Ernő Rubik, one of the Ambassadors of the Year, offered to President Barroso the famous cube that he invented. The cube specially conceived for this occasion has on it the names of the EU countries, the European flag and the logo of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation. The President declared to be inspired by the complexity - while at the same time the unity - of the cube in the political negotiations for the appointment of the new European Commission in the very near future.

During the press conference, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said there was considerable convergence between the manifesto and the priorities he has set out for the next EU commission.

"Creators and innovators, whatever their field, share a vision of the future and of how to make it better than the past. Europe needs such vision more than ever as we seek to lead global efforts to recover from crisis and tackle climate change. So I warmly thank the Ambassadors for their Manifesto for Creativity and Innovation in Europe and I will ensure that their vision feeds in to the new Commission's strategy for EU 2020" he said.

President Barroso added that he would push for new sources of growth based on the knowledge triangle of research, education and innovation. He said the new Commission will seek to make Europe “more mobile and connected”. The Commission President also cautioned against cutting public spending on research and education, urging EU governments to shift public finances towards “smart industries”.

more information about the presentation and its presenters here (like Maros Sefcovic, Jean-Philippe Courtois, Edward de Bono and other Ambassadors of this European Year).

The Manifesto contains Seven commandments and Seven lines of Action, related to education, culture, science, design, the workplace and business. Retraining teachers and encouraging lifelong learning are highlighted as a priority, with greater attention paid to critical thinking and design at all levels of the education system.

Initiative should be rewarded
The expert group says people who take new initiative in business, the public sector and civil society should rewarded, and proposes a combination of patent reform and prizes for artists, designers, scientists and entrepreneurs. The cultural sector should be built up through national and European programmes in order to facilitate intercultural dialogue and boost creative industries, according to the manifesto.

The Ambassadors believe a broader-based innovation policy, along with increased investment in science, technology and design, will help make Europe more competitive.

“Firms should be stimulated to combine scientific knowledge with experience-based knowledge. Developing and implementing broad innovation policy strategies must be a major concern for political leaders,” the manifesto states.

Europe should think globally
The group wants to see Europe at the world-wide forefront in terms of science, culture and competitiveness, but also calls for economic collaboration with developing countries.

“Promoting innovation in poor countries is a moral obligation and it reduces the pressure of immigration. Europe should contribute to the establishment of fair rules regarding the protection and sharing of knowledge at the global level,” says the document.

As part of a wider effort to transform itself into a post-carbon society, Europe should embrace eco-innovation and clean technologies, according to the report which was coordinated through the EU executive’s education and culture directorate.

“Investments need to be combined with new institutions, new regulation and new habits. Creativity is the major tool to find solutions that combine sustainability with prosperity,” the Ambassadors concluded.

To know more

• The Manifesto for Creativity and Innovation
• European Year of Creativity and Innovation: Photo gallery
• Press Release (IP/09/1702, 12 November 2009): Manifesto for Creativity and Innovation in Europe, and look at the bottom of this page to see it in other languages: http://ec.europa.eu/citizenship/news/news955_en.htm