Creating an Innovation Culture

On 14-16 October 2007, the Chamber of Commerce of Milan will host the 2nd Europe INNOVA Annual Partnering Event. The event will link the activities and results of Europe INNOVA to major trends in society where innovation can play a role. Thus, the Opening Plenary will address the challenges emerging from climate change and new consumer attitudes and needs and explore how companies can best respond to this innovation challenge. In three Parallel Sessions, Europe INNOVA networks will be asked to highlight their results, tools and policy recommendations to address European innovation needs in the areas of cluster development, innovation financing and standardisation. Furthermore, the European Commission will present the future orientation of the Europe INNOVA initiative, and time will be reserved to discuss how current projects and networks can participate in upcoming actions. The event will start on Sunday, 14 October, with participants taking part in city visits and enjoying the exhibits and events of Milan's Innovation Week which brings innovation onto the streets of the city. Organised by the Innovation Circus under PRO INNO Europe, with the support of the Province of Milan, the Innovation Week will close and officially hand over to the Europe INNOVA Partnering Event at the welcome reception. In this spirit, the Europe INNOVA Annual Partnering Event presents an excellent opportunity for Europe INNOVA and PRO INNO Europe networks to come together, exchange information and discuss their contributions to innovation policy and practice in the EU. The City of Milan will organise the Gala Dinner on 15 October at the Palazzo Reale in the Piazza del Duomo, and the Chamber of Commerce of Milan is also organising a number of innovation tours and visits to technology parks in the afternoon of 16 October.