Innovative cities – creating a resilient economy, 17-19 March 2021

Invitation to the Eurocities Economic development forum 2021 – Pia Pakarinen, Deputy Mayor of Helsinki, EDF Chair
Welcome to Oulu – Paivi Laajala, Mayor of Oulu

Programme

(as of 8/03/2021)

See the full agenda here

All sessions will be held online – more information shortly

17 March
9.00-14.00
  • Opening the doors to Oulu
  • Keynote speakers:
    • Video message from Mariya Gabriel, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
    • Martin Sandbu, Financial Times’s European Economics Commentator and author of ‘Economics of Belonging
  • Panel debate:

Cities on the edge – how to create the next generation of local innovative ecosystems?

  • Lunchtime chats with Eurocities team
18 March
9.00-14.00
  • Morning DancePresentation of the Ghost in the Machine by TaikaBox
  • Get to know Oulu – study visits
    • BusinessAsema
    • OuluHealth
    • Smart port of Oulu
  • Lunchtime chats with Eurocities team
19 March
9.30-13.00
14.00-15.30
  • EDF Business Meeting – agenda here

About our host

Oulu is the capital of northern Finland. The Oulu Region has about 250,000 inhabitants and it is the fastest growing region in Finland. Oulu can count on its solid foundation to become a smart city. It is an education and trade city with 50 years of know-how in radio technology. It has a multidisciplinary university doing extensive research and product development, and, for centuries already, the city has made its mark in international trade by exporting tar, paper, and technology solutions. Products coming out of Oulu have made locals’ day-to-day lives smoother and gifted the world with smart solutions.

On a daily basis, 2.6 billion people use mobile technologies developed in Oulu. Today, the city is at the forefront in 5G network development – and fast going towards 6G.

Learn more about Oulu

Contact

Aleksandra Olejnik, Eurocities policy advisor, aleksandra.olejnik@eurocities.eu

Anne Rännäli-Kontturi, International Affairs Manager, City of Oulu, anne.rannali-kontturi@ouka.fi

Petri Karinen, Head of International Affairs, BusinessOulu, petri.karinen@businessoulu.com