CONFERENCE: HELSINKI-TALLINN KNOWLEDGE ARENA

INVITATION

Non-profit association Helsinki-Tallinn Euregio and Culminatum Ltd Oy Helsinki Region Centre of Expertise would like to invite you to Estonian-Finnish conference

Helsinki – Tallinn Knowledge Arena

Time: March 20-21, 2006

Place: KUMU – Art Museum, Weizenbergi 34, Tallinn

Registration: until March 13th, 2006

The Helsinki-Tallinn Knowledge Arena conference is based on the vision that Helsinki and Tallinn will constitute a coherent twin region of science, education, art and knowledge-based business in the future. By joining forces in areas of shared interest the two relatively small regions can better succeed in the globalising world. Therefore the opinion leaders on both sides agree that the building process of the ‘knowledge bridge’ between the two regions and nations must continue.

The horizontal theme of the Knowledge Arena is the role of universities in ‘serving the community’(the so called third mission of universities).

The aims of the conference are to:

• promote further cooperation between universities, polytechnics and other institutions of higher education in the Helsinki-Tallinn ‘twin region’
• strengthen networks between representatives of academia, municipalities and regional authorities, and business sector from both sides
• present good practices from Estonian-Finnish joint activities
• propose new ideas for joint activities

The cross-disciplinary themes of the conference are:

• Welfare & wellness
• Art, design and media
• Urban development and urban research

Workshops will be set up to discuss each theme. Each workshop includes sub-themes such as better use of ICT, utilisation of R&D results in business creation, innovation (test) platforms / environments and funding possibilities for joint activities.

Keynote speakers:

Yrjö Sotamaa Rector, University of Art and Design Helsinki

Jüri Engelbrecht Vice President, Estonian Academy of Sciences, president of

ALLEA (European Federation of National Academies of

Sciences and Humanities)

Target groups: Universities, business sector, local and regional government organisations, media

Helsinki-Tallinn Knowledge Arena is organised in connection with ‘Helsinki-Tallinn Twin Region of Art and Science’ priority.

Looking forward to seeing you in Tallinn,

Katri-Liis Lepik

Helsinki-Tallinn Euregio

Kimmo Heinonen

Culminatum Ltd Oy Helsinki Region Centre of Expertise