The EMINENT 2008 Conference (Experts' Meeting in Education Networking) takes place this year in Rome, Italy, on 4-5 December (from 8:30 Thursday to 17:00 Friday). It is the 8th EMINENT conference after successful events in Amsterdam, Lisbon, Stockholm, Geneva, Prague, Paris and Brussels. About 300 policy-makers, researchers, school leaders, leading-edge practitioners, industry partners and other stakeholders in the area of new technologies applied to education are due to attend the event. EMINENT is a unique opportunity to meet, make new contacts and discuss common Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiatives that foster the development of education in Europe. The Conference is primarily aimed at members of our network, the 31 Ministries of Education forming the EUN Consortium. A limited number of places for experts in the area of ICT in education is also available on application.

Themes covered in plenary and workshop sessions this year include interactive whiteboards, ICT policy and practice, portals, digital skills, the learning resource exchange and personalised learning. EMINENT will also feature the high-profile eLearning Awards ceremony, during which the most innovative projects to promote the use of ICT in teaching and learning are rewarded following a competition for teachers from all over Europe. Each year the event is supported by leading industry partners and is a highlight of the conference.