Science and technology is increasingly recognised as being important for the competitiveness of companies and economies throughout the world. Each nation is seeking to maximise its benefits from the rise of the knowledge economy. At the same time, the cost of carrying out research and development is increasing faster than public budgets can easily accommodate. Therefore government funding agencies and research councils have all emphasised the importance of the issues of exploitation, value for money, and commercial viability.

This event explores the principal issues in science and technology policy and offer participants the opportunity to exchange experiences with senior decision-makers from around the world. It is the sixth event in a highly successful series, held every two years. The main topics include:

• science and innovation policy
• public sector research – universities and public laboratories
• international collaboration strategy
• intellectual property rights.

Participant profile
The seminar is aimed at policy-makers and senior mangers in ministries, agencies, research-performing institutions and other bodies implementing and influencing science and technology policy. It will also be of interest to senior decision-makers in government, public and private laboratories, research councils and other research funding bodies. Previous participants have come both from developed and industrialising countries in Europe, Asia, the Americas, Australasia, Africa and the Middle East.