NUI MAYNOOTH ACADEMIC PRESENTS

EU CREATIVITY MANIFESTO DAMINI KUMAR LEADS EU AMBASSADOR GROUP

NUI Maynooth lecturer Damini Kumar, Ireland’s Ambassador to the 2009 European Year of Creativity and Innovation today presented Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso with the outcome of her Ambassador group’s work, the Manifesto for Creativity and Innovation in Europe.

Ms Kumar, Programme Director of Product Design at NUI Maynooth is recognised for inventing the world’s first non-drip teapot.  She has been listed as one of the “Top 100 Women in the World” by Cosmopolitan Magazine.  She was joined by 26 other notable ambassadors from across the EU including Erno Rubik, professor and inventor of the eponymous cube, Edward de Bono, author and speaker and creativity, and Jean-Philippe Courtois, President, Microsoft International.

Speaking at the Manifesto launch, Damini Kumar said “The economic, environmental and social crises we are facing at the moment challenge us to find new ways of thinking and acting.  The way is open for Europe to be the world leader in economy-driving creativity and innovation, but it is imperative we act urgently.  If we have a collective commitment to fostering the right conditions to let creativity flourish, and back this up with investment, we will all benefit”.

The Manifesto presents “seven commandments” to achieving excellence in innovation and creativity.  They include investing in knowledge, emphasising the primary importance of schools and universities, promoting life-long learning through the workplace, nuturing a strong, independent cultural sector, promoting scientific research, supporting business innovation and developing a society with user-centred tools and systems.

Ms Kumar explained that the manifesto will be central to informing the further development of the knowledge economy in the EU, and will form the basis of policy documents, legislation and international protocols.  “This is the most important global initiative we have at the moment.  Innovation is at the centre of economic development, environmental protection and international aid.  We need to show the way for the rest of the world, particularly developing countries.  We all need to grow together sustainably, using what is available to us.  Our biggest collective asset now is brainpower”, she said.

Ends                                                                                     12th November 2009

Note to Editors

The aim of the Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009 is to promote creative and innovative approaches in different sectors of human activity and contribute to better equip the European Union for the challenges ahead in a globalised world.

Official website of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation: http://www.create2009.europa.eu

Further information from:

NUI Maynooth

Deirdre Watters                               +353 1 708 3363

 

 

Pictured above - Damini Kumar, Programme Director of Product Design at NUI Maynooth presenting the Manifesto for Creativity and Innovation in Europe to Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso also pictured Edward de Bono and Jean-Philippe Courtois, President, Microsoft International.