STOA Workshop - New technologies and Regional Policy: Towards the next Cohesion Policy framework

​A workshop organised by the Science and Technology Assessment (STOA) Panel of the European Parliament on 16 October 2017 will address the following questions: What is the impact of new technologies, in particular Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) at European local and regional level? What is the state-of-the-art in the development of science and technology parks in Europe, as a means of promoting research in and applications of new technologies? What are the main achievements and remaining challenges to fully exploiting the potential of ICTs and science and technology parks under cohesion policy for the benefit of European growth Speakers from European institutions, national and regional governments, and experts in the field will contribute to the discussion on how European investments in ICT technologies and facilities can foster local economies and create innovation and growth. The outcome of the event will feed into the debate on the next cohesion policy framework. Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso, (EPP, Spain), European Parliament Vice-President responsible for STOA will open the workshop, which will be co-chaired by Constanze Krehl (S&D, Germany) and Lambert van Nistelrooij (EPP, the Netherlands), Members of the European Parliament Committee on Regional Development (REGI). Also a Member of the REGI Committee, STOA Panel member Georgi Pirinski (S&D, Bulgaria) will close the workshop. A subsequent in-depth report will draw upon the debate, and will be published on the STOA website. The workshop and in-depth report implement a STOA project aimed at highlighting the importance of the territorial dimension for economic growth at European level. It focuses on the role and potential of the existing cohesion policy funding in planning and implementing ICT infrastructures in the regions, and in accompanying the efforts to digitalise European economy and society. Some ERRIN regions will also be showcasing at the event, namely Murcia, South Moravia, and Warmland. Find attached the full programme. Please register here before 9 October.