The Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, has invited Maria da Graça Carvalho to participate in the conference The European Institute of Innovation and Technology: Fostering Innovation and Strengthening Synergies within the EU. This takes place in Trinity College, Dublin - today and tomorrow.
In her quality as member of the ITRE committee of the European Parliament, rapporteur for the Specific Programme Implementing Horizon 2020, and Chairwoman of the EIT Governing Board, Maria da Graça Carvalho gave a keynote speech at the opening Session. Seán Sherlock T.D. - Irish Minister for Research and Innovation - will also participate in this conference.
Maria da Graça Carvalho spoke about Present and Future KICs: What makes a KIC a KIC. For the member of the European Parliament "Horizon 2020 and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology will be fundamental instruments in structuring research and innovation in Europe".
Innovation is key to placing the European Union back on track, generate long-term sustainable economic growth, tackle societal challenges and further improve Europe's standard of living. The EIT strives to become a reference model for fostering innovation in Europe. This conference represents an opportunity to share experiences with the innovation community ahead of the launch of the new call for the EIT's Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).
The event will focus on sharing EIT experiences at all three levels of the EIT "value chain": the European level, KICs and locally at Co-location Centres through impact and engagement on the European Innovation landscape.