How can Europe be at the forefront of the new, globalised, intensely competitive and knowledge-based world of the 21st century? How can the creative and innovative potential of Europe be better used in education, research, culture, design, business and the workplace? How can public policy at the European and national levels foster creativity and innovation in these fields?

Leading European personalities from various backgrounds have reflected on these questions in their role as Ambassadors for the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009. The result of this collaborative work is the Manifesto for Creativity and Innovation in Europe. Through 7 priorities and 7 lines of action, the Manifesto brings a powerful impetus for change. It will help shape the European Union's vision of the role of creativity and innovation and feed into the Union's strategy for the decade 2010-2020. With its 'Seven Commandments', the Manifesto will help shape the EU's strategy for promoting creativity and innovation for the next decade.

The following Ambassadors were present at the handing-over ceremony:

• Jean-Philippe Courtois (FR), president, Microsoft International
• Jordi Savall (ES), musician and professor
• Christine van Broeckhoven (BE),professor, molecular neuroscientist
• Damini Kumar (IE), designer and inventor
• Blanka Říhová (CZ), professor, microbiologist
• Leonel Moura (PT), conceptual artist
• Dominique Langevin (FR), professor, physicist
• Edward de Bono (MT), author and international speaker on creativity and lateral thinking
• Ernő Rubik (HU), Professor, architect, designer

Link to the Manifesto for Creativity and Innovation in Europe