Innovation ambassadors drawing up 'manifesto'

Erik Spiekermann, a professor and typography designer from Germany, said he was pleased to hear the term "manifesto" used as it implies the beginning of a movement. 

"When you hear that word you usually think of the Communist manifesto – even the Dadaists had a manifesto. Every movement in history has written a manifesto, which means what we're doing here is starting a movement. We don't want this 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, and hopefully other people will join the movement." 

A Denmark-based innovation researcher, Professor Bengt-Åke Lundvall, said the manifesto should take account of the deep global financial crisis that has engulfed Europe. "The crisis creates a climate for policy and institutional change. If you go back to the 1930s, many of the fundamental institutional changes that shaped the post-war growth period were established in that period. So I think it creates potential for opening up discussions which have not been open for some time." 

He said the ambassadors would have to come up with ideas which are coherent and constructive relating to knowledge creation, innovation and creativity in the context of the current economic situation. "I think there is a good chance that what we are doing could have practical consequences. We need to come with basic principles but also concrete ideas in order to have an impact." 

Belgian molecular neuroscientist Christine van Broeckhoeven said for her the manifesto should be a strong statement, perhaps presented in bullet points. “It’s important that we don’t only make the statement but also have an implementation plan. At this time of financial crisis, the statement should provide some positive message for the future. It could also state that at this very difficult time it would be wrong to cutback on innovation and creativity. There are essential cutbacks but it would not be wise to cut research spending which is the basis for the future of innovation. The manifesto might also be a warning about what could happen to the values of innovation and creativity at this difficult time.” 

Portuguese conceptual artist Leonet Moura said manifestos are usually connected with something new. "I see this manifesto as a chance to bring something new. I don't know if we can do it because it's not easy. It should consider all aspects of what creativity and innovation means in society. I think we really need a new culture; a new concept of culture, because the one we are using today dates from the last century." 

Damini Kumar, a designer and inventor based in Ireland, said the manifesto should be meaningful for the wider community. "For me, this manifesto has to answer their questions about why we're doing this and how the public will benefit from it. It will be most powerful if people can read it, understand it, and then learn from it and apply it."