Regional Innovation – Central Switzerland
UnBla.07 What can we share what can we learn
Regional Innovation is the main theme of the UnBla.07 conference; and Central Switzerland is the field of application. This region is currently developing a Regional Innovation Strategy. The strategy will help making this dynamic, visible region more competitive and an even better place to live in.
The questions that UnBla.07 addresses are centred around this Regional Innovation Strategy. They cover three main areas:
1. Supporting a whole region to remain innovative
2. Telling the stories of regional innovators
3. The positive effects of disturbing innovation processes
1. Supporting a whole region to remain innovative
Supporting a region means including a whole range of stakeholders with different roles and from a substantial variety of groupings and backgrounds. How is it possible to foster the desire to innovate? How much attachment to their home region do people need to become innovators – or how little? Is it always easier to attract outsiders to generate innovation?
2. Telling the stories of regional innovators
Every region has its innovators. Telling their stories we see as an important contribution to maintain the spirit of innovation. Particularly since regions shouldn’t ignore traditional, even mature local industries that may have equally good if not better growth prospects than high-tech industries, according to Michael Porter .
3. The positive effects of disturbing innovation processes
Disturbances can be stopping an innovation process. Yet sometimes disturbances help people breaking out of conventional lines of thought and accepted knowledge and thus can lead to innovation. How could this innovation be actively enabled? Can we plan the unexpected, can we ‘Un-plan Innovation’?
To express your interest in taking part in UnBla.07 please go to http://www.2007.unbla.org/, deadline 30 November 2006; you will get a notification of acceptance by 4 December 2006.