On November 20, the Council has adopted a decision proclaiming the year 2009 "European Year of Creativity and Innovation".

In the words of the Council, “the aim of this year is to support the efforts of Member States to promote creativity, through lifelong learning, as a driver for innovation and a key factor for the development of occupational and entrepreneurial competences. In the framework of existing programmes, the EU will contribute to financing measures at European, national, regional and local levels that help to achieve these goals, including:

- conferences, events and initiatives to promote debate and raise awareness of the
- importance of creativity and a capacity for innovation;
- information and promotion campaigns to disseminate key messages;
- identification of examples of good practice and dissemination of information about
promoting creativity and a capacity for innovation;
-surveys and studies on a Community or national scale.”

The launch conference of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation will take place on 7 January 2009 in Prague. The launch conference is one of the official events during the Czech presidency of the Council of the EU and distinguished guests are invited to attend it on formal invitation.

If you have questions about this event, you may contact coordinator Tamara Kafkova Department for EU Affairs Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Prague, Czech Republic Tel: +420-257-193-274.