MINIFORUMS

Coordinated by: Arne Eriksson: arne @ aek.nu

The minifora can be seen as a smorgasbord covering a range of issues pertinent to innovative clusters for participants to choose from. In all there are 16. They differ as regards the type of issues to be discussed, here branded by colours. Some give participants an opportunity to take stock of present knowledge in key areas. Four of the minifora deal with collaboration and coordination. Two discuss directly challenges for governments. Four highlights specific issues in relation to upgrading of clusters.

Wednesday, Sept 17 11.30-13.00 | First Round of Parallel Miniforums

Building social capital and trust and civic entrepreneurship Benefits of innovative clusters Drivers of biotech clustering Evaluation of cluster performance How e-business is changing cluster and clustering Investing in cluster specific talent Clusters and regional innovation systems Network of European Clusters - a platform for innovation and growth

Wednesday, Sept 17 14.30-16.00 | Second Round of Parallel Miniforums

The role of science parks as boundary crossers From cluster initiatives to microeconomic agendas Can governments catalyze clusters? Examples of government intervention Collaborative Governance - the Triple Helix Donor Funding of Competitiveness Initiatives: Results to Date and Future Strategic upgrading through the inflow of FDI Gender is Innovative Clustering - the whys and hows of entering and inclusion Clustering Competencies

Each miniforum is introduced, facilitated and documented by a prepared team. On average 30 participants are expected to attend each miniforum with a range from 10-40. Each miniforum is led by a facilitator and one or more experts introducing the issues. Together they represent a mix of researchers and very experienced practitioners.

Each discussion will be documented by a doctoral student ending with a couple of key points to be communicated to all the participants at the conference via a "poster". Participants will have an opportunity to have an overview of conclusions from all minifora during the coffee break in the afternoon. Each miniforum is set out to end up in a best advice to make clusters and/or regional innovation systems more innovative to respectively the business leader, the academic, a cluster facilitator, a local political leader and a government official.

If you have questions or if you want to join a team, please contact the facilitator already indicated and arne @ aek.nu When registrating, participants will be asked to indicate a miniforum of their preference.