André Bradford in Brussels to participate in “Open Days – European Week of Regions and Cities”
The Secretary of the Presidency, André Bradford, participates in the 8th edition of “Open Days – European Week of Regions and Cities,” an event jointly organised by the European Commission and the Committee of Regions taking place in Brussels from October 4 to 7.
The European Week of Regions and Cities will be held under the theme “Objective 2020: Competitiveness, cooperation and cohesion for all regions” and includes several meetings, seminars and workshops on various topics, in which regions and cities will have the opportunity to discuss the “EU2020” agenda, the revision of European budget and the future of cohesion policy after 2013.
The Azores are part of a partnership led the Commission for Coordination and Regional Development of Lisbon and Tagus Valley and the Creative and Inclusive Economic Growth Network (CIEGnet), which integrates other partners such as Veneto and Abruzzo (Italy), Western Sweden, Bucharest, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Opole (Poland).
The work group, which includes the Azores, will address “sustainable growth and well-being,” a theme that integrates the key issue of competitiveness to be developed during the “Open Days.” This activity aims to highlight these actions to boost regional competitiveness and simultaneously ensure sustainable growth and well-being.
On Tuesday, the “Creative and Inclusive Economic Growth Network” will promote the Conference “Grow smart! Focusing European Regional Policy on future well-being,” with the purpose of launching the debate on the potentialities of territories and the challenge of taking advantage of them in order to develop public policies that improve economic and social well-being. The Regional Secretary of the Presidency participates in this conference with a speech on the topic: “Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre – a historical, scientific, environmental and tourist attraction.”
The 2010 edition of “Open Days” will count on the participation of 247 regions and cities from 34 countries, including Portugal, which represents a record number of participations. Nearly 6000 participants are expected, including representatives of local, regional and national authorities, leading figures of the European Union, scholar and the media.