Conferences
The Globelics International Conferences are the network’s flagship events and one of its most important spaces for global exchange, learning, and collaboration. Since the first conference in Rio de Janeiro in 2003, these gatherings have brought together scholars, policymakers, students, practitioners, and institutions from around the world to discuss the role of innovation, learning, competence building, science, technology, and development in different social, economic, and institutional contexts.
Over more than two decades, the conferences have travelled across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe, reflecting the global and inclusive character of the Globelics community. Each conference is rooted in its host country and region, creating opportunities to connect international debates with local development challenges, policy priorities, and research communities. This rotation has allowed Globelics to foster South–South and North–South dialogue, strengthen regional networks, and build bridges between academic research and policy practice.
The conferences provide a platform for presenting cutting-edge research, engaging with leading scholars, supporting early-career researchers, and discussing key issues in innovation and development. They also serve as spaces for building long-term collaborations, strengthening the identity of the network, and advancing shared debates on innovation systems, technological capabilities, inclusive development, digital transformation, sustainability, and policy learning.
This section presents the history of Globelics International Conferences, including their locations, dates, organizers, institutions, conference tracks, themes, and related materials. Together, these conferences tell the story of a global community committed to understanding how innovation can contribute to more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development.
GLOBELICS
7th Globelics Conference (2009): Dakar, Senegal
The first Globelics Conference in West Africa highlighted inclusive growth, education, and technological change as essential pillars for sustainable development and stronger innovation systems.
GLOBELICS
6th Globelics Conference (2008): Mexico City, Mexico
The Sixth Globelics Conference explored the micro-dynamics of innovation, highlighting technological capabilities, knowledge networks, and institutional collaboration as key drivers of development in emerging economies.
GLOBELICS
5th Globelics Conference (2007): Saratov, Russia
The Fifth Globelics Conference emphasized collaboration between government, academia, and industry as a foundation for innovation, technological progress, competitiveness, and sustainable socioeconomic development.
GLOBELICS
4th Globelics Conference (2006): Trivandrum, India
he Fourth Globelics Conference explored how innovation systems and technological capabilities could enhance competitiveness while fostering shared prosperity and sustainable development across developing countries.
GLOBELICS
3rd Globelics Conference (2005): Pretoria, South Africa
The first Globelics Conference in Africa strengthened international dialogue on innovation systems while highlighting the continent’s growing role in development and knowledge creation
GLOBELICS
2nd Globelics Conference (2004): Beijing, China
Bringing together scholars from around the world, the Second Globelics Conference reinforced the importance of innovation systems and international cooperation in promoting inclusive and knowledge-based development.
GLOBELICS
1st Globelics Conference (2003): Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The inaugural Globelics Conference established a global network dedicated to innovation systems, learning, and competence building as fundamental drivers of sustainable economic and social development.