The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is facilitating an international conference on Linking Creativity and Culture for Innovative Local Development in Trento, Italy on 28 November, 2005. Recent studies confirm the power - and expansion - of cultural markets. Cultural policies can make the difference in attracting the 'brains' that help fuel this knowledge economy, where culture is a raw material. This international conference will explore these ideas with the aim of increasing the awareness of policy makers and the private sector of the importance of culture in economic development policies. It will also promote specific recommendations on how to maximise the advantages of cultural policies, therefore enhancing a territory’s competitiveness. Linking Creativity and Culture for Innovative Local Development is addressed to policymakers and to economic and cultural practitioners. It has been jointly organised by the OECD LEED Programme, Federculture and the Autonomous Province of Trento, Italy. Working languages will be Italian and English, and simultaneous translation will be provided. The registration deadline is 25th November. Copies of the draft agenda, registration forms and other relevant documentation are available for download HERE. For more information, CLICK HERE.