Faced with the crisis: The Regions at Europe’s bedside

21-22 September 2012
Pescara, Abruzzo (I)

Even faced with significant challenges – creating jobs, generating economic growth, harmoniously developing the territory, fighting climate change – regions demonstrate a stunning potential for innovation while dealing with a rapidly evolving societal, economic, and environmental reality.

Nevertheless, regions cannot solve Europe’s current economic problems on their own. Companies, institutions, and non-governmental organizations also have a major role to play in the development of local politics in view of moving towards an exit to the crisis.

This is why the Assembly of European Regions (AER) has decided to organize a summit intended as a meeting point for all these actively involved parties within a dynamic of shared expertise and solutions, but not for that alone. It’s also a question of reflecting on the future together and proposing concrete courses of action and efficient political recommendations. Finally, it’s a question of facilitating the emergence of a truly effective multi-level governance offering Europe a perspective for the sustainable, harmonious, and balanced development of its land.

In order to achieve this, it seems crucial to us to emphasize four main themes capable of responding to these expectations and to engage dialogue between these active parties. Boosting employment through education and training, the role of eco-innovation in economic recovery, the commitment of small businesses in local activity and the growth opportunities offered by the health and cultural sectors are
therefore themes to be explored, questioned, and adopted during the panels. I am happy to welcome you to Pescara, and I hope our work together will be fruitful!

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