|
About the LED Conference
Enhancing Local Economic Growth
In recent years regional and local economies have had to face increasing challenges. The process of globalization - with its profound changes in technology and information, its demise of protectionist policies and the far-reaching expansion of trade associated with it - is rapidly altering the economic status quo and presenting new economic opportunities and risks for cities, regions and nations all over the world. While areas with competitive firms have been able to prosper in the international economy, less competitive regions have suffered unemployment or employment of lower quality. This growing inequality has given rise to LED development strategies. In addition, the widespread move towards decentralisation has also become central to the growing importance of LED. In this changing context, governments have to rethink development strategies in order to cope with and to take advantage of existing transformations.
Promoting LED initiatives is more feasible when national frameworks supportive to LED are in place Local stakeholders must have the ability to represent their interests at the national level and advocate for support and change.
Thus, linking LED initiatives successfully to the national level requires supporters of LED to direct increasing attention to national policies effecting LED on the one hand, and building capacities of all local stakeholder on the other.
What are the options for the people, firms, and regions to better compete in the global economy? What can be done in order to contribute to the generation of more decent jobs at the local level? What participatory mechanisms can be used in order to foster sustainable social, economic and institutional development at the local, provincial or regional level? How can we foster a dialogue between public, private and non-profit actors? What are the best practices and strategies for local economic development?
These are some questions that will be addressed in the conference on “Local Economic Development Strategy" from 28-30 April 2008 that will take place at Le Meridien Hotel, Amman.
Joining LED specialists from top class Universities, Development Agencies as well as field experts working on Local Economic Development projects on a daily basis, the LED Conference will provide the opportunity to the participants to analyze best practices, exchange experiences and learn about the advantages and disadvantages linked to the design and implementation of local economic development strategies
Objectives
The participants will be able to:
- Recognize the changes of the globalization and its effects at the local level;
- Exchange experiences and jointly analyze social and economic benefits and costs associated to different development strategies;
- Appraise new development strategies and the necessary development techniques;
- Evaluate the advantages and risks of the adoption of LED strategies in a changing context.
- Educate local government institutions about forming successful coalitions with private sector actors.
- Appreciate the innovative elements of the LED approach
- Be aware of a range of experiences / case studies and LED tools
- First insights about how to start an LED process and value the possibility to apply the LED approach and tools in their countries/environment
- LED role in development of entrepreneurship & small Medium enterprises.
- Role of governance in local economic Development.
- The effects of local public services on LED.
Who Should Attend
This conference is aimed for all those involved in the decision-making, design and implementation of development strategies, including:
- Local, regional and national officials concerned with economic development or planning;
- Experts of international organizations, local community organizations, NGOs and other bodies dealing with development;
- Local and national Municipality and Governorate officials
- Private professionals and consultants advising governments in development issues;
- Economists and other social scientists.
Format
Each day will consist of several panel sessions as well as seminars and breakout sessions. This will give participants the opportunity to go into more detail on the themes arising from plenary sessions that interest them most. Also,on the second and third day, case studies from the region will be presented and participants will discuss and talk about their own work and experiences.
Costs of Participation
The cost of participation for this conference is 500 Euros payable in advance by the participant’s sponsoring organization.
The fees include: - Paticipation in the conference for 3 days.
- Conference Readers and other materials.
- Welcom reception.
- Lunch/Dinner for the 3 days of the conference.
- The cost does not involvoe hotel accomodation.
|
