MANCHESTER INDEPENDENT ECONOMIC REVIEW

- 2008 WORKSHOP SERIES -

- Series kindly supported by the University of Manchester-

MIER, the biggest urban economic study ever commissioned in the UK, is a powerful tool to help us all meet Manchester’s needs and realise its potential.

In preparation for the outputs of the Manchester Independent Economic Review (MIER), an integrated series of interactive workshops are to be held on themes related to economic development and the work of the MIER. 

The workshops, aimed at economic development professionals, will highlight and discuss the key economic development issues for the City Region.  These workshops are structured to involve attendance at all five component events.

Discussions will focus on the nature of these issues, what can be done to address particular problems, and the role of the public sector, and key partners in tackling them. The workshop series will draw upon the themes that the MIER is examining , including: The Case for Agglomeration Economies; Industry Sectors, Clusters and the Innovation System; Economic Connectivity and Trade; Inward and Indigenous Investment; Labour Markets, Skills and Talent; and Sustainable Communities.

At the end of the workshop series, it is our intention that attendees will have a broader and stronger understanding of current Economic Development thinking as well as the issues currently affecting Manchester’s economy and what needs to be done to address them.  The sessions will be rigorous, highly relevant and designed to both improve people’s knowledge and be intellectually stimulating.

**Please note - the Workshop Series is fully subscribed, and the deadline for applications has now passed** 

If you have any queries regarding the structure and content of the seminars or the MIER, please contact Alex Cole (MIER Secretariat) at: info@manchester-enterprises.co.uk tel:0161 237 4408.

WORKSHOP 1: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - SETTING THE SCENE

Date: Thursday 25 September - 10am to 2pm (lunch 1pm to 2pm)

Location:  Room 2.40 (Second Floor), Manchester Business School - Booth Street West, Manchester, M15 6PB, Tel: 0161 306 1320

Learning aims:

This workshop aims to provide an introduction to the changing nature of UK economic development over the last ten years and the key policy imperatives underpinning this.  The session will also provide an overview of the Independent Economic Review by introducing the main concepts underlying each of the MIER projects.

WORKSHOP 2: SUSTAINING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - DEVELOPING THE THINKING AND UNDERSTANDING THE TENSIONS

Date: Tuesday 7 October - 10am to 2pm (lunch 1pm to 2pm)

Location:  'Kanaris Room' (Second Floor), Manchester Museum, University of Manchester - 250 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, Tel: 0161 275 2634

Learning aims:

Against a background of the drivers of economic growth in Workshop 1, this workshop aims to provide an overview of the policy models and approaches underpinning Growth and Equity policies in regional economic development.  It will also explore market and other failures, and the justification for public sector to intervene to help ensure long-term sustainable economic development.

 WORKSHOP 3: THE FUTURE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT?
THE EMPHASIS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE MANCHESTER CITY REGION

Date: Thursday 23 October - 10am to 2pm (lunch 1pm to 2pm)

Location:  'Kanaris Room' (Second Floor), Manchester Museum, University of Manchester - 250 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, Tel: 0161 275 2634

Learning aims: 

This workshop aims to provide an introduction to market and technology foresight, and thinking on the role of these in influencing economies.   It will also provide an overview of the latest thinking and the policy choices available to help innovation and the knowledge economy flourish, as well as the opportunities that sustainable economic development can bring.

WORKSHOP 4: THE ECONOMICS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Date: Thursday 6 November - 10am to 2pm (lunch 1pm to 2pm)

Location:  'The Egg' conference room (Ground Floor), University of Manchester Core Technology Facility (CTF) - 46 Grafton Street, Manchester, M13 9XX, Tel: 0161 606 7200

Learning aims: 

This workshop aims to provide an overview of the challenges posed by the Government’s Public Service Agreement (PSA) to practitioners in regional economic development.  It will provide an overview of the issues to consider when planning to maximise the impact of interventions in the city region’s economy, as well as an understanding of the importance and practice of the measurement and evaluation of interventions’ impact.

WORKSHOP 5: GOING FORWARD WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Date: Thursday 20 November - 10am to 2pm (lunch 1pm to 2pm)

Location:  'The Egg' conference room (Ground Floor), University of Manchester Core Technology Facility (CTF) - 46 Grafton Street, Manchester, M13 9XX, Tel: 0161 606 7200

Learning aims: 

This workshop aims to provide an overview of the practical implications of the Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration.  It will also provide an overview of the latest thinking around the development and delivery of local economic assessments and engaging and working with the private sector.   The workshop will draw together all the references made to the MIER and the case studies made throughout the workshop series and provide pointers for taking forward the research and findings of the work.