
 
11.30 Competitiveness, growth and employment as key challenges and (new) responsibility for local and regional governments
Every day, regional and local governments are facing the challenges of building a dynamic environment for innovations and knowledge development, which are the key elements of competitiveness, sustainable economic growth and employment. The Lisbon strategy provides a key reference point for the countries, regions and local actors in the European Union in becoming "the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world". This panel will shed light on the challenges and responsibilities faced by the European regions and local governments. These challenges will be compared and aligned with the priorities and goals of the Lisbon strategy.
Chairman and facilitator: Seppo Määttä
Panel: Hans Pluckel, Director Regio Randstad Office, Member of the Lisbon Regions Network, Brussels (B)
Mateu Hernandez, Director Barcelona Activa, Member of Eurocities, City of Barcelona (E)
Luigi Paganetto

13.00 Discussion (with all speakers of this morning)

13.30 Joint lunch

THE POLICY MIX UNDER REVIEW AND SOME INNOVATIVE PRACTICES AT SUB-NATIONAL LEVEL

15.30 Environmental sustainability: policy and innovative practices in the field of eco-efficient innovations and environmental impact assessment
N.N., representative of a German Land (G) or a representative of the province of Limburg (NL)

16.30 Knowledge and information society: policy and innovative practices in the field of eGovernance
Raul Caires, President of Madeira Tecnopolo, Region of Madeira, Funchal (P)

17.30 Education and employment: policy and innovative practices in the field of life-long learning
Renzo Ruffini, Director-General for Education and Employment, Region of Lombardy (I)

18.30 End of the first day

20.30 Dinner
 
Friday 29 April 2005

09.00 Keynote address:
Multi-level governance and coordination to promote local and regional input in the Lisbon context
The European Union is a complex system of multi-dimensional governance including various layers, actors and mechanisms. In order to ensure a comprehensive and integrated approach involving all the actors and layers in the multi-dimensional governance system (local, regional, national and European), public policies for economic growth, employment and competitiveness should be properly coordinated. This requires stronger competences of policy makers at every level of public administration. This presentation and the subsequent panel will provide analytical and practical views on ideas and potential solutions for coping with the challenge of multi-level governance and coordination.
Seppo Määttä

10.00 Coffee break

10.30 Prospects until 2010: key mechanisms for delivering the Lisbon strategy
It has become clear from the various stakeholders that delivery of the Lisbon strategy can only be ensured through coordination between all levels of government, reinforcement of the capacity of sub-national administrations as well as a well-balanced set of tools and instruments. These topics as well as the Commission’s interpretation of the outcome of the Spring Council and its follow-up actions will be examined during this session.
Chairman and facilitator: Alexander Heichlinger
Speaker: Ronald Hall, Acting Director, Head of Unit, DG Regio, European Commission, Brussels (B)
Panel: Open method of coordination for a decentralised approach in national policy making
N.N., President of the Danish Regions, Copenhagen (DK)
Management mechanisms and methods to enhance the capacities of regional and local public administrations
Lauri Lamminmäki, Head of the Finnish Local Authorities Office, Brussels (B)
Tools and instruments to put the Lisbon strategy into practice
Maria Antonia Mones, Director-General for Economic Programming, Generalitat de Catalonia (E)

13.00 Final discussion

13.30 Closing words
Gerhard Stahl, Secretary-General, Committee of the Regions, Brussels (B)

14.00 Free lunch

16.00 Guided walking tour of the city of Barcelona

GENERAL INFORMATION

Seminar venue:
Auditorium of the School of Public Administration of Catalonia (EAPC)
C/ Girona, 20
08010 Barcelona

Working languages:
English, Spanish and Catalan (simultaneous interpretation provided). The exact number of languages for which interpretation is to be provided will depend on the number of participants requiring the language(s) concerned.

Registration:
The participation fee is € 650 and includes the participation, documentation, 1 lunch, 1 dinner, coffee breaks, a walking tour OR a visit to Barcelona Activa and a certificate of attendance.
Please complete the registration form and return it before 20 April 2005 to Ms. Caroline Layous Dit Chicoy, Programme Organisation, tel.: +34 93 567 24 18; fax: +34 93 567 23 99; e-mail c.layous@eipa-ecr.com. Payment before 28 April is a condition for participation. Please indicate the method of payment on the registration form. For cancellations received after 20 April we will have to charge an administration fee of € 150 unless an alternative participant is nominated.

Information:
European Centre for the Regions (EIPA-ECR)
C/Girona, 20
08010 Barcelona
Tel.: +34 93 567 24 18
Fax: +34 93 567 23 99
E-mail: c.layous@eipa-ecr.com
You can find all the information about this seminar on our website (http://www.eipa.nl) by following the links: “Conferences” – “Open Conferences & Seminars 2005” – “Open Barcelona”.

Hotel reservations:
The EIPA-ECR would be pleased to make reservations for you in one of these two hotels in Barcelona:
Hotel Jazz***(superior) (Pelai, 3 - Tel.: +34 93 552 96 96, Fax: +93 552 96 97)
€ 115 Double room for single use, € 130 Double room, € 13 buffet breakfast (optional).
Hotel Europark*** (Aragó, 325 - Tel.: +34 93 457 92 05, Fax: +34 93 458 99 61)
€ 84 Single room, € 90 Double room for single use, € 108 Double room, € 10 breakfast buffet (optional).
7% VAT is not included in these fares.
Should you wish to make use of this possibility, please indicate the name of the hotel and the dates of arrival and departure on the registration form. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel on checking out. Please note that if you register after the closing date, hotel reservations cannot be guaranteed.

Confirmation:
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed registration form and after 20 April.