One of the sessions, moderated by Carmen Carvalheira from CCDR Alentejo, explored Talent Attraction, Upskilling & Retraining. The session featured speakers Gabriele Marzano from Emilia-Romagna Region, Virginie Laye from PwC, and Karen Maguire from OECD. They discussed the importance of attracting and retaining talent, lifelong education through training, and addressing skills shortages in the working population.
The Urban Regeneration session, moderated by Ronald Hall from DG REGIO, brought together Anne Wetzel from Hauts-de-France Region, Jonas Peterson from the International Economic Development Council, and Alberto Ruiz Carmona from Malaga City Council. They highlighted the significance of European grants in testing and scaling innovative urban solutions, capacity building, and the role of public participation, strategic foresight, and storytelling in shaping sustainable urban development.
The session on Territorial Innovation, Interregional Value Chains & Strategic Foresight, moderated by Lucía Huertas Suanzes from INFO Murcia, featured speakers Bert Kuby from the Committee of the Regions, Christian Matti from JRC, Christian Saublens (former EURADA director), and Anna Sowa-Jadczyk from Małopolska Regional Development Agency. They discussed the importance of innovation, interregional cooperation, and the underutilised tool of strategic foresight for regional policymakers in anticipating future developments and defining innovation needs.
Throughout the event, participants engaged in fruitful discussions and shared best practices in regional development. The importance of collaboration, inclusivity in decision-making, and the holistic approach considering social, cultural, economic, and environmental interests was emphasised.
Closing remarks delivered by Ms. Dall'Olio highlighted the importance of a place-based approach with a multi-level perspective, involving local regions and communities based on shared visions and strategic foresight. Regional development agencies and local stakeholders were recognised as crucial players in orchestrating initiatives and nurturing talents. Participants were encouraged to adapt to the changing global scenario and step out of their comfort zones.
The AGORADA event served as a platform for professionals to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and collaborate on regional development topics. As EURADA look forward to upcoming events such as the Summer School, AGORADA+, and the Winter School, we continue to foster networking, facilitate exchanges, and provide food for thought in the field of regional development. EURADA's commitment to promoting positive change and addressing current challenges in regional development was evident throughout AGORADA. The event offered valuable insights and a collaborative environment, further strengthening the role of regional practitioners in driving sustainable cities and regions.
