Policy provocation for regions in transition

Policy provocation for regions in transition

The Centre of Excellence in Smart Specialisation and Regional Policy has put forward a ‘policy provocation’ to inform regional policy in transition regions.

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This provocation was workshopped at a policy dialogue held at RMIT University on 28 August 2019, and was cosponsored by the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute.

The Centre of Excellence was pleased to welcome over 30 attendees to the policy dialogue. Participants came from diverse institutions including RMIT, University of Melbourne, Department of Environment Land Water and Planning, the Latrobe Valley Authority, the Regional Australia Institute, and Infrastructure Victoria.

We were privileged to hear from leading innovation scholars Professor Bjorn Asheim (University of Stavanger) and Professor Ron Boschma (Utrecht University/University of Stavanger) on the theory and practice of regional innovation. Additionally, Karen Cain (CEO, Latrobe Valley Authority) and Robyn Henderson (Manager, Sectors and Just Transitions Unit, MBIE (NZ)) presented on the challenges of place-based policy making in regions transitioning away from fossil fuel dependent economies.

A report on the policy dialogue, drafted by Bradley Davison (Student Intern at the European Union Centre), is available on the EU Centre website.

The Centre of Excellence in Smart Specialisation and Regional Policy aims to:

  • facilitate international cooperation between researchers and policy-makers working on regional development
  • broaden understanding of the role of EU regional policy, and
  • support the implementation of smart specialisation initiatives and the development of regional innovation systems in countries beyond the EU.

The Centre of Excellence is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

We welcome any researchers or policymakers who are interested in regional innovation to continue the dialogue with us by responding to the provocation or participating in future events.

The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

15 October 2019

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15 October 2019

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.