Registration for OPEN DAYS 2008 has Begun

Online registration for the OPEN DAYS 2008 European Week of Regions and Cities is now open. OPEN DAYS is aimed at EU and regional policy-makers, experts and representatives of banking, business and civil society groups. Participation is free, with 143 specialist seminars to choose from and a total of 15,000 seats available for the event that will run from 6-9 October in Brussels.

A record 216 regions and cities from 32 countries have signed up as partners for the sixth annual OPEN DAYS, organized by the Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Commission's Regional Policy Directorate-General, with the support of the French Presidency of the EU and the European Parliament.

The seminars and workshops will focus on first experiences of implementing the 345 cohesion policy programs running from 2007-2013, worth a total investment of about EUR 500 billion in EU and national funds.

The OPEN DAYS seminars and debates will focus on four themes:

o Innovating regions: Promoting research, technological development and innovation;
o Sustainable development: Regional responses to climate change;
o Cooperation and networking: Exchange of best practice in regional development;
o Looking forward: A European cohesion policy for tomorrow.

The official website, includes details of all the seminars and workshops, speakers, dates and venues, as well as a step-by-step guide on how to apply.

The full program and more details, can be found in the OPEN DAYS Program Brochure.

The European Investment Bank, BusinessEurope, the European employers' organization, Siemens, General Electric, Philips, Veolia and the European Citizen Action Service will be among organizations represented at the OPEN DAYS "Investors Café," the event's exhibition and meeting area, hosted at the Committee of the Regions headquarters.

The French Prime Minister, François Fillon, will address the Opening Session at the Charlemagne Building on 6 October, alongside CoR President Luc Van den Brande and Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner. European Commission President José Manuel Barroso is also expected to participate in the ceremony. The Closing Session, which takes place in the European Parliament on 9 October, will include contributions from President Hans-Gert Pöttering, French Secretary of State for European Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet, and CoR First Vice-President Michel Delebarre. Commission Vice-President Gunter Verheugen has also been invited.

In addition to the events planned in Brussels, 32 countries will host 235 local OPEN DAYS events throughout the month of October, under the banner of "Europe in my region". In total, 26 Member States are represented among the OPEN DAYS partners, along with Turkey, Croatia, Norway, Switzerland and -- for the first time -- Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iceland. France has registered the highest number of partners, 22, followed by Italy and Spain (19), the United Kingdom (18), and Poland (17). In addition, representatives from other countries, including China, Russia, Brazil and Serbia are expected to contribute to the event, along with international organizations.