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Latvia to become European centre for innovation and research for one week
While working towards becoming a global leader in research and innovation, Europe has to reach and maintain an even development among all its regions. With this in focus, 400 European leaders in research and innovation – science policy-makers, researchers and business representatives – will meet in Riga from 3 to 6 June at a unique European research and innovation event – Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE 2015). Held annually since 2010, WIRE 2015 will be hosted by the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The most significant event of WIRE 2015 is the international conference that will take place on 4-5 June at the Riga Latvian Society House (13 Merķeļa iela). The conference will highlight the challenges that European regions face while putting in practice their Smart Specialisation Strategies which determine competitiveness of a country or a region. In Latvia, the main smart specialisation fields are: knowledge–intensive bioeconomy; biomedicine, medical technology, biopharmacy and biotechnology; information and communication technologies; smart energy industry; smart materials, technology and building engineering.
WIRE 2015 will explore cooperation possibilities among a wide range of stakeholders of the research and innovation process – the academia, industry, public institutions and society. Participants will share examples of best practice and draft practical suggestions to overcome the global challenges that the European research and innovation sector faces.
“Practical innovative products, close and involved cooperation between science policy-makers and businesses, alongside effective specialisation are the main conditions for Europe to get back its leading role and to strengthen its research excellence on a global scale. With the increasing competitiveness and pressure from Asian and American regions in mind, Latvia has the great honour and responsibility to welcome the leaders in research and innovation to jointly seek ways on how to boost Europe’s innovation potential,” said Dita Traidās, Director for the Latvian State Education Development Agency.
Media are welcome to participate in the conference. For interviews and other media needs, a special Press Room will be set up at the Riga Latvian Society House. To discuss the decisions made and suggestions put forward for future cooperation, on 5 June at 11:00 a press conference will be held with Mrs Mārīte Seile, Latvian Minister for Education and Science, Mr Jānis Vucāns, Chair of the Education, Culture and Science Committee at the Latvian Parliament (Saeima), Mr Markku Markkula, President of the Committee of the Regions, and Mr Lambert van Nistelrooij, MEP, European Parliament.
Information about WIRE 2015, including detailed programme of the event is available on the conference website. The conference is organised by the Latvian State Education Development Agency in collaboration with the European Commission and the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science.
Contact
RUTA MIHALOVSKA
Research and Innovation Policy Support Unit Senior expert
+371 67785467
+371 29355004
Ruta.Mihalovska@viaa.gov.lv
