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7th TCI Annual Global Conference, Ottawa 2004. Building innovative clusters

Key Conclusions from Ottawa

Perhaps the conference consensus can distilled into 9 points suggested by Elisabeth Rocha and the expert panel.

1. We are using a common vocabulary thanks to the White Book
2. Clustering is ever more important for SME's
3. Clusters are not just about transferring knowledge
4. Cluster policies are a good framework to bring about change
5. Universities don't make clusters but can be a catalyst
6. Clusters and innovation systems are complementary
7. Cluster policies are best organised at local level
8. The focus of attention has to be context specific
9. Agreement on the success factors of cluster initiatives

Details are available in Elisabeth's summary on presentations of the White Book and the conference.

 

Program and materials

 

Lifetime Achievement Awards for Becattini and Rosenfeld

Two special Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented in Ottawa to important personalities in the field of economic development for their contributions to the foundations of cluster based economic growth.

The awards went to Giacomo Becattini, Emeritus Professor at the University of Florence and member of Trinity Hall College in Cambridge, for his seminal work on industrial districts, and to Stuart Rosenfeld, President of Regional Technology Strategies Inc., North Carolina, for his work on the roles of networks and industry clusters, and policies for implementing cluster-based economic development initiatives.