The rhythm has changed

Seven “priorities” and seven “lines of action” make up the “Manifesto for Creativity and innovation in Europe” presented as one of the outcomes of the EU special Year dedicated to these issues. In the last months hundredth of events involved the Member States: at the closing program the “Ambassadors of the Year” presented a guideline on possible goals to “cultivate innovation” in the Old Continent. The “Seven Commandments”. Among the new “creativity commandments” – as they have been defined in Brussels – the following goals emerged: “nurture creativity in a lifelong learning process where theory and practice go hand in hand”; make schools and universities a place of creative thinking; transform workplaces into learning sites ; promote a strong, independent and diverse cultural sector; promote and foster scientific research to understand the world ; promote design processes, thinking and tools for understanding the needs, emotions, aspirations and abilities of users; and support business innovation”: The document is the result of the collaborative work of the Ambassadors for the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009 (www.create2009.europa.eu) made up of researchers, artists, professors, scientists. The list includes: Jordi Savall, Spanish musician; Christine van Broeckhoven Belgian molecular neuroscientist; Damini Kumar, Irish designer; Jean-Philippe Courtois, French President, Microsoft International; Blanda Rihová, microbiologist of the Czech Republic; Ernö Rubik, Hungarian architect; Leonel Moura Portuguese artist.History, research, dialogue. “The world is moving at a new rhythm”, the introduction reads. To be at the forefront of this new world, Europe needs to become more creative and innovative. To be creative means to imagine something that did not exist before and to look for new solutions and forms respecting history and the cultural heritage consolidated by the fact of knowledge built upon historical knowledge”. Furthermore, creativity is a fundamental dimension of human activity. It thrives where there is dialogue between cultures, in a free, open and diverse environment with social and gender equality”. The document that will be disseminated by the EU Commission highlights; “Economic, environmental and social crisis are driving towards new ways of thinking and acting. Creativity and innovation can move society forward towards prosperity, but society needs to take responsibility for how they use it”. This means that innovation must be mobilised in favour of a fair equal society based upon intercultural dialogue and with respect for the health and well-being of people worldwide”. Redesign Schools and University. Seven lines of action are necessary to achieve the listed goals. First of all “invest in knowledge”. “To progress Europe needs political financial policies centred on investments in human resources and knowledge”. Secondly, the urgency to “reinvent education”. “Schools and universities need to be reinvented in partnership with teachers and student ” and engage parents “so that they can contribute to a modern and participatory education system. The other actions are: reward initiatives, sustain culture, promote innovation, think globally, favour green economy.A global “leaders”. The European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009 is aimed at promoting ” new approaches in different sector of human activities” and “help prepare the Union to the challenges of a globalized world”. Among the issue addressed this year at least two can be mentioned: how can Europe be at the forefront of the new globalized and highly competitive world? How can the creative continental potential be better used in the field of education, research and business? The Commission President José Manuel Barroso, made a comment on the Manifesto and the issues it tackles: “Creators and inventors, whatever their field, share a vision of the future and how to make it better than the past. Europe needs such a vision more than ever” since” we seek to lead global efforts, to come out of the economic crisis and tackle climate change”.