First "European sessions on innovation"

The first "European sessions on innovation" will be held in Paris at the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (Science and Industry exhibition centre) on 9 December 2008

They aim to launch a process of dynamic innovation in Europe, as part of Europe’s response to the economic and financial crisis in the context of globalisation. This process should continue throughout 2009, the European Year of Innovation.

Chaired and organised by the former French minister, Claude Allègre, these first sessions reflect the commitment to innovation set out in the Lisbon Strategy, and to making the knowledge-based economy – that is research, innovation and the economic valuation of research – the growth driver of Europe.

The sessions will be opened by Bernard Kouchner, The French Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, and Christine Lagarde, the French Minister for Industry and Employment, and will be concluded by Nicolas Sarkozy, the President of the French Republic and President of the European Council. Valérie Pécresse, the French Minister for Higher Education and Research, will also participate. 

Based on the diagnosis that, despite the efforts undertaken within the framework of the European Research Area, there is still too great a disassociation between fundamental research and applied research in Europe and private funding of technological research remains insufficient, the “European sessions on innovation” should lead to the drawing up of specific proposals by field players, which will be taken on at political level, to stimulate innovation in Europe.

This large event will bring together actors of innovation from all European countries, including researchers, academics, large and small innovative enterprises, scientific culture actors, specialists of intellectual property and funding of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), experts in capital risk and investment funds specialising in risk financing and business creation and managers of companies and research valuation bodies. Also participating will be national and regional officials in both politics and administration and managers of innovation and competitive cluster policies.

Throughout the sessions, participants will try to bring solutions to the challenges that the European Union has to meet for sustainable growth based on innovation and knowledge. The topics will include "Improving the funding of innovative start-ups", "Better valuing public research and transferring results to the socio-economic world", "Mobilising all the necessary human, financial and political resources to stimulate creativity and innovation in Europe" and "Regional policies for innovation".

Participants will also reflect on the development of scientific culture and the basic teaching of science and technology to better raise society’s awareness about innovation issues. Lastly, the all-important issue of intellectual property and patents will also be addressed.

The French Presidency will use this framework for specific proposals as a basis to better coordinate innovation-focused national programmes and European initiatives which will contribute to stimulating technological innovation.

Accreditation for the European sessions on innovation:

• For the media: https://medias.ue2008.fr/php/login.php/  

• For the participants: The European sessions on innovation are open to the public. Register before 8 December by sending an e-mail to innovation@egide.asso.fr stating your name, surname, position, company, country and the two workshops of your choice, in order of preference. Please also state your date and place of birth, nationality and the number of your identity card or passport.

• Updated: 30.12.2008

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