Brussels, 27/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 25 March, Education, Training, Culture and Youth Commissioner Ján Figel' met the 27 ambassadors for the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009, whose task it is to determine where reform is necessary and to consider the types of investment needed for the development of conditions in the European Union where creativity can grow and flourish. These eminent figures from the worlds of research and culture are currently working on a “manifesto”, first drafts of which will come out in June, with publication of the final text bringing the curtain down on the Year of Creativity and Innovation in December. The text will make concrete proposals to help Europe make more of its creative and innovative potential in this period of crisis. It will fully respect national areas of responsibility but will allow the Commission to prepare the ground for future action in this area. “We want to raise young people's awareness of entrepreneurship and … develop a stronger capacity to innovate both in private and public spheres,” Commissioner Figel' said. “What we are doing is providing a push. We don't want this (the manifesto) to go away when the Year is finished. In fact, the first manifesto was the Ten Commandments. I envision seven or ten commandments that we want to live by,” said German typography designer and university professor Erik Spiekermann. Another ambassador, Danish researcher Bengt-Ake Lundvall said that the current crisis had to be used as a lever for innovation. “The crisis creates a climate for policy and institutional change. I think it creates potential for opening up discussions which have not been open for a long time”. Belgian neuroscientist Christine can Broeckhoeven said: “It's important that we don't only make the statement, but also have an implementation plan”. For designer and inventor Damini Kumar, it is important that this manifesto “speaks” to people. “It will be most powerful if people can read it, understand it, and then learn from it and apply it,” she suggested. (I.L./transl.rt)