topic Ministry

Creativity and Innovation - European Year 2009

Creativity and innovation are important factors when drawing on the opportunities presented by globalization. Both are closely linked. After all, a society's innovative ability depends entirely on the creativity of its people.

Creativity has many different aspects in very diverse areas - ranging from art and design to science and entrepreneurial creativity. The one common denominator is that creativity provides the basis for the successful implementation of innovative ideas in all fields. General and vocational education and training can considerably enhance the creativity of each and every individual - in all phases of their lives. Education and training therefore also contribute towards the innovative achievements and competitiveness of society as a whole.

The aim of the European Year 2009 is to underline the importance of creativity as the engine for innovation and as a factor in the development of personal, vocational, social and entrepreneurial competencies.

Germany is supporting the European Union's initiative to encourage creativity and innovation and to provide them with a wide public platform throughout Europe in 2009. Information on German activities within the framework of the European Year 2009 can be found at www.ejki2009.de. The website's calendar of events will be continuously updated and will provide you with information on the projects, campaigns and events taking place in Germany in the course of the year.

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  topic Education

  Lifelong Learning Programme: the new European Education Programme

  The European programme in the field of lifelong learning brings the SOCRATES and LEONARDO DA VINCI programmes together under a single roof. Between 2007 and 2013 a budget of almost 7 billion euro will be available for exchanges of teachers and learners of all ages as well as for cooperation between education institutions.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/919.php)