CréaWAL, growing despite the financial crisis

Conferences and workshops

18 November, 11 am -12.45 pm

Opening conference: "Growth and development in the midst of financial turbulence"

Is Europe capable of averting the fate of economic and social relegation? Is the financial crisis liable to damage our economies in a lasting way? In the view of Anthony Giddens, major British sociologist, whose other roles have included being Director of the London School of Economics and Tony Blair's main theorist on economics policy, there is no cause for despair.
Europe retains an undeniable special outlook in that it continues to believe that values such as solidarity, the protection of the most vulnerable and the provision of a wide range of economic and social rights to the population as a whole are an integral part of its identity.
In these circumstances, the central issue is not whether Europe must give up on its social values. It is how it should adapt them to a world where the relationship of individuals to the market, the state and social issues has been radically transformed. Flying in the face of the dominant euro-scepticism, the author shows that changes have already begun and that Europeans' capacity for change is greater than commonly thought. He asks us to imagine the future without regard to the received ideological ideas that often obscure the debate on the European model.

This conference by Anthony Giddens will be followed by a debate with

	Jean-Claude Marcourt Minister for the Economy, Employment, Foreign Trade and Heritage of the Walloon Region;

	Antonio Gozzi CEO, Duferco Belgium;

	Carsten Brzeski Senior Economist, ING

Moderator

Jean-Claude Marcourt Minister for the Economy, Employment, Foreign Trade and Heritage of the Walloon Region;

18 November, 2 -3.30 pm

"Consumption trends, growth markets and behaviour"

Dutch trend-watcher Adjiedj Bakas is one of the best European specialists in consumption trends. He will present four consumption trends that should not be ignored and will translate these into concrete actions and solutions for businesses. What will the consumer profile of the future be, and how can businesses best adapt to this to best serve this changing consumer? In the current climate, you should come and listen to Adjiedj Bakas at CréaWAL to find out about future trends and anticipate changes in the market, society and consumers in order to adapt in the best possible way and supply on-line products and services appropriate to the real needs of the consumer of the future.

Moderator

Corinne Boulangier, Journalist, RTBF

18 November, 2 - 3.30 pm

"China: a mature market? An increasingly difficult market?"

What stage of maturity has the Chinese economy currently reached? What has changed as compared with five years ago? Why does it seem to be more difficult to penetrate the market? How can we compete against the increasingly effective and numerous local operators? What is the impact of the economic crisis?

With:

	Xinhua Zhang, Shanghai Vision Consultant;

	Bernard Dewit, President, Belgian Chinese Chamber of Commerce;

	Frédéric Van Gansberghe, CEO, Galactic sa;

	Jean-Marc Philippet, Director-General, Câbleries namuroises;

	Michel Kempeneers, Asia-Pacific Manager, Awex;

	Patrice Thys, Senior Advisor, Roland Berger Strategy Consultant, Shanghai Office.

Moderator

Jean-Yves Huwart, Journalist, Trends-Tendances

18 November, 3.30 - 5 pm

"Are trends sustainable - is sustainability a trend?"

Is sustainability a trend? Is this trend sustainable? Are businesses aware of the benefits they can derive from it and what is at stake? Can they still survive if they ignore sustainability? Is there life after sustainability? These are the questions that the panel of experts and witnesses will tackle in this workshop.

With:

	Ursula Tischner, Professor at the Design Academy Eindhoven, CEO, E-Concept, well-known specialist in eco-design;

	Marie d’Huart,Director, CAP conseil;

	Frédéric Dawans, Managing director, Air Energy;

	Valentine Donck, organic stylist;

	Philippe Thiry, Managing director, Aigremont SA;

	Hervé Delporte, Project engineer, Aigremont SA.

Moderator

Corinne Boulangier, Journalist, RTBF