How can Europe be at the forefront of this new world of the 21st century? How can the creative and innovative potential of Europe be better used in education, research, culture, design, business and the workplace? How can public policy at European and national level foster creativity and innovation in these fields?

Leading European personalities from various backgrounds have reflected on these questions in their role as Ambassadors for the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009. The result of this collaborative work is the Manifesto for Creativity and Innovation in Europe. Through 7 priorities and 7 lines of action, the Manifesto brings a powerful impetus for change. It will help shape the European Union's vision of the role of creativity and innovation and feed into the Union's strategy for the decade 2010-2020.

The following Ambassadors have confirmed their presence:

• Jean-Philippe Courtois (FR), president, Microsoft International

• Jordi Savall (ES), musician and professor

• Christine van Broeckhoven (BE), professor, molecular neuroscientist

• Damini Kumar (IE), designer and inventor

• Blanka Říhová (CZ), professor, microbiologist

• Leonel Moura (PT), conceptual artist

• Dominique Langevin (FR), professor, physicist

• Edward de Bono (MT), author and international speaker on creativity and lateral thinking.