ESPON High-level Conference
Knowledge for Territorial Cohesion and Regional policy - The ESPON 2013 Programme
28 November 2006, Committee of the Regions
ESPON organised this high-level European conference on 28 November 2006, in cooperation with the Committee of the Regions and the European Parliament. Commissioner Danuta Hübner responsible for Regional policy, Minister of the Interior and for Spatial Development of Luxembourg, Jean-Marie Halsdorf, Sir Albert Bore from the Committee of the Regions, and Joost Van Iersel from the European Economic and Social Committee, debated the necessary evidence support to policy development related to territorial cohesion, competitiveness and cooperation, and the strategic role of the ESPON 2013 programme in that respect.
The discussion, moderated by Henning Christophersen, former Vice-President of the European Commission, addressed key policy themes and necessary applied research and indicators required by European policymakers for regional policy development after 2007. The ESPON 2013 programme will, apart from developing further the knowledge base through applied research, offer more targeted, user defined analysis. Regional Representation Offices in Brussels and stakeholders involved in policy making and administration at EU, national and regional levels were invited to present their specific needs during the Conference.
ESPON received strong support and acknowledgment from the Commission as well as from the European Economic and Social Committee, Committee of the Regions, and European organisation present in the audience. Important demands were formulated towards the next programme, in terms of e.g. new territorial indicators to be produced, improved communication and cooperation settings, which will inspire the development and implementation of actions within the ESPON 2013 programme.
On the next page, you will find the programme, list of participants and the presentation of ESPON results and ESPON 2013 programme objectives, which opened the Conference.
Please, find below the programme of the Conference, the list of participants and the introductory presentation of ESPON results and ESPON 2013 programme objectives, which opened the Conference.
