You are invited to a free seminar hosted by the Monash European and EU Centre

The seminar features presentations from Professor Bruce Wilson, Director of the European Union Centre at RMIT University in Melbourne, and Prof Nicolas Levrat, Director of the European Institute, University of Geneva.

Regional policy has become an increasingly significant dimension of European Union activity, such that annual expenditure in this area comprises more than one third of the total EU budget. It may be considered an important success for EU, even though its concrete results and successes are varied (major achievements in Spain, poor results in Greece). In these respects, the political significance of EU regional policy clearly surpasses its economic relevance.

In contrast, in Australia regional development policy has a much less prominent and consistent standing. Research on regional development issues has been crude and there is little to show that policy development has been evidence-based. This presentation explores differences in understanding of regional issues in the EU and Australia, and highlights challenges to be addressed in both settings.

This seminar will be held at Monash Caulfield, with Professor Nicolas Levrat participating by videoconference from the University of Geneva.

All welcome – No charge

When: Thursday 20 October 2011, 5.00–7.00pm
Where: H782, Building H, Level 7, Monash University Caulfield Campus, 900 Dandenong Road, Caulfield East

Please RSVP by 19 October to [email protected] or phone 9903 4638