The Curitiba´2000 Conference - Learning and Knowledge Networks for Development- will focus on economic, political, technological, ethical, and social transformations associated with the emerging global issue of knowledge for development. Participants are encouraged to present original research and to share best practices. Conference topics will include:

1. Policy: Emerging Issues in Science and Technology

• Government Policy and the Management of Knowledge
• Socioeconomic Development and the Geography of Innovation
• Policies for Developing and Newly Industrialized Regions
• Privacy in a Networked World
• Shared Prosperity and Sustainability
• Intellectual Property Policy in the Digital Economy
• Social, Environmental, and Ethical Issues for the Knowledge Society
• Information and Telecommunication Policies
• Intellectual Property Policy and Distance Learning

2. Development: Global Perspectives on Technology and Economic Growth

• Entrepreneurship in the Global Economy
• Technology Transfer: Regional, National, and Global Perspectives
• Knowledge for Economic Development
• Global Business Incubators
• The Virtual Technopolis
• The Valuation and Acquisition of Intellectual Property
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Fostering Global Knowledge Partnerships
• Regionalization and the Global Economy
• Cross-Border Infrastructure Development
• Regional Clusters and Development

3. Managing Technology Companies: From Start-ups to Multi-Nationals

• Managing Financial, Intellectual, and Human Capital
• Partnering for Global Mega-Ventures
• Technology and Competitiveness for SMEs
• Fostering Intrapreneurship in Large Companies
• Electronic Commerce, Security, and Certification
• Education and Training Talent for the Knowledge Society
• Technology Acquisition and Transfer
• Innovation and global competitiveness

4. Knowledge Society: Tools, Methods and Institutions

• Regional and Global Systems of Knowledge Creation and Diffusion
• The University in the Knowledge Society
• Knowledge Transfer, Application, and Diffusion
• Public Versus Private Resource Allocation and Incentives
• Metrics for Knowledge
• Education Delivery Systems

5. Networking and partnerships for development

• Maintenance of knowledge networks