Friday, 11 May 2012

Background

Creativity  and  innovation  are central to the social and economic development of Europe. The creative  sector,  which  encompasses the music industry, films, the  arts,  television/radio,  software and games among others, is responsible for over 1 million jobs across the EU and is vital to  the  cultural  life  of  European cities.  The  innovation  sector, another  pillar  of  the  European economy, has greatly supported the  economic  growth  of  European countries by creating new products,  developing  new  approaches or methods, which were only   dreams   yesterday   (e.g. mobile  phones,  wireless  connections  or  wind  energy)  but which are reality today.

In 2000, the Lisbon Strategy, the EU's overarching programme focussing on growth and jobs, recognised  that  knowledge  and the innovation it sparks are the EU's most valuable assets, particularly  in  light  of  increasing global competition. Together, the creativity and innovation sectors are among the main determinants of   European   competitiveness and economic growth.

Despite  the  value  of  creativity and  innovation  to  Europe  and towards its attempts to meet the goals  set  in  the  Lisbon  and Gothenburg strategies, there is a perceived need to further raise awareness about the relevance of and the need for creativity and innovation in Europe. It is for this reason that the »European Creativity and Innovation Day« is being organised, as an activity of the Interreg IVB (North Sea) Project »Creative City Challenge« and involving institutions, organisations and projects from across Europe.

Flyer/registration: European Creativity and Innovation Day 2012

Aim 
The »European Creativity and Innovation Day« aims to:

• to  foster  creativity  and  innovation in the North Sea Region and beyond by showcasing the potential  of  creativity  and  innovation in cities, represented by business, economic development agencies, education institutions and  local  government  and  disseminate their activities;
• to promote activities in creativity  and  innovation  as  tools towards territorial integration in a transnational way, increasing the sustainability  and  competitiveness of the North Sea and other European regions;
• to offer participant cities an opportunity to showcase what they are doing and how governments, educational institutions and private businesses  may  work  together to foster the cause of creativity and innovation in Europe.

A further objective of the »European Creativity and Innovation Day« is to provide a sound basis for further communication, interaction, future joint initiatives and encourage new investments.

Activities
The  European  Creativity  and Innovation Day is a transnational event, with manifold activities, which include:

• exhibitions
• workshops
• seminars
• concerts and shows
• guided visits

These, and many other activities, are  all  part  of  the  spectrum  of options   available   during   this special  day.  In  addition  to  the various activities it will catalyse, a  specialist  seminar  on  Creativity  and  Innovation  in  Europe: Towards Synergies and Partnerships will be held in Hamburg, in the context of which various projects will present themselves.

Who can take part
The  activities  of  the  »European Creativity and Innovation Day«  will  be  primarily  held at the following cities, which are  partners  in  the  Interreg IVB (North Sea) »Creative City Challenge« Project:

• Bremen (Germany)
• Delft (Netherlands)
• Dundee (Scotland)
• Gothenburg (Sweden)
• Groningen (Netherlands)
• Hamburg (Germany)
• Hoje-Taastrup (Denmark)
• Kortrijk (Belgium)
• Newcastle (UK)
• Oldenburg (Germany)

However, other cities may join and should contact the Secretariat of the »Creative City Challenge« in  Hamburg  at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to obtain an application form to officially join the day. The organisers of the »European Creativity and Innovation Day« are  unable  to  cover  any costs associated with any activity held by cities interested in taking part in it. However, activities submitted and accredited as part of the »European Creativity and Innovation Day« will receive a logo and promotional materials which they may use for dissemination purposes, as well as will be included in the web site where all activities will be listed.

Schedule
Expressions  of  interest  to  take part in the European Creativity and Innovation Day are possible until the 15th March 2012. Communications  to  all  accredited activities will be made by early March 2012. Accredited activities will  receive  further  information and promotional materials by the end of March 2012. All activities as part of the European Creativity and Innovation Day will be held over the course of Friday 11 May 2012.

Further information
Further details on the »European Creativity and Innovation Day« may be obtained from the Secretariat of the Creative City Challenge (CCC) project. CCC is a transnational collaboration project, with partners from 10 cities and 6 countries. They comprise representatives of the public services, academic institutions and industry. The collaboration relies on intensive exchanges between the project partners and partner cities as well as stakeholders from all sectors of the creative industry.

Contacts
Prof. Dr. (mult.) Dr. h.c. (mult.) Walter Leal, Dr. Maren Adler ,Kathrin Rath, Rebekka Welsch
Hamburg University of Applied SciencesLohbruegger Kirchstraße 65
21033 Hamburg, Germany

Tel.: +49.40.428 75 - 6107 / - 6075, Fax: +49.40.428 75-6079
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it