The Fulbright Academy is pleased to announce that the March 2009 annual conference would be held in Skopje, Macedonia (the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia).  The exact dates will be set in the summer of 2008. 

The broad theme for the conference is economic development in "small countries".  Because of their size, smaller countries can be rapid adopters of new technologies.  They also can be laboratories for innovation - economic innovation, social innovation, scientific innovation. Small jursidictions can also carve out and maintain a niche in the global economy.  We may also consider the innovative activites conducted at sub-national jurisdictions (provinces & states).  Our definition of small is under 12.5 million in habitants - 1% of China or India, 4% of the USA or 10% of Japan.  The world's ten largest countries account for approximately 60% of the world's population.   

Some examples:*

• Pharmaceuticals - Switzerland and Singapore
• Marine ship registration - Liberia and Panama
• Publishing - the Netherlands
• Telecoms - Scandinavia
• Banking - Switzerland, Luxemburg, offshore jursidictions
• Upscale Urban Development - United Arab Emirates
• Education & High-tech - Massachusetts and Bavaria

* These are just examples.  The goal of the conference will be to highlight how countries have been innovative, and how these ideas might be applied in other jursidictions - small countries as well as large.  Other countries are also well known for some of the listed activities, and the listed countries are leaders in other areas as well. 

Getting Involved:

Please send your name and contact information to Eric Howard if you would like to kept informed about the meeting.  FAST is also seeking potential speakers, presenters, sponsors, and partners.  Email:  info (at) fulbrightacademy.org

The Republic of Macedonia is an in-land country bordered by Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo and Serbia.  Also known as The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, this Southeastern European country is slightly smaller than the State of Vermont and has a population of 2 million. 

The nation's capital - Skopje - has regular air service to several European hubs (airport code: SKP).  Most foreign nationals can travel to the country without a visa.  Airfare from North America is fairly expensive ($1,400-$2,000), but the incountry costs are low (most hotels are under $100/night).  FAST is expecting several sponsors, so the main cost for attendance will be air travel. Travel subsidies may be available. 

National economic growth averaged 4% per year during 2003-07, expanding to 5.1% in 2007. Macedonia has maintained macroeconomic stability with low inflation, but it has lagged the region in attracting foreign investment and creating jobs, despite making extensive fiscal and business sector reforms.

Sources: CIA-The World Factbook, Wikipedia, Kayak.com