All RDAs across England are closing by March 2012
(see transition and closure section).
With our resources reducing steadily, this page has not been recently updated and the information below may not be current.
If in doubt, please contact us directly.
What were the South West Debates?
Download an informative video about
the South West debates (windows media video file, 19mb).
There is a transcript
available for this video.
During extensive consultations on the Regional
Economic Strategy in 2005, a number of critical themes were
identified as important to the continued development of the
regional economy in the future. These themes were:
The challenge of the South West Debates was that there was not
yet enough understanding of these issues, nor was there agreement
as to the way forward.
To capture the range of views in the region, subject experts and
regional decision makers were bought together to scope the issues
that each debate topic should explore. Rather than provide answers,
open and creative dialogue provided an opportunity to identify the
critical questions about emerging trends, possible impacts, new
challenges and new opportunities.
Focusing on economic impacts, the Debates involved many
partners, building on expert advice and a range of opinions. Each
theme was jointly led by the South West RDA and key partner
organisations to ensure that the process was an open one,
consisting of rigorous analysis and providing a shared outcome for
the region.
Speaking out
A range of key thinkers, politicians, business people and
celebrities in the region were invited to contribute a short
provocation to the South West Debates - to broaden the perspective,
inject a bit of passion and inspire some really creative thinking.
Speaking
out is a collection of their polemics, their ideas and their
challenges for the South West region.