Think tank Virtual Policy Network intends to hold a two-day event titled Virtual Policy ‘08: A conference on innovation and governance in virtual worlds. The conference aims to define the virtual policy agenda for UK and Europe.

Scheduled for July 22-23 at the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform’s conference center in London, Virtual Policy ’08 will bring together industry veterans, policy makers, and academics to discuss the public policy implications of virtual worlds from a European perspective.

Key themes which will be examined at the event include intellectual property rights, financial transactions, governance frameworks, issues regarding kids in online spaces, and new models and tools for learning in virtual worlds. The conference will also cover innovations in brand promotion, virtual meetings, and online learning.

Designing Virtual Worlds author and University of Essex professor Richard Bartle will deliver a conference keynote, as will Technology Intelligence Group CEO Christian Renaud. CCP's (EVE Online) Eyjolfur Gudmundsson, Linden Lab's (Second Life) Dr. Jim Purbrick, and Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform's Leigh Jackson will also be speaking at Virtual Policy ’08.

Said Virtual Policy Network founder Ren Reynolds: "This is the ideal time for a mature debate about the relationship between public policy and virtual worlds. Virtual Worlds are not new, having been invented in the UK almost 30 years ago, but today’s scale of use is unprecedented. With figures such as Habbo Hotel’s 90 million registered users and World of Warcraft establishes itself as a pastime for millions people around the world - virtual worlds are forcing themselves onto the policy agenda. This unique event will focus on the whole range of policy implications of this fascinating and rich global cultural phenomena .”