Atividade Parlamentar European Innovation debate

Maria da Graça Carvalho participated in the launch of the European Innovation debate: Nokia Innovation case studies and policy recommendations, which took place in the European Parliament. 

In the capacity of rapporteur for the simplification of the EU research and innovation programmes, and also EPP permanent rapporteur for the research area in the Budget Committee; Maria da Graça Carvalho made an intervention on the Future EU - Research and Innovation Programme.

Ms Carvalho referred particularly three main areas: the simplification process in broad terms; the major guidelines for Horizon 2020 and finally, the need for increased funding in the future budgets for EU research and innovation programmes.

Maria da Graça Carvalho outlined that "Simplification is the basis on which the future programmes must be built". Regarding to Horizon 2020, Ms. Carvalho said "we need more trust, simplicity, flexibility, and excellence based criteria"; Concerning to the European Research, The MEP said that "we cannot admit that it is chronically underfunded and that, in my opinion at least, funding in Horizon 2020 should be doubled".

The fourth quarter of 2011 is centered around the important topic of the EU Innovation Union. The European Parliament, the Council under the Polish Presidency, the Commission and the Committee of the Regions are organizing key Innovation debates from October to December. Nokia, as a leading European Innovator presented and discussed its paper on how to improve Europe's Innovation capacity covering technology, business, social and eco-Innovation with Members of the European Parliament.

Agenda:

• Welcome by Amalia Sartori, MEP
• Presentation of the Nokia Innovation paper by Erkki Ormala, Vice President, Business Environment, Nokia Corporation
• Impulse statements by MEPs - each on a different aspect of Innovation:
  • Lambert van Nistelrooij, MEP
  • Maria da Graca Carvalho, MEP  Future EU - Research and Innovation Programme
  • Anneli Jäätteenmäki, MEP
• Kaisa Olkkonen, Vice President, Corporate Relations and Responsibility, Nokia Corporation answered to questions related to the new Nokia strategy and the emergence of the Nokia Windows phone eco-system.