This Brussels Debate will focus on the potential of the creative industries for both economy and society. The question of maximising positive links between creative industries, the rest of the economy and their contribution towards the whole society will be at the centre of the discussion.

During this period of economic crisis, there is growing political recognition of the importance of the creative industries in the new "experience economy". However, in practice, the potential of this sector as a motor of the economy remains underexploited. This debate will take a closer look at how these industries could be better used as a conduit for innovation for society as a whole and what their place could be in the future European innovation strategy.

Date: 19 November 2009
Venue: Résidence Palace, Polak Room, Rue de la Loi 155, 1040 Brussels
Time: 17:00 - 19:00 (Registration starts at 16:30)

Françoise le Bail, Deputy Director General, DG Enterprise, will open the debate with a keynote speech, followed by a panel debate between the following speakers:

• Hasan Bakhshi, NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts), UK
• Miguel Silvestre, Deputy Mayor of Obidos, Portugal
• Ruta Prusiviciene, Director of Vilnius Festival, Lithuania
• Anne-Marie Boutin, President, APCI (Agence pour la promotion de la création industrielle), France
• Jean-Noël Durvy, Director for Innovation Policy, European Commission - DG Enterprise and Industry

To register, please contact info@epc.eu

Background note

Link to photo gallery

Link to video gallery

Download the Report of the seventh Brussels Debate