Grimsdale's Ire: 28/10/08

The toilet roll of reason and the burger box of justice 28/10/08
Simon Hoggart takes a light hearted look at how crime and punishment is being questioned in the House of Commons. [Guardian]

Tory thinkers offer lesson in equality 28/10/08
Polly Curtis describes an influential new Policy Exchange report on reforming schools funding. [Guardian]

There's cynicism at the heart of the communities agenda 28/10/08
David Clements makes a concerned critique of the Sustainable Communities Act, suggesting that its motive may be to build political legitimacy rather than promote democracy. [Guardian]

Unions prepare big pay demands to offset food and fuel price rises 28/10/08
“Substantial pay rises are being sought to compensate for sharp increases in energy and food prices, the union-funded Labour Research Department warned last night.” [Guardian]

Child support changes could hit 25% of lone parents, warns charity 28/10/08
"Changes to the way lone parents receive child support could see a quarter falling through the system, a charity warned on the day government reforms come into effect. From this week, separating couples on benefits - who make up 70% of child support claimants - will be encouraged to reach their own arrangements voluntarily, leaving the government's new Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission to concentrate on those cases where people repeatedly refuse to pay maintenance or regularly default." [Guardian]

Click here to read more information on Mr Grimsdale, King Heron and Mobius

EU Events: August and September 2008 Monitoring

Conference on the new services and networks of the information society, internet and media updated 31/08/08
The French Presidency is organising an "i2010" conference in line with the EU strategy to boost the digital economy and information society in Europe.

Industry, Research and Energy Committee 1/9/2008 & 10-11/9/2008

Extraordinary committee meeting in the beginning of September
- When? On 1 September 2008; the meeting will start at 19h30.
- Where? In Strasbourg, in meeting room SDM-S1.
- What is on the agenda? Please consult the link below.

Ordinary committee meeting later in September
- When? On 10-11 September 2008; the meeting will start at 9h00 on 10 September.
- Where? In Brussels, in meeting room PHS 3C050.
- What is on the agenda?.

Innovation and Research: SMEs are the DNA of European economy. How to support them more and better?
Conference "Union européenne, Recherche et PME: l'Innovation en Mouvement" (organised by the French Presidency) Paris, 15 September 2008 [Europa]

Innovation and Research: SMEs are the DNA of European economy. How to support them more and better?
Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for Science and Research
Conference "Union européenne, Recherche et PME: l'Innovation en Mouvement" (organised by the French Presidency), Paris, 15 September 2008 [Europa]

IPR in ICT standardisation Workshop (19/09/2008)
ICT standardisation is facing an increased impact from the inclusion of "patented" technologies in ICT standards and specifications which raises a number of questions to be addressed. For ICT standardisation to continue its role as a major instrument to support competitiveness, to increase interoperability and to respond to industry expectations and societal needs, an adequate balance has to be found between the need for standardised approaches and the interests of IPR owners. Standards developing organisations should be able to implement effective IPR policies while respecting the requirements of competition law.

The European Commission is therefore organising a one-day workshop on intellectual property rights and ICT standards on 19 November in Brussels. [Europa]

'Cluster Policy and Management: European and regional initiatives for innovation' 22nd - 23rd September 2008, Berlin
Cluster policy and regional cluster management are key tools for regional development and innovation. The European conference 'Cluster Policy and Management - European and regional initiatives for innovation policy' presents latest achievements and new initiatives of cluster development.

European regions need more innovation and economic growth to catch up with the global challenges. National and regional governments have recognised the potential of clusters as a driver in regional development. By taking determined action public authorities improve cluster development. This results in strengthening local economies, creating new jobs and attracting new investors. For this reason many cluster initiatives have recently been launched. The European Commission established a number of programmes supporting research and development and started new initiatives to help national and regional governments to create and develop regional clusters. For national and regional governments it is crucial to receive latest information on European policies and to ensure a good cluster performance in their region. [Europa]

FoCus final conference, Representation of Baden-Württemberg to the EU, Brussels, 29.09.2008, 3:30 - 8:00 p.m.
The FoCus consortium would like to invite to the FoCus final conference where the partners will present the project results. The conference will take place in the Representation of Baden-Württemberg to the EU in Brussels on 29.09.2008. [Europa]