Creativity and innovation have a particular relevance on the Portuguese domestic scene at the moment; the decision of the European Union to promote these two topics for the Year 2009 was thus met with unbound enthusiasm. It could not have been otherwise in the country where the Lisbon strategy was born...

The official Portuguese launch comes just in time: the EU has announced at the end of January the European Innovation Scoreboard for 2008, where Portugal is a growth leader in its group of "moderate innovators", with a rate of improvement of its innovation performance of more than twice that of the EU 27. Thus Portugal gets the 17th place in the EU 27 list, compared to the 22nd that it held in the past. The Technological Plan that is being implemented in Portugal since the end of 2005, mobilizing the whole society- from companies to institutions and families- seems to bear fruit.

The European Year of Creativity and Innovation in Portugal and the national Technological Plan share the same philosophy, according to Carlos Zorrinho, coordinator of both initiatives. "Knowledge, technology and innovation are key factors in the global game of competitiveness" he said. "But they are not enough to win. For this, we need these instruments to be used creatively and within an entrepreneurship culture". Zorrinho added that "a new triangle becomes important in today's society: identity, mobility and creativity. Creativity and innovation are key to human wellbeing and to more competitive societies."

Margarida Marques, Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Portugal, underlined the impact of European Years, that are dedicated to "transversal, mobilising themes" and that often have a sustainable impact through legislative initiatives initiated by the European Commission. Referring to the acute importance of the Year in the context of the economic crisis, she stated that "today, creativity and innovation are part of the solution. Once the crisis will be over, those who will have invested in creativity and innovation will find themselves much ahead of the lot."

As a keynote speaker, the Canadian professor Don Tapscott, well known author of "Growing up digital", presented the opportunities and challenges that the Net generation brings to the functioning of our societies, from management and marketing to learning and political campaigns. This paradigm shift should be used by people, institutions, companies and governments to rethink themselves, in a creative and innovative way.

The event mobilised a wide range of economic and social actors, from artists to entrepreneurs, from scientists to cultural producers. During the whole afternoon, workshops presented various points of view on creativity and innovation, from economic theories to practical information on projects and activities.

The website www.criar2009.gov.pt acts as an information platform for the Year, as well as a meeting point, under the slogan "Do it yourself!" The site counts with a large interactive part, receiving contributions from stakeholders in forms of events, blogs, comments, videos and photos.

For more information:
www.criar2009.gov.pt