EUROPEAN YEAR OF CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION

European Year of creativity and Innovation!

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The working title European Year of Creativity and Innovation is based on the Framework of Key Competences adopted last December (Recommendations of the European Parliament and the Council of 18 December 2006-2006/962/EC) and in particular on:
Competence no. 7: "... an individual’s ability to turn ideas into action... It includes creativity, innovation and risk-taking, as well as the ability to plan and manage projects in order to achieve objectives."

Competence no.8: "... an awareness of local, national and European cultural heritage and their place in the world...appretation and enjoyment of works of art... as well as self-expression... using one’s innate capacities... Cultural expression is essential to the development of creative skills, which can be transferred to a variety of professional contexts... understanding of one’s own culture....respect for diversity of cultural expression... A positive attitude also covers creativity, and the willingness to cultivate aesthetic capacity through artistic self- expression and participation in cultural life."

European Year of Creativity and Innovation in Spain: 10.02.09

The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation announced last week a new Program of Scientific Culture and Innovation provided with a total budget of 13M €. Part of this amount will go specifically to activities within the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009.

The Spanish national programme will include an open Call for Proposals for activities which correspond to the objectives of the European Year for Creativity and Innovation. In addition, other funding schemes will support a strengthening of the existing Science and Innovation Communication Networks, the National Museum of Science and Technology and new educational initiatives promoting science and innovation in scholars.

According to the Minister of Science and Innovation, Ms. Cristina Garmendia, the European Year of Creativity and Innovation shares the same philosophy as the Ministry of Science and Innovation: “the creation of a society more prone to research activities, technological development, innovation and entrepreneurship”.
”During the year 2009, the programme is expected to fund directly 300 different initiatives, involving around 400 private and public entities” said Juan Tomás Hernani, General Manager of The Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology, the institution that coordinates the programme.