Place Based Economic Development with Simon White

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Simon White

Simon White

Simon White is a specialist in place-based economic development, private sector and business development and business environment reform.

Illusions and Opportunities in Sustainability and Entrepreneurship

Here is the presentation I gave today at the Curtin University Sustainable Policy (CUSP) Institute on Illusions and Opportunities in Sustainability and Entrepreneurship. The CUSP Institute is an industry focused international research institute with a strong track record for making substantive contributions to government and industry both in Australia and

Pecha Kucha - small town development in Japan

Recently, I’ve been looking into introducing Pecha Kucha 20 x 20 into the neighbourhood I live in through the local business and residents association known as Leederville Connect. As I was exploring some examples of interesting Pecha Kucha examples, I came across this presentation by a young Japanese woman,

What drives change?

Last week, I attended a forum run by Economic Development Australia (EDA, of which I am a member) and Regional Development Australia (RDA), entitled “Driving Change in Our Cities; Integrated Investment Priorities Plan for Perth & Peel”, at the University of Western Australia. The Perth & Peel Economic Development Strategy

Enterprising Cities

Doing business in a locality that has access to dynamic and growing markets, where information, ideas and contacts are shared between firms and institutions, both within and across sectors, and where firms can access the inputs they require to operate competitively makes a lot of sense. Governments and the business

The Rise of Innovation Districts

Here’s a great article from the Brookings Institute on how to ignite innovation process within urban centres. The Rise of Innovation Districts; A New Geography of Innovation in America presents the case for a reconfiguration in the way innovation can be stimulated at local levels. Innovation districts have the

Should the Post-MDG Framework contain an indicator for business environment reform?

As 2015 draws closer, the international community is assessing the extent to which the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have been achieved. The MDGs have been remarkably successful in focusing attention and mobilising resources to address the major gaps in human development. The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) suggests a “defining feature

My presentation on business advocacy in fragile and conflict-affected states

Last month I was asked to be a key note speaker at a “Expert Meeting” in The Hague on Entrepreneurship Development for Stability in Conflict Affected Regions, which was organised by Spark. This meeting focused on ‘Business Environment Reforms and the Role of Advocacy’. My presentation can be downloaded from