Educational innovation and research from an European policy perspective Budapest 22 September 2011

1. Educational innovation and researchfrom an European policy perspectiveBudapest 22 September 2011 Maruja Gutiérrez-Díaz Ex- Senior Advisor European Commission Directorate-General Education and Culture

2. Education and innovation in EU policies • EU education and training programmes have been drivers for innovation since their start • The first Socrates programme had a specific action for innovation, ODL and new technologies: Minerva • Information Society programmes have given specific attention to education and training • Since the adoption of the revised Lisbon Strategy, 2005, all calls for proposals under Education and Training programmes have included innovation as a priority • Innovation and education have become first order priorities in European policies – Europe 2020

3. Europe 2020: A new political agenda Three overarching priorities • Smart growth: developing an economy based on knowledge and innovation. • Sustainable growth: promoting a more resource efficient, greener and more competitive economy. • Inclusive growth: fostering a high-employment economy delivering social and territorial cohesion “Knowledge is the engine for sustainable growth. In a fast-changing world, what makes the difference is education and research, innovation and creativity”

4. Education in Europe 2020:One of seven flagship initiatives and a core element of three more

5. Recent EU actions for innovation in education • Council Conclusions on Resolution on Creativity and Innovation in Education under SI presidency, 2008 (excellent background paper) • European Strategic Framework for Policy Cooperation in Education, 2009: “fourth pillar” on creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship • Focus of studies and reports on Knowledge Management for policy making (CEDEFOP, CRELL, Eurydice, IPTS) • EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology, 2008, with a specific mission of strengthening the “triangle of knowledge” E+R+i • European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009, conferences and sets of good practices on innovation, education and design thinking • EU Principles on Innovative Doctoral Training (ERA document) • Supporting growth and jobs – an agenda for the modernisation of Europe's higher education COM (2011) 567/2

6. ET 2010 Strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training  The long-term strategic objectives of EU education and training policies are: • Making lifelong learning and mobility a reality; • Improving the quality and efficiency of education and training; • Promoting equity, social cohesion and active citizenship; • Enhancing creativity and innovation, including entrepreneurship, at all levels of education and training.

7. Why a European Year of Creativity and Innovation? • To raise awareness, and to celebrate and share Europe’s creative and innovative potential past, present and future • To call for a better understanding of creativity and innovation and of their role for Europe’s social and economic competitiveness • To stimulate debate andreflection on better policy making for creativity and innovation

8. The EYCI in retrospect • Challenging settings • A time of crisis • Short preparation time • Lack of financial resources but • A successful approach • Future looking: the crisis as an opportunity • A people oriented, bottom-up initiative • A shared venture at European, national and regional levels

9. EYCI main results: supporting better policy making • EU initiatives • Creativity and innovation, including entrepreneurship, became one of four first order priority for ET2020, the strategic framework for policy cooperation in education • National initiatives • Several policy initiatives involving national governments and parliaments were reported • Strong participation at national and regional level • Manifesto of European Ambassadors • Stakeholders’ support: • Private sector initiatives supporting EYCI objectives • Strong specific support from teachers and education actors

10. Manifesto European Ambassadors for Creativity and Innovation 1. Nurture creativity in a lifelong learningprocess where theory and practice go hand in hand. 2. Make schools and universitiesplaces where students and teachers engage in creative thinking and learning by doing. 3. Transform workplacesinto learning sites. 4. Promote a strong, independent and diverse cultural sectorthat can sustain intercultural dialogue. 5. Promote scientific researchto understand the world, improve people’s lives and stimulate innovation. 6. Promote designprocesses, thinking and tools, understanding the needs, emotions, aspirations and abilities of users. 7. Support business innovationthat contributes to prosperity and sustainability.

11. Manifesto European Ambassadors for Creativity and Innovation For a new understanding of public policy: Action 1: Invest in knowledge Action 2: Reinvent education Action 3: Reward initiative Action 4: Sustain culture Action 5: Promote innovation Action 6: Think globally Action 7: Green the economy

12. Celebrating creativity and innovation 1000 events across Europe

13. A key strength: teachers’ support • An important EYCI result is the online survey carried out by IPTS and Eurydice on how teachers in Europe perceive and understand creativity, and the relevance of creativity and innovation for schools • Unprecedented level of answers: over 14.000 over four weeks • An impressive majority of the teachers surveyed (95%) believed that creativity was a fundamental skill that should be developed in school • More than half of the teachers (57%) claimed they had received training in innovative pedagogies. About 90% of respondents declared they would like to receive some further training • Three quarters of respondents (73%) stated that they needed more institutional support Creativity in Schools: A Survey of Teachers in Europe IPTS 2010

14. EYCI & eTwinning • eTwinning is a successful EU initiative, which brings together close to 140.000 teachers, active in cooperation projects over internet (2020 active as of today) • eTwinning hosts European wide communities of practice, developing peer learning via a variety of tools and activities:Teachers’ room, eT groups, Learning events… • The EYCI was a year focused on innovation and creativity at schools, which has resulted in increased awareness and efforts on these areas • eTwinning can now be described as a true pedagogical innovation lab and an effective dissemination platform

15. Modernisation of HE Key policy issues for Member States and higher education institutions: • “Stimulate the development of entrepreneurial, creative and innovation skills in all disciplines and in all three cycles, and promote innovation in higher education through more interactive learning environments and strengthened knowledge-transfer infrastructure” Supporting growth and jobs – an agenda for the modernisation of Europe's higher education systems COM (2011) 567/2

16. What next? • Education Europe: the single programme for education, training and youth • The Commission will propose a single programme for education, training and youth, with simplified entry points and management. It will focus spending on priorities such as quality and innovation in teaching, enhanced links with the world of work, and better recognition of skills gained through mobility. • It will contribute to the Bologna 20% mobility target, focussing resources on: mobility opportunities based on quality and excellence […]; intensive cooperation and capacity-building partnerships across Member States and with global partners; specific initiatives to recognise and reward excellence in teaching, and encourage student entrepreneurs and innovative university-business cooperation.

17. What next? 2. Horizon 2020: the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation • The new Horizon 2020 programme will cover all relevant EU research and innovation funding currently provided through the Seventh Research Framework Programme, the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme and other EU innovation initiatives, such as the EIT. • Horizon 2020 aims to make EU funding more attractive and easier to access. It will ensure a high degree of policy coordination and maximise synergies between initiatives, and will enable simpler, more efficient streamlined funding instruments covering the full innovation cycle.

18. Five policy conclusions • Focus on research • Focus on cooperation • Bring everybody concerned on board • Ensure articulation between public actors • Foster networking, including at international level • Invest in teacher training • Invest in communication and dissemination • Leverage the digital revolution foreducation

19. Thank you for your attention marujagutierrezdiaz@gmail.com