NESTA at the Party Conferences - 2008
NESTA was at the Party Conferences to host debates on the economic competitiveness of the UK; video games; investment in early-stage businesses; and how young people can be encouraged to develop their creative talent.
The Labour Party Conference
1. Closing the equity gap: how are we going to fund the high-growth start-ups of the future? - Smith Institute event sponsored by NESTA
Location: Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Speakers: John McFall MP (Chair, Treasury Select Committee), Simon Walker (Chief Executive, BVCA), Jonathan Kestenbaum (Chief Executive, NESTA)
Why have many investors abandoned investments in early-stage businesses, seeking the relative comfort of more established businesses? This event considered how, in the new economic climate, the high growth start-ups of the future can be funded.
2. Improving skills: economic or social imperative?
Location: Jury's Inn, Manchester
Speakers: Rt Hon John Denham MP (Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills), Jonathan Kestenbaum (Chief Executive, NESTA), Sasha Callaghan (President, UCU) Polly Curtis (Education Editor, Guardian)
Should skills policy focus on increasing the economic competitiveness of the UK or should it be used to tackle social exclusion and increase social mobility? This debate looked at how different approaches affect government policies for skills and education.
3. Making creative Britain accessible to all
Location: Jury's Inn, Manchester
Speakers: Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP (Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport) and Mark Thompson (Director-General, BBC)
How can young people be encouraged to develop their creative talent? How can we open up pathways into creative sectors? How can we develop the infrastructure necessary to consume and develop creative content?
The Conservative Party Conference
1. The video game: friend or foe?
Location: Malmaison Hotel, Birmingham
Speakers: Ed Vaizey MP, Ian Livingstone OBE (Creative Director, Eidos), Tom Hoggins (Daily Telegraph), John Carr (Secretary, Children's Charities' Coalition on Internet Safety), Jonathan Kestenbaum (Chief Executive, NESTA).
Each year, video games contribute £3b to the UK economy, but they have been linked with encouraging violence among young people. This debate focused on the ‘good' and ‘evil' sides of the video game.
2. Innovation: the answer to an economic downturn?
Location: The ICC, Birmingham
Speakers: Adam Afriyie MP (Shadow Minister for Innovation, Universities and Skills), Irwin Stelzer (Hudson Institute, Washington and Columnist, Sunday Times), Jonathan Kestenbaum (Chief Executive, NESTA).
With the economy stagnating, this event will look at what can push-start UK economic growth. This debate focused on the role innovation has in tackling this challenge. Does it allow businesses to differentiate in an increasingly competitive world or is it an expendable luxury?
3. What is the post-bureaucratic age? - Policy Exchange event sponsored by NESTA
Location: Jury's Inn, Birmingham
Speakers: Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP (Chairman of Policy Review), Charles Leadbeater (Research Fellow, NESTA), Steve Bundred (Chief Executive, Audit Commission), Anthony Browne (Director, Policy Exchange).
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