"What I would like to see at the end of the Year is that the citizens of Europe understand better that by promoting human talents and the human capacity to innovate, we can actively shape Europe for the better, to help it fully develop its potential, both economically and socially," Fígel' said.
Governments, businesses and civil society should engage in a debate on how Europeans should change for the EU to remain competitive on the global stage while also preserving "a socially cohesive society, united in its rich diversity," the commissioner outlined.
"In cooperation with the incoming Czech and Swedish EU Presidencies, the Commission has planned several events dealing with issues such as the 'knowledge society', sustainable development or the impact of creative arts and industries."
"I expect top-level political support [...] from the member states and the European Parliament," the commissioner continued, stressing the "significant cross-sectoral relevance" of the year, which he said would involve all policy fields.
The European Year should complement the EU's 'New skills for new jobs' initiative, which the Commission is set to unveil later this month. The initiative will help to anticipate and provide Europe's labour market needs for 2020, Figel' explained.
"We must enhance our problem-solving capacity, in every age group, and in every place, in Europe," he stressed, hoping that next year would also trigger debates on issues that "stifle and hold back Europe's creative potential" such as excessive bureaucracy.
The commissioner has invited several well-known European personalities to become ambassadors of the year, such as former Finnish Prime Minister Esko Tapani Aho, who authored an EU report on innovation, and the chief designer of the Apple notebook, Jonathan Paul Ive. Their focus will be on raising awareness for the issues of innovation and creativity.
Today's official launch of the 2009 campaign also brings to a close the current European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, the key objective of which was promoting inter-religious dialogue, particularly between Islam and Christianity.
The official opening of the year will be celebrated on 7 January in Prague.
To read the full interview, please click here.
