Start Time: 10:30

Location: Suite Sunningdale

Speaker:

Jostein Soland - General Manager, Stavanger Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Summary:

In my capacity as Administrative Director of Stavanger Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with a background in media and literary science, I will attempt to share a few reflections in regard to a discussion about the possibilities for regional development on the periphery of urban centres in Europe.

My reflections will build on the basic theory of human capital. (Leiv Edvinnson from Sweden) and the thesis on “The Dream Society” as it is formulated by the Danish futurist Rolf Jensen. Both books were published in 1998 and I have, directly and indirectly, used their thoughts on regional economic development in my work and also in a private development of a heritage based economic activity. Our possibility to steer our lives with meaning towards a chosen goal is central for both these authors, how we use and develop our intellectual capital and create the ‚Äúgood stories‚Äù around us. This we must do if we are to develop an understanding of ourselves and achieve partnership and co-operation. This line of thought is in strong contrast to figures presented in regard to urbanisation towards 2050. For the first time in human history 2008 marked the fact that more people live in towns than in rural areas.

A. Economic activity is culture as culture is economic activity
B. Regional and rural
C. Two examples and one perspective.